SRUC

The Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was launched in 2012 to support and energise on-farm learning-by-sharing and thus to enhance farming progress.

The Agricultural Universities Council (AUC-UK) is a collaboration of the UK universities with agricultural schools or departments. AUC-UK works together to coordinate our teaching and research, to make the biggest contribution we can to a resilient and sustainable future for agriculture, land management and food systems.

Nitrogen Efficient Plants for Climate Smart Arable Cropping Systems (NCS) is a four-year £5.9M ambitious research programme involving 200 UK farms and 18 partners. The project is funded by the Defra Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK. The consortium of UK companies, research institutes and farmer networks, led by PGRO, aims to bring about a reduction of 1.5Mt CO₂e per annum or 54% of the maximum potential for UK Agriculture. This will be achieved by increasing pulse and legume cropping in arable rotations to 20% across the UK (currently 5%). In addition, 50% of imported soya meal used in livestock rations will be replaced with home-grown feeds.  Both of these ambitious aims will be steered by science and proven by real farm enterprises, with significant benefits for both crop and livestock productivity, including cost savings of over £1bn/yr.

Farmers taking part in and getting paid for on-farm trials as part of the NCS Project.

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Soil health has been broken down into measurable parts to help farmers optimise crop and grassland productivity. As part of the Soil Biology and Soil Health Partnership, a project in the AHDB & BBRO GREAT Soils programme, guidance and protocols have been issued to help practitioners benchmark their soils

The development of a forage network which will recommend a pathway to gaining optimum benefits from forages through realistic actions​. This project, which runs from September 2023 for 6 months, will: Bring together a network of stakeholders to understand the best approach for improving forage systems, considering potential opportunities and barriers to uptake​ Create a roadmap, which can be used to achieve benefits for livestock sectors through changes in forage systems​

Food, farming and land use need to undergo rapid and sustained change if the world is to address climate, biodiversity and health crises. This transformation requires changes in policy, yet will also rely on the actions of farmers and land managers on the ground. Their knowledge, skills and motivations, and those of their advisors, are crucial to success. This retreat provided an opportunity for educators who lead agriculture degree courses to share resources and inject fresh content into their courses. This retreat was funded by the Aurora Trust and The Mark Leonard Trust.

The VESS is a semi-formal approach to assessing soil structure, first developed by SRUC.

Farm carbon calculator to lower emissions and increase productivity

Helping you protect your soil and improve its productivity.  AHDB's GREATSoils inititiative brings together practical information on soil management as well as links to soils research and knowledge exchange. Whether you need an introduction to soil biology or a detailed guide to improving field drainage, AHDB has information and guidance to support you. 

The British Farm Data Council is an independent not-for-profit group. Providing thought leadership and direction, seeking the gold standard for the British agrifood sector on standards and principles of farm data governance.

Roger Sylvester-Bradley      Tuesday 31st January 2023   It’s news across the world – the biggest wheat crop ever grown, yielding 18 tonnes of grain per hectare! This is fantastic, and laudable in all respects, but it’s no accident.    

The Cereal YEN was established in 2012, and is the longest-running Yield Enhancement Network.

A transdisciplinary hub looking to provide to bridge the gap between science and policy to achieve Net Zero

The IPM Network pilot year kick-off meeting was held in February 2024. We were joined by a range of stakeholders to share IPM experiences, and tap into the expertise of speakers and demonstrate the value of networks for knowledge exchange.  

Guidance from AHDB GREATSoils giving four easy-to-follow steps for assessing soil structure. 

This article gives two case studies on how the Viability Indicator can be used, provides links to the full information (so far!) and invites feedback.

Together, we’re creating plausible pathways, and practical, open science, to achieve Net Zero through the Agrifood system by 2050.

Scientific paper in Carbon Management, Nov 2022.

Farmers Weekly article by Mike Abram exploring four carbon calculators

Create IPM plans for your farm

There has been plenty of good analysis of why agri-food innovation is slow to make progress and often great science is not adopted. Rather than ‘more research’ we need better targeted research. We also need to spend existing money more efficiently and that is the focus of the actions outlined. My plan is informed by over 45 years of being fully immersed in our agricultural community and working at the interface of practical farming, research and government. Rather than another analysis of what is wrong it deliberately aims to focus on actions that I believe will move a great industry full of committed people forward to create a resilient industry that efficiently feeds the growing population and enhances the environment.   This content was originally published on LinkedIn at Action plan to deliver impact from UK agricultural R&D. Please add any comment to that post.

Funded by AHDB and BBRO, this five-year Soil Biology and Soil Health Partnership is a cross-sector programme of research and knowledge exchange. The programme is designed to help farmers and growers maintain and improve the productivity of UK agricultural and horticultural systems, through better understanding of soil biology and soil health. See https://ahdb.org.uk/soil-biology-and-soil-health-partnership

Scientia potentia est: knowledge is power. But understanding empowers. The purpose of the Legume Hub is to empower all interested in the development of legume crop production and use by providing access to validated knowledge. It is a platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and successful practices across value chains, from plant breeding, on-farm activities, through to processing and consumption.

YEN      Friday 3rd January 2023   Russ McKenzie awarded YEN's Innovator of the Year in 2022 at the 10th Anniversary YEN Conference.

Sarah Clarke      Friday 3rd January 2023   Excellent grain quality as well as high yields were celebrated at the YEN 10th Anniversary Conference, with the Milling Quality Awards sponsored by UK Flour Millers. All UK Group 1 milling wheat entries were eligible for this competition, a total of 20 for 2022.

Though peas and beans have long been a trusted part of cropping rotations, it is perhaps only recently that the scope and value of their potential is being realised.

Farmers working with scientists to achieve the best from pulse crops and reduce their carbon emissions.

Measurements of N2O were made using static flux chambers for a 24 month period from sowing to 12 months after harvest.

This guide intends to highlight to farmers and crofters who are considering sowing a grassland herbal lay what species to consider.

This paper aims to summarize the evidence base concerning carbon storage in pasture land used for livestock production.

The aim of this guide is to aid decision making for livestock producers who are looking to outwinter stock and what systems may best suit their farm.

Catch crops are grown post-harvest or following silage, these crops hunt nutrients to reduce leaching from the soil while also allowing cover for the soil which prevents erosion.

Interested in learning more about home grown protein crops but don’t know where to look?

This report aims to provide new insights into the economic contribution that the Scottish potato sector makes beyond the often cited farmgate value of potato production.

UK feeding industries rely heavily on imported soya bean meal (SBM) as the main protein source in monogastric feeds, including for pigs.

Forage first sheep systems seek to optimise lamb production from pasture to minimise costs.

Help us to understand attitudes towards SFI schemes and IPM uptake by completing this survey. Anyone completing the survey is entitled to claim a £10 voucher.

This guidance documents provides advice on IPM measures for pulses insect pests and diseases.

Multi-species grassland leys in crop rotations can improve soil quality and nutrient efficiency, particularly with legume inclusion, which enhances nitrogen availability and reduces the need for mineral fertilisers. 

This landmark conference (January 22, 2025) will explore innovative strategies to increase pulse production and use in livestock diets. Register HERE

FAS TV is a weekly show designed for farmers and crofters which recreates traditional on-farm visits.

In this case study, we describe field investigations of liver fluke risk to livestock associated with grazing under two different agri-environmental schemes and discuss best practice for conservation grazing and sustainable fluke control.

Final report of the Green Pig project

Rural Policy Centre Research Briefing.

The following information from SRUC summarises their approach to research in livestock genetics and genomics. 

This document from SRUC summarises scientific and practical information on characteristics to consider when selecting varieties for organic farming. The information is based on variety trials.

About 57 percent of the soybeans imported by the UK for animal feed comes from Brazil.

Technical guide publshed by BASF in collaboration with ADAS, NIAB, SRUC and Teagasc on how to grow barley

This project evaluates ten candidate soil health indicators for their suitability, evidence base and practical application to monitor soil health changes in UK farming systems. An interpretation framework for the top ranked indicators will be created. ORC are leading the management, knowledge exchange, and delivery of the shortlist of early indicators of soil health in the project, while SRUC are leading on the interpretation framework.

This SRUC guide provides practical advice on growing Organic Oilseed Rape in Scotland. The principles of this guide apply to organic Oilseed Rape growth in the whole of the UK and other locations.

Using beans to rebuild rotational performance after stewardship.

Can home-grown faba beans substitute soya in the broiler ration?

How is broiler performance affected when soya is partially replaced by faba beans?