The event will be hosted by Professor Mathew Williams, Chief Scientific Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) and will feature keynote addresses, breakout sessions, panel debate, networking and posters.
Objectives of the event:
Scottish Atlantic oak woods or temperate rainforest are rare and threatened habitats that support a vast array of biodiversity, particularly lichens and bryophytes. Much of this unique habitat was converted to conifer plantations (known as Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites – PAWS) last century for commercial timber production. Many PAWS are undergoing restoration in attempts to reinstate the former structure and functional diversity of the oakwoods.
An online tool is being developed using artificial intelligence to provide convenient access to biosecurity advice for farmers. Initial development and testing of the proof of concept has produced a shiny app.
Available at: https://epidemiology.sruc.ac.uk/shiny/apps/bitesize-biosecurity/
Castration and tail docking of lambs are commonly performed management procedures in sheep farming. These interventions aim to prevent unwanted pregnancies caused by young rams that reach puberty, and to minimise risk of blowfly strike and maggot infestation of the breech, respectively. However, the procedures themselves cause pain and hence reduce sheep welfare.
Genetic biodiversity is the fuel that drives crop improvement. However, in major cereal crops, while the traditional method of crop improvement has brought significant yield improvements over time, it has also resulted in a drastic loss of crop genetic biodiversity.
As a result, many of our crops have lost resilience, becoming potentially vulnerable to a range of stresses, from environmental factors to disease. Continued loss of genetic diversity could severely affect crop yields and threaten the sustainability of economically and socially important end uses.
The use of antimicrobials in livestock farming has proven essential for maintaining animal health, but are known to contain resistant bacteria due to the use of antimicrobials in livestock. As bacteria become resistant to these treatments, they can spread resistance genes into the wider environment when animal manure or slurry is used as fertiliser.
The 11th edition of The Spark, SEFARI Gateway’s Newsletter, an update on the latest research developments from the Scottish Government’s Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture (ENRA) strategic research programme.
Project's aim was to establish whether data are currently collected by industry bodies operating within the Scottish lamb sector on (a) the use of castration and tail docking and (b) the methods employed to perform these procedures. If such data are collected, they may offer a way for Scottish Government to benchmark current practices and to monitor future trends.
This report was funded by the Rural & Environment Science & Analytical Services Division of the Scottish Government Underpinning National Capacity Support to Policy Function.
Antibiotic usage
Posters, showcasing research across the ENRA Portfolio, submitted to and Presented at this year's ENRA Science, Evidence and Policy conference.