PrecisionBeef
Lead Research Organisation:
Scotland's Rural College
Department Name: Research
Abstract
There is ever-increasing financial pressure in the UK beef sector due to volatile feed prices, consumer requirements for cheaper produce and competitive beef imports from abroad. Optimising animal productivity is critical to maintaining a competitive and sustainable UK beef industry with production efficiency the greatest single opportunity to reduce primary production costs. At present, there is considerable inefficiency in the UK beef sector which increases variable farm costs, reduces the yearly capacity of beef finishing units, and reduces profitability due to sub-optimal marketing of animals. These inefficiencies are estimated to reduce overall profitability of the UK beef production industry by approximately £500M per year (Morrisons estimate based on their experience from their integrated beef supply chain). The reduced revenue associated with these inefficiencies arise for three main reasons: (1) retaining cattle on-farm beyond the optimum point of marketability leading to extra feed, bedding and fixed costs; (2) reductions in sale revenue due to these over-finished cattle being out of desired specification (i.e. too fat) and (3) loss of productivity and efficiency due to poor animal health.
From a biological perspective it has been shown that there is a large between-animal variation in feed efficiency; early results from the TSB-funded Net Feed Efficiency project (BIG/NFE), have suggested a variance of up to 30 percent in feed efficiency of groups of growing and finishing cattle of the same age/breed/sex. The differences between groups of more divergent genotypes might reasonably be expected to be greater still. Profitability and efficiency are also inhibited by illness, with efficiency often dropping well in advance of any clinical signs of illness.
In practice, it is difficult for farmers to measure the performance efficiency of individual animals. Currently, animal growth and performance is determined through visual assessment or by weighing the animals. However, growth rates alone are not a measure of efficiency; in order to calculate efficiency of individual animals an accurate measurement of feed input is also required.
The project addresses some of the key challenges facing the sustainable intensification of beef. The overall aim is to develop a state-of-the art solution for beef farmers to optimise the efficiency of their businesses. At the core of the project is the development of a near infra-red (NIR) system to characterise feed (dry matter content, nutritional composition) as it exits a feeder wagon. Also pivotal to the project is the development of animal-mounted sensors to measure feeding behaviour (eating and rumination patterns). The bulk feed characteristics will be integrated with the feeding behaviour data with a target of providing a robust, accurate and innovative method of determining individual animal feed intake. The final solution will be a cloud-based decision support platform integrating individual animal feed intake and behaviour data, with measures of animal performance e.g. growth rates. This will provide the support tools necessary to quantify performance and efficiency of individual animals and improve the sustainability of the production process. It is anticipated that by closely monitoring individual animals using the system proposed in this project, the finishing period of the animal will be reduced on average by 14 days, while animals performing poorly due to illness will be flagged up to the farmer allowing for earlier intervention.
From a biological perspective it has been shown that there is a large between-animal variation in feed efficiency; early results from the TSB-funded Net Feed Efficiency project (BIG/NFE), have suggested a variance of up to 30 percent in feed efficiency of groups of growing and finishing cattle of the same age/breed/sex. The differences between groups of more divergent genotypes might reasonably be expected to be greater still. Profitability and efficiency are also inhibited by illness, with efficiency often dropping well in advance of any clinical signs of illness.
In practice, it is difficult for farmers to measure the performance efficiency of individual animals. Currently, animal growth and performance is determined through visual assessment or by weighing the animals. However, growth rates alone are not a measure of efficiency; in order to calculate efficiency of individual animals an accurate measurement of feed input is also required.
The project addresses some of the key challenges facing the sustainable intensification of beef. The overall aim is to develop a state-of-the art solution for beef farmers to optimise the efficiency of their businesses. At the core of the project is the development of a near infra-red (NIR) system to characterise feed (dry matter content, nutritional composition) as it exits a feeder wagon. Also pivotal to the project is the development of animal-mounted sensors to measure feeding behaviour (eating and rumination patterns). The bulk feed characteristics will be integrated with the feeding behaviour data with a target of providing a robust, accurate and innovative method of determining individual animal feed intake. The final solution will be a cloud-based decision support platform integrating individual animal feed intake and behaviour data, with measures of animal performance e.g. growth rates. This will provide the support tools necessary to quantify performance and efficiency of individual animals and improve the sustainability of the production process. It is anticipated that by closely monitoring individual animals using the system proposed in this project, the finishing period of the animal will be reduced on average by 14 days, while animals performing poorly due to illness will be flagged up to the farmer allowing for earlier intervention.
Technical Summary
Optimising animal productivity is critical to maintaining a competitive and sustainable UK beef industry with production efficiency the greatest single opportunity to reduce primary production costs. There is considerable inefficiency in the beef sector which increases variable farm costs, reduces the yearly capacity of finishing units, and reduces profitability due to sub-optimal marketing of animals. The reduced revenue associated with these inefficiencies arise for 3 main reasons; (1) retaining cattle on-farm beyond the optimum point of marketability leading to extra feed, bedding and fixed costs; (2) reductions in sale revenue due to these over-finished cattle being out of desired specification; (3) loss of productivity and efficiency due to poor animal health.
The aim is to develop a state-of-the art solution for beef farmers to optimise their business efficiency. At the core of the project is the development of a near infra-red (NIR) system to characterise feed (dry matter content, nutritional composition) as it exits a feeder wagon. Also pivotal to the project is the development of animal-mounted sensors to measure feeding behaviour (eating and rumination patterns). The bulk feed characteristics will be integrated with the feeding behaviour data with a target of providing a robust, accurate and innovative method of determining individual animal feed intake. The final solution will be a cloud-based decision support platform integrating individual animal feed intake and behaviour data, with measures of animal performance. This will provide the support tools necessary to quantify performance and efficiency of individual animals and improve the sustainability of the production process. It is anticipated that by closely monitoring individual animals using the proposed system, the finishing period of the animal will be reduced on average by 14 days, while animals performing poorly dues to illness will be flagged up to the farmer allowing for earlier intervention.
The aim is to develop a state-of-the art solution for beef farmers to optimise their business efficiency. At the core of the project is the development of a near infra-red (NIR) system to characterise feed (dry matter content, nutritional composition) as it exits a feeder wagon. Also pivotal to the project is the development of animal-mounted sensors to measure feeding behaviour (eating and rumination patterns). The bulk feed characteristics will be integrated with the feeding behaviour data with a target of providing a robust, accurate and innovative method of determining individual animal feed intake. The final solution will be a cloud-based decision support platform integrating individual animal feed intake and behaviour data, with measures of animal performance. This will provide the support tools necessary to quantify performance and efficiency of individual animals and improve the sustainability of the production process. It is anticipated that by closely monitoring individual animals using the proposed system, the finishing period of the animal will be reduced on average by 14 days, while animals performing poorly dues to illness will be flagged up to the farmer allowing for earlier intervention.
Planned Impact
The following areas will benefit from the proposed research:
1. UK beef producers
a. The proposed system will allow farmers to identify inefficient and poorly performing animals and help them to make informed decisions to increase the overall efficiency of their beef production unit.
b. The system will allow farmers to accurately measure the composition of the diet given to each group of animals and allow for more accurate formation of diets to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the animals.
c. Use of the proposed system will allow the farmer to optimally market their animals (i.e. to meet optimum market specification). This will reduce the number of animals kept on farm beyond their optimal point of marketability, thus reducing finishing times on average. This will reduce the variable costs associated with beef production (such as feeding and bedding) and allow for a higher throughput of animals through finishing units, thus optimising the productive output and improving the economics of their business. It will also prevent abattoir cost-penalties associated with over-finished (i.e. too fat) animals.
d. As the UK commercial partners will have first access to the technology they will be the first to benefit. Reducing farm costs should increase the competitiveness of the UK beef industry and make their products more competitive against foreign competitors.
2. Meat processers
a. By sourcing animals from producers using the proposed system, meat processers will receive animals which are optimally finished, with more desirable carcass conformation and fat grades and killing-out percentage. This will lead to more efficient processing with reduced labour requirements to trim fat from over-fat animals and reduce costs associated with fat disposal.
b. Sourcing animals finished using this system will also allow for increased uniformity of the product for retail, as the animals will be marketed at the optimal market specification.
3. Consumers
a. The use of this system will likely result in cheaper beef being available to the consumer as variable costs during the production process will be reduced.
b. Cheaper UK beef will make it easier for consumers to choose local products over foreign alternatives.
4. The UK
a. The technological systems proposed will enhance the economic efficiency of UK beef production, thus increasing the sectors competitiveness over imported beef and guaranteeing the sustainability of the UK beef industry.
b. Reduced production costs and efficient production methods could enhance the reputation of UK beef and increase the value of UK beef exports.
c. There will be a reduced environmental footprint from more efficient beef production, reduced farm resources and reduced abattoir waste. The quantity of beef produced per unit of greenhouse gas will be reduced.
d. Increasing the profitability of the UK beef farming sector will lead to social benefits including enhanced rural employment.
5. Animal welfare
a. Increased monitoring of animal performance will allow for poorly performing animals to be identified earlier. Poor performance often manifests through ill health, often before the clinical signs of illness become apparent. Therefore, the use of this system will allow for illnesses to be detected and treated earlier, thus reducing the negative impacts of illness (in cost and waste).
1. UK beef producers
a. The proposed system will allow farmers to identify inefficient and poorly performing animals and help them to make informed decisions to increase the overall efficiency of their beef production unit.
b. The system will allow farmers to accurately measure the composition of the diet given to each group of animals and allow for more accurate formation of diets to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the animals.
c. Use of the proposed system will allow the farmer to optimally market their animals (i.e. to meet optimum market specification). This will reduce the number of animals kept on farm beyond their optimal point of marketability, thus reducing finishing times on average. This will reduce the variable costs associated with beef production (such as feeding and bedding) and allow for a higher throughput of animals through finishing units, thus optimising the productive output and improving the economics of their business. It will also prevent abattoir cost-penalties associated with over-finished (i.e. too fat) animals.
d. As the UK commercial partners will have first access to the technology they will be the first to benefit. Reducing farm costs should increase the competitiveness of the UK beef industry and make their products more competitive against foreign competitors.
2. Meat processers
a. By sourcing animals from producers using the proposed system, meat processers will receive animals which are optimally finished, with more desirable carcass conformation and fat grades and killing-out percentage. This will lead to more efficient processing with reduced labour requirements to trim fat from over-fat animals and reduce costs associated with fat disposal.
b. Sourcing animals finished using this system will also allow for increased uniformity of the product for retail, as the animals will be marketed at the optimal market specification.
3. Consumers
a. The use of this system will likely result in cheaper beef being available to the consumer as variable costs during the production process will be reduced.
b. Cheaper UK beef will make it easier for consumers to choose local products over foreign alternatives.
4. The UK
a. The technological systems proposed will enhance the economic efficiency of UK beef production, thus increasing the sectors competitiveness over imported beef and guaranteeing the sustainability of the UK beef industry.
b. Reduced production costs and efficient production methods could enhance the reputation of UK beef and increase the value of UK beef exports.
c. There will be a reduced environmental footprint from more efficient beef production, reduced farm resources and reduced abattoir waste. The quantity of beef produced per unit of greenhouse gas will be reduced.
d. Increasing the profitability of the UK beef farming sector will lead to social benefits including enhanced rural employment.
5. Animal welfare
a. Increased monitoring of animal performance will allow for poorly performing animals to be identified earlier. Poor performance often manifests through ill health, often before the clinical signs of illness become apparent. Therefore, the use of this system will allow for illnesses to be detected and treated earlier, thus reducing the negative impacts of illness (in cost and waste).
Publications
Michie C
(2020)
The Internet of Things enhancing animal welfare and farm operational efficiency.
in The Journal of dairy research
Davison C
(2021)
Predicting feed intake using modelling based on feeding behaviour in finishing beef steers.
in Animal : an international journal of animal bioscience
| Description | The project has developed animal-mounted (collar-mounted) sensor technology for the beef production sector to predict eating and rumination behaviours on an individual animal basis. We have quantified for the first time the degree of precision that individual animal feed intake can be estimated from feeding time budgets measured using animal-mounted technology and machine learning methods (publication at final stages of peer review - Journal "Animal"). We are progressing this work to calculate the feed efficiency, using integrated data streams (feeding behaviour, feed characterisation and growth) which was in essence, the goal behind the project. While there remains work to be done to improve on the overall prediction accuracy, we have demonstrated that high performing animals can be identified within the herd using animal-mounted technology and integrated data. This aligns entirely with what was proposed within the application and is of strong interest to industry partners Afimilk , Harbro and Keenan. |
| Exploitation Route | This project has developed a solution which can be directly applied to the industry to improve overall efficiency and sustainability of the beef production sector. Uptake will rely on effective dissemination. Throughout the entire duration of this project, the project team have been engaged in disseminating the project findings through various mechanisms (open days, workshops, industry events, scientific meetings, media, demonstration farms) which should continue beyond project completion. We have been engaging with the Agri-EPI centre to install the developed technology on their wide network of satellite farms throughout the UK and internationally (e.g. New Zealand, Paraguay, China) and this is ongoing. This provides an excellent platform to demonstrate the benefits of the proposed system on commercial farms. Scientific dissemination is important through the publication of results in peer reviewed journals. This is an industry led project, and as such the publication of results has been commercially sensitive. We now have a strong publication plan in place with full support from the academic and industry partners in the project. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Description | This project has validated animal-mounted sensor estimates of animal behavioural states such as eating and rumination. Collar-mounted sensors are now sold commercially across the UK and internationally to inform on feeding behaviour of individual animals (beef and dairy cattle). This is providing an important health alert and early warning system for producers. We have now also assessed (and published the results) model development for individual animal feed intake. We have demonstrated moderate accuracy of predicting feed intake. Accurate measurements of feed intake are necessary for measurement of individual animal feed efficiency within a herd. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | D-FLOWS: Data For Livestock Optimisations for Wiser Supply chains |
| Amount | £197,500 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 10006488 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2022 |
| End | 06/2023 |
| Description | Identifying research priorities for the use of Agri-tech to improve productivity efficiency and sustainability in beef & sheep livestock production systems |
| Amount | £9,949 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes Gateway |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Start | 02/2020 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | OPTI-BEEF: Precision agricultural solution to monitor lifetime productivity and product quality |
| Amount | £1,275,293 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 105146 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) Technologies to Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Intensity of Pasture-based Cattle Systems |
| Amount | £250,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Department For Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (DEFRA) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| End | 09/2022 |
| Description | SEFARI Fellowship with Life Sciences Scotland Industry Leadership Group - Animal Health, Agritech and Aquaculture sub-group |
| Amount | £14,296 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Scottish Environment, Food and Agriculture Research Institutes Gateway |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Start | 01/2021 |
| End | 03/2022 |
| Description | SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE RESEARCH INNOVATION CLUB (SARIC) |
| Amount | £202,100 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | NE/P008011/1 |
| Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2017 |
| End | 08/2018 |
| Description | WELL-CALF: Precision agricultural solution to improve health and productivity across the dairy-beef sector |
| Amount | £743,953 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 105143 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 04/2021 |
| Description | Agri-EPI Centre Ltd |
| Organisation | Cranfield University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Successfuly bid for one of the new UK Centres for Agricultural Innovation |
| Collaborator Contribution | Jont lead |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Agri-EPI Centre Ltd |
| Organisation | Harper Adams University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Assimilated into a joint bid for funding into the UK Centres of Agriculural Innovation call and were successful |
| Collaborator Contribution | Joint leads |
| Impact | None yet |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | Measuring beef performance variabilty across New Zealand |
| Organisation | Massey University |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Massey University are engaging with technology developed within Precision Beef (and other projects that Carol-Anne Duthie and Dave Ross have been directly involved in) to monitor the performance efficiency of the beef and dairy sectors across New Zealand. Alongside some innovate UK funds, this has facilitated a new active collaboration between SRUC and Massey University. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This collaboration with Massey University has provided access to a network of researchers working in different farming systems in New Zealand, access to new ideas and different technologies and access to a network of farms in New Zealand to apply and demonstrate the developments achieved within our own research activities in the UK. |
| Impact | The collaboration is multi-disciplinary involving the following partners: SRUC (animal science, UK beef and dairy production systems, precision livestock farming, data analytics); Massey University (Animal science, pasture management, New Zealand farming systems, precision technologies for agriculture); University of Strathclyde (electronics and engineering); Innovent Technologies Ltd (3D imaging systems); afimilk (animal-mounted sensors) and Gallaghers (animal handling and automated weighing systems). Outputs demonstrated the use of collar-mounted technologies in beef and dairy (with an aligned PhD student), and development of auto-weighing technology/combined with 3D imaging for use in grazing systems. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Writtle University College |
| Organisation | Writtle College |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | A direct result of this grant has allowed a new collaboration between ourselves (SRUC) and Writtle University College. Each bring skills associated with different technologies and a common interest in solving important challenges across the beef and dairy sectors - specifically losses around poor calving's. This has allowed for the integration of different technologies, which would not have occurred without this new working relationship. The research team at SRUC have contributed long-standing skills in the use of animal-mounted sensors (in this case specifically related to accelerometry) in predicting important features of the animal (activity monitoring, feeding behaviours, tail raise behaviours). SRUC have facilitated the involvement of commercial company afimilk whom SRUC have a long-standing history in working with to develop the silent herdsman platform. SRUC have also provided access to their state-of-the art research farm facilities and research/technical expertise. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The research team at Writtle university college have provided expertise in the area of positional location and have facilitated the involvement of commercial company Omnisense who have provided access to their multi-sensor technology platform. The integration of multiple data streams from different platforms (Omnisense and Afimilk) are being used to improve and optimise our predictions of calving to overcome the huge losses we see at calving. Writtle university college have provided access to a commercial dairy unit for testing of the multi-sensor platform. |
| Impact | This research project is in the early stages with promising results. However, these are not ready for wider dissemination. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | AHDB (agriculture and horticulture development board) visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of the AHDB Board to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | AgResearch Scientists - Tour of facilities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of the AgResearch Scientists (from New Zealand) to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Agritours visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre - virginiatech students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre for undergraduate students from virginiatech to understand SRUCs research activity in beef and sheep production systems. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Attendance at NFUS Livestock Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Attendance at NFUS Livestock Committee to discuss current research at SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | Biosensing in Livestock - Knowedge Transfer workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Keynote presentation on novel methods of precision measurement for livestock |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | CIEL and Department of International Trade - Visit to SRUC's Beef and Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of CIEL (centre for innovation and excellence in livestock) and the department of international trade to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Crowder College, USA Student visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Visit of Crowder College Students to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities - part of a UK-wide study tour. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | DEFRA Deputy Minister Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit of DEFRA deputy minister to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit of Department of Agricutlture, Environment and Rural Affairs to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | European Association of Animal Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Keynote talk at European Conference, since led to mutiple European contacts and and interest in project activity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.eaap2015.org/ |
| Description | Host - visitors from ICAR (International Committee for Animal Recording) conference to SRUC to dicuss Precision tools for livestock producers - 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hosted a visit for delegates of the International committee on animal recording (ICAR) to demonstrate and discuss and present the precision livestock farming developments taking place at SRUC. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Interview with reporter (Western Poducer, Canada) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Visit and Interview for Western Producer, Canada's largest farm newspaper. Barbara Duckworth (reporter) prepared a news article following discussions with Carol-Anne Duthie titled "Data used to help producers select for efficiency". |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invitation to presenting to QMS sheep strategy group and board member meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of SRUC's research activity, particularly in precision livestock farming to both QMS sheep strategy group and board members. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Invited conference speaker - European Association of Animal Production 2017 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | An invited talk was presented to the precision livestock farming session at the European Association of Animal Production (EAAP) in Tallin, Estonia 2017. This provided an international platform to present SRUC's research activity in the development and application of precision tools for the ruminant sector. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Invited talk for Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) event: Emerging Imaging Technologies in Agri-Food Workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | KTN organised a workshop in January 2018 to bring together experts from the imaging and agri-food sectors to discuss industry needs, technological gaps and potential opportunities for emerging imaging technologies in agri-food. In addition to participation in this workshop, Carol-Anne Duthie presented SRUC's research in the development and application of precision tools for the livestock sector (ruminant and monogastrics). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Involvedment in Innovate UK's expert mission in agritech to new zealand |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Carol-Anne Duthie joined a small delegation organised by KTN with funding from Innovate UK to understand the research landscape in new Zealand, challenges in agriculture within new zealand and opportunities for collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Membership of KTN's Livestock Advisory Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Carol-Anne Duthie, Joined KTN's Animal Sector Advisory Board. Activity includes participation in quarterly board meetings and presentation to the board on key areas of research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Open day with Defra Colleagues |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Formal event with colleagues from Defra, where modelling activities associated with precision livestock farming technology was presented to Defra (Holly Ferguson, Carol-Anne Duthie), 14th and 15th November 2022. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Participation - Workshop on Data flow from livestock sensors to improve meat safety, animal health and welfare and productivity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | FSA organised event (invite only). Participated in engaging discussions to (I) identifying what combination of parameters would give the best predictive power about the health status of an animal, e.g. to allow targeted interventions by abattoir managers and officials. Understanding current methods of detection for the parameters identified, with a particular focus on sensor and data analysis technologies, but also exploring other relevant technologies. Developing ways to detect and measure identified parameters. ii) Establish optimal methods to connect data from sensors on groups of animals to veterinary records (e.g. feed intake, feed composition, breeding data, veterinary medicines, etc.) and abattoirs. Developing a model to easily integrate the data, ensuring continuous flow of information to enable changes to be introduced, e.g. in farm husbandry practices, abattoir interventions, official controls, etc. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Participation in a virtual joint meeting between SRUC, Embassy of Argentina in London and INTA (Argentina) - discuss research areas/capabilities/potential collaborations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | One of few key members of staff participating in a virtual joint meeting between SRUC, Embassy of Argentina in London and INTA (Argentina). The key ambition was to discuss current/recent research at SRUC and INTA, discuss research capabilities and potential for collaboration between the two organisations/countries. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Participation in workshop for EU funded project smartcow, presentation of SRUC's precision livestock farming research activity. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Participation in EU funded workshop / study tour - SmartCow consortium which represents international members. Stakeholders from a range of international agriculture companies were present including national media. Study tour involved a presentation on a range of SRUC's research activities and visit to SRUC's research facilities (beef, sheep and dairy). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Participatory Research Activity - AgriScot November 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conducted a participatory research activity at AgriScot in November 2022 to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the beef, sheep and dairy sectors in Scotland. Engagement was focussed on farmers, but also extended to industry representatives. Alongside further planned participatory activities, the data will be mined to understand sector inefficiencies, opportunities for technology/data driven solutions and barriers to technology adoption across these sectors. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Precision Agriculture delegation organised by the Science and Innovation Network: British High Commission, Delhi |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Participated in an event where SRUC hosted a Precision Agriculture delegation organised by the Science and Innovation Network: British High Commission, Delhi. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation for the Animal Health, Agriculture and Aquaculture sector group: Improving awareness and links for innovation capacity in Scotland" |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Jenna Bowen presented on behalf of the AA3 (Animal Health, Agritech and Aquaculture) sector group to describe innovation capacity in Scotland. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Researchers from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and University of Stirling Visit to SRUC's Beef and Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of research staff from the Centre for Ecology and Hydroology and the University of Stirling to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research, facilities and future collaborations. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |
| Description | Roseanna Cunningham MSP - Visit to SRUC's Beef Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit of MSP to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Royal Highland Show - Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Royal Highland Show (Edinburgh, Scotland) is one of the highlights of the agricultural calendar in the UK, and every year SRUC actively participate in this event. Staff members from SRUC showcase the research, education and consulting divisions. Myself and team members actively engage in this event to promote and discuss the research we do to the general public aswell as the farming industry and policy makers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
| Description | Senior Researchers from University of Guelph Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit of senior staff from the University of Guelph to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research, facilities and potential collaborations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | SmartCow Study Tour - Tour of facilities |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of the EU SmartCow project study tour to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Student visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Undergraduate student visit from Glynllifon Agricultural College, North Wales to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to understand research activity. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Teagasc Ballyhaise College Students and Irish Farmers Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Visit of Teagasc Ballyhaise College Students and Irish Farmers SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | University of Arkansas (USA) student visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | University of Arkansas (USA) student visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | University of Kassel (Germany) Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | University of Kassel (Germany) visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre to discuss past and current research and facilities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Use of Sensors and Communication Devices in Agriculture workshop - participation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Satellite Applications Catapult held a workshop on current farming practices involving data gathering and processing. It will also describe communications technologies used to transfer in-field data to the internet. SRUC research activities were covered in presentations provided at the event. Approx 80 individuals from across academia and industry attended the event, which facilitated collaborative discussion. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - AgResearch - September 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Hosted visit by AgResearch Colleagues (New Zealand) - to discuss research activities of common interest - focus on AgriTech solutions for pasture. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - Barclays Eagle Labs - October 2022 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Hosted visit by Barclays Eagle Labs - particular focus on AgriTech and Data-driven solutions for Livestock production. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport - March 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Facility to discuss research activities (particular focus on Innovations for Net Zero in Agriculture). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - Harper Adams Students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Farm visit by Harper Adams students interested in technology - February 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - Scottish Government and SAC consulting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre from Scottish Government and SAC consulting colleagues to discuss current research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre - University of Edinburgh Global Academy students (3 visits) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | University of Edinburgh student visit (3 visits) to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre to discuss current research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre fro the planetary health alliance |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Visit of members of the planetary health alliance to SRUC's beef and sheep research centre. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC;s Beef and Sheep Research Centre - Centre for Ecology and Hydrology |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Visit to SRUC's Beef and Sheep Research Centre to discuss potential areas of engagement / multidisciplinary research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Visit to SRUC;s Beef and Sheep Research Centre - RESAS colleagues |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Visit to SRUC Beef and Sheep Research facility by RESAS colleagues - March 2023 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Webinar - Future Livestock Technologies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Webinar to discuss the future of livestock production through the use of precision livestock farming techniques. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| Description | participation and invited talk - KTN workshop on robotics and artifical intelligence in the agri-food sector |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Participation in KTN organised workshop on robotics and artificial intelligence in the agri-tech sector. Invited talk to discuss challenges associated with livestock production in the UK and how technology can be used to overcome some of these challenges. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |