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The aim of this work is to develop novel approaches to improve the understating of environmental and management controls of nitrous oxide emissions from the soils, and to improve the estimation of methane emissions from grazing cattle and sheep. The work also aims to provide policy and practical guidelines to greenhouse gas mitigation in Scottish farming, through a wide process of engagement with key stakeholders. The research builds on previous work within the RESAS Strategic Programme and on collaborations with UK and International partners.
The Sustainable Soil and Water Management Deliverable has three broad aims. First, we will generate new knowledge to help enhance the sustainable use and management of soils and water in agricultural systems whilst reducing environmental impact. Work will be informed by the application of existing and novel models, soil management interventions, plant genotypes and soil quality indicators. Second, we will deliver improved management packages that will optimise productivity with reduced inputs of energy, traffic and agrochemicals, while enhancing soil quality and function, as well as reducing
Disease Threats in the Environment: Investigate the importance of the environment in disease transmission and host susceptibility to improve risk prediction and ultimately disease control. This aligns with the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) strategy and will contribute towards the vison for capacity building and further integration. The work is split into four main objectives: (1) wildlife ecology; (2) the impact of farm management practices on disease risk; (3) a role for the environment on disease transmission; and (4) systems approaches for disease control.
We aim to address a research gap by suggesting how policy can be designed to target maximum diversity conservation (including co-benefits) at minimum cost; where cost and benefits are both financial and social. Sub-objectives are: demonstrate the extent to which this diversity objective corresponds to (or accommodates) a demand for other socially and culturally relevant objectives that also contribute to resilience such as maintaining population structures, health/welfare, cultural value of rare breeds and landraces in marginal areas. consider how modern DNA technologies can contribute to
To improve livestock for traits and management practices important for sustainability of livestock farming at an animal and farm system level. The work will focus on improving animal health and welfare, improving the quality and health attributes of meat and milk products, and increasing animal/farm system resilience (i.e. the ability of animals or management systems to cope with stresses such as infectious diseases, behavioural stresses or changes in climate). An integral component of this RD is the development of novel biomarkers for difficult-to-record traits such as resilience to parasite
The aim of this RD is to improve livestock production, efficiency and welfare, whilst decreasing the use of resources and impact on the environment. This will be achieved using current and next generation tools, focussing on genomics and targeted gene approaches for production (growth, efficiency), maternal and health characteristics (including economically important endemic diseases). Advances in genetics include the use of genome wide selection (GWS), the application of which in some plant and livestock species shows that improvements can be substantially enhanced over and above the use of
Animal-based strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant livestock: The aim of this work is to address major knowledge gaps in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock by investigating the effects of different grassland management systems, the rumen microbiome (the microbes that normally inhabit the gut), endemic diseases and host genetics on methane production and emissions intensity.
Adrian Newton is a cereal pathologist by training but his current research spans broader aspects of arable crops in the context of integrated crop management. Adrian’s research interests in cereal pathogens continue, including Ramularia collo-cygni (Ramularia Leaf Spot). The crop diversity interest has taken more of an ecological focus working with Hutton colleagues and others, and has encompassed intercropping, especially cereal-legume combinations for both biomass (wholecrop) and grain. His IPM interests in general have included soil cultivation, particularly the effects of non-inversion
Iain leads BioSS activities in the area of Animal Health and Welfare. As part of this. He manages BioSS consultancy inputs to the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department Research Programme 2: "Profitable and Sustainable Agriculture – Animals", as well as consultancy contracts relating to animal science from other organisations. In recent years our clients have included the Institute for Animal Health, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Deer Commission Scotland and a number of commercial companies. Iain's team of BioSS consultants and himself have extensive experience in the