Representatives from Teagasc visited Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) in Edinburgh to discuss future collaboration opportunities for the two organisations.
The meeting involved discussions around Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), where knowledge generated through research can be focused and applied through a regional advisory service.
The Scottish government is currently carrying out a consultation into Scotland’s AKIS, with a view to implementing changes to the Agriculture Support Package beyond 2027.
The meeting also covered opportunities to collaborate on work in Europe, including with Horizon Europe and the European Alliance for the Natural Economy.
Director of Teagasc, professor Frank O’Mara said: “The agriculture and food industry is very important for both countries, and we can learn a lot from constructively cooperating and working together, on issues of common interest to Teagasc and SRUC.”
SRUC
During the meeting of the two organisations, Teagasc visited SRUC’s Easter Howgate Farm to see the GreenCow facility, which is used to measure gas emissions from cattle and sheep.
A range of studies have either been completed or are underway in the GreenCow facility, including counteracting the effect of fibrous diets causing high methane emissions.
Teagasc also visited the new GreenShed building, which will power a methane capturing system and grow indoor crops.
The system will also produce low-carbon fertiliser and has the potential to remove the equivalent of 237 tonnes of carbon dioxide per farm per year.
GreenShed has received nearly £3 million from the Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal programme, part of the UK government’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio.
Principal and chief executive of SRUC, Professor Wayne Powell said: “Both Teagasc and SRUC have a research focus which reflects the importance of systems and supply chains and the links between a healthy planet, healthy agriculture and healthy food, and therefore we have a great deal to learn from each other.”