21 May 2019
Long-term warming of the River Spey
River temperature influences biogeochemical processes and aquatic ecology. Sustaining cool river temperatures in Scotland is essential for aquatic ecology (including the habitat and health of Atlantic salmon (Salmo Salar) and brown trout (Salmo trutta).
1 May 2019
Scotland’s harmful acidic soils - Can liming improve cropping sustainability?
The Soil Survey of Scotland shows that large areas of Scotland have acidic soils. Soils with a pH less than 5.6 inhibit root growth, which can reduce crop yields.
23 Apr 2019
Cadmium, crabmeat and consumer health
Crabmeat is an excellent source of protein but also provides good levels of important minerals, vitamins and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. However, the meat from the brown crab (Cancer pagurus) can also contain the heavy metal cadmium, both in the white meat but especially so in the brown meat.
20 Mar 2019
Learning By Doing: Understanding and Managing for Ecological Resilience
Our natural environment is facing threats from a range of environmental drivers, including climate change, invasive non-native species, novel pests and diseases, over-exploitation, and pollution.
20 Mar 2019
Mycotoxin contamination in cereal products and human exposure from the diet
Mycotoxins are unavoidable, natural food contaminants which are produced by fungi growing on agricultural crops. Growth can occur in the field or in storage.
6 Mar 2019
Climate Change and Parasitism – Breaking the Cycle
This case study will summarise ongoing research on Teladorsagia circumcincta, one of the most common and economically important endemic parasites to control in sheep in the UK.
27 Feb 2019
Socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors in Scotland
In May 2017, the Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform announced commissioning of “research into the costs and benefits of large shooting estates to Scotland’s economy and biodiversity”1. The focus of the Cabinet Secretary’s announcement was ‘driven grouse shooting’.
28 Jan 2019
Breeding to Reduce Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle
Beef production is very important for Scotland's economy (economic output of £851 million in 2017) and for providing the high quality and iconic, ‘Scotch Beef’ brand.
14 Jan 2019
Common Interest Groups: Helping smaller businesses to succeed through partnership
The food and drink supply chain is dominated by small and micro businesses. In Scotland more than 95% of businesses in the sector employ less than 12 people. Many of these smaller companies have a common desire to grow and succeed but this can be is hampered by their size.
13 Dec 2018
The Demographic Challenges Facing Scotland's Sparsely Populated Areas
This case study summarises ongoing work exploring how changes in the population of remote and rural areas in Scotland affect the social, economic and ecological resilience of these areas.
5 Nov 2018
The economic cost of animal disease: Winners and losers from Johne’s disease
SEFARI scientists, in collaboration with other research partners, provide evidence which informs the Scottish Government about the economic consequences of animal diseases.
16 Oct 2018
The Fruits of Their Labour: Seasonal Farm Workers in Scottish Agriculture
Scotland’s agricultural sector relies heavily on seasonal non-UK workers, particularly from central and eastern Europe, to meet its labour demand. Despite their importance for this sector, there was a lack of detailed information about them This case study draws on findings from SRUC’s recent study, funded by the Scottish Government, which aimed to improve our understanding of the labour market in Scottish agriculture.
8 Oct 2018
Governing Scotland’s natural resources: are our policies sufficiently joined -up?
Decisions about natural resources need to balance multiple interests and goals in order to safeguard Scotland’s economic, social and environmental prosperity. However, many existing policies for the environment focus on separate problems, such as pro
14 Aug 2018
Citizen Science: How to Investigate Pests and Diseases Under Climate Change
We have created a state-of-the-art, and free to download, desktop app to provide climate change risk assessments for crops pests and diseases in the UK that anyone can use.
24 Jul 2018
Protecting our soil and securing the way ahead
A large proportion of the Scottish strategic road network in the Highlands is vulnerable to landslides.
25 May 2018
Food Reformulation: Making Processed Foods Healthier
This article we will explain some some of the ways we are incorporating healthy ingredients from a variety of sources into recipes to develop novel formulations of foods.
17 May 2018
Science and Innovation:The Nutrients for Growing a UK Blueberry Industry
Blueberries have gained in popularity amongst UK consumers. Currently UK blueberries supply only 5% of demand and there is a huge opportunity to increase home grown supply.
4 Apr 2018
Protein for Life – Developing food opportunities for a healthy, ageing population
'Protein for Life' is designed to identify and develop guidelines for protein products for healthy ageing (living a better, longer life) that are cost effective, sustainable and enjoyable.
28 Feb 2018
Make Innovation Happen: Helping Food and Drink Businesses Succeed
SEFARI is an important partner in ‘Make Innovation Happen’, which is an initiative coordinated by the Scotland Food and Drink Partnership.
28 Feb 2018
The Health Benefits of Dietary Fibre
SEFARI scientists are investigating the potential benefits of supplementary soluble indigestible fibres for promoting healthy weight loss.