Natural Economy

New research to tackle cattle methane emissions in Africa

Together with the International Livestock Research Institute, SRUC has been awarded £1.5 million by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help develop a selection index for the smallholder dairy system in the hopes of breeding a more environmentally friendly dairy cow.…

SRUC
13/02/2023

Raising a glass to climate change mitigation on vineyards

Led by scientists at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), researchers are investigating what the French viticultural sector are doing to mitigate climate change.…

SRUC
31/01/2023

2023 – a big year for biodiversity

SRUC’s Thriving Natural Capital Challenge Centre has been awarded a Natural Environment Research Council grant to focus on network building for nature positive projects - between Scottish biodiversity uplift programmes happening on the ground, and the investment and private finance sector. …

Hannah Rudman
26/01/2023

Agrecalc appoints first CEO

In a major step towards becoming a spin-out company, Agrecalc, the award-winning and market-leading carbon footprint tool developed by SAC Consulting together with SRUC researchers, has appointed its first chief executive.…

SRUC
23/01/2023

Is growing potatoes sustainable and profitable?

Potatoes are an amazingly versatile food and an important part of our culture in Scotland. But is growing potatoes sustainable and profitable?…

Dr Phil Burgess
23/01/2023

Farmers urged to benchmark carbon footprint

SAC Consulting has again been awarded the government contract to conduct a nationwide survey which helps farms to save money while also benchmarking their carbon footprint and nitrate. Farms completing the Scottish Farm Business Survey will be given a full carbon footprint measurement using Agrecalc, SAC Consulting’s award-winning farm carbon calculator.…

SRUC
11/01/2023

Potato conference seeks to boost growers’ confidence amid global challenges

The ongoing impact of the war in Ukraine and the pressure of reducing carbon footprints will be on the agenda when Scotland’s biggest potato conference returns in the new year.…

SRUC
19/12/2022

Agriculture Bill provides just transition opportunity, but only if we embrace innovation

I see opportunity, particularly for rapid growth in our natural economy – but only if we take steps to act quickly, decisively and with ambition.…

Prof Wayne Powell, Principal and CEO, SRUC
13/12/2022

Supporting Scotland’s crofting communities

In all the crofting counties, SAC Consulting has a team of local, independent advisors who are well versed in the many aspects of crofting – and there are, indeed, many. Our aim in supporting this vital aspect of agriculture in Scotland is to strengthen and progress modern crofting and give crofters the advice and knowledge that will ensure that they can thrive. …

Siobhan Macdonald
09/12/2022

Diversification guide outlines steps to starting a new business

SAC Consulting – part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has created a Land-based tourism toolkit outlining different types of businesses, recommended skills and relevant course providers. The toolkit, which was funded by the University Innovation Fund, is divided into six sections which can be downloaded for free from SRUC’s website.…

SRUC
08/12/2022

Breathing life back into Scotland’s neglected crofts

SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, has recognised that legislation surrounding crofting is presenting barriers to succession planning and the team has been helping individuals to better understand their options, to maximise the potential of their croft and to support the next generation get a foot hold in the industry.…

SRUC
05/12/2022

SRUC Alliance for the Natural Economy Forum

In this blog piece by Dr Susannah Bolton, she reflects on a dinner held at Scotland House, in the City of London, where SRUC convened a group of people to discuss what a “just transition to a natural economy” really means.…

Dr Susannah Bolton
01/12/2022