Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust has a vision for a thriving countryside rich in game and other wildlife. Using its experience and reputation built over almost 100 years of working with people in the countryside, the GWCT is committed to developing the science that underpins game, wildlife and fisheries management.
Our values:
- Committed to conservation
- Following the science
- Collaboration
- Pride in our approach
- Putting people first
Ellie Raynor, Ecologist at the GWCT, said: “To meet the challenges of sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, we must work with industry specialists to explore innovative solutions. This project is an excellent example of collaborating with like-minded passionate individuals, all wanting to come together to tackle challenges in the UK upland farming sector.”
National Sheep Association
National Sheep Association is the UK’s leading membership organisation representing the views and interests of sheep farmers. Its vision is to support sheep farmers with increased knowledge exchange opportunities and increase aspiration for adoption of good practice in the sector. It also aims to ensure those not directly involved in the sheep sector maintain awareness of the contribution sheep make to society. NSA has a strong communication network (UK sheep farmers, affiliated breed societies, corporate sponsors, etc), putting it in a strong position to provide expert advice, deliver key knowledge exchange activities, and provide a strong interaction with industry stakeholders through our well-established networks.
Nicola Noble, NSA Project Manager, comments: “We are all aware of the challenges we face to achieve net zero targets set by the government. Projects like this help us to understand emissions from different sheep breeds but also help emphasise the need to stop assessing farm business on a single metric. Grazing sheep in the hills and uplands not only produce nutritious food and a sustainable fibre, but deliver wider benefits socially, economically and environmentally that need to be recognised by consumers and policymakers.”
Yorkshire Agricultural Society
The Yorkshire Agricultural Society is best known for organising the Great Yorkshire Show in July, but lesser known for the work it does throughout the rest of the year. A registered charity, founded in 1837, established to promote agriculture in Yorkshire and the North of England. Two of its five objectives are to advance and encourage agricultural research and to advance and encourage the protection and sustainability of the environment. It delivers these key objectives primarily through its Farmer Scientist Network, an initiative led by farmers and researchers, which supports relevant and impactful project research, knowledge exchange activities alongside allied partners. With over 15,000 members, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society prides itself on putting its farming community at the forefront in everything it does.
Holly Jones, Network Coordinator and Funding Strategist for the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “As a charity, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society prides itself in supporting projects to advance and encourage agricultural research for the benefit of the protection of the environment while championing the role of farmers as providers of high-quality produce. This project, delivered through our Farmer Scientist Network initiative, will be enlightening for the UK farming industry in further understanding our pathway towards net zero whilst putting a spotlight on the high value of upland heritage breeds. We are delighted to be to working collaboratively with our allied partners on this project.”
Scotland’s Rural College
By focusing on the sustainable natural economy, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) strives to lead the way in delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all, in Scotland and beyond. Education, research, and consultancy (through SAC Consulting) at SRUC grows the natural economy. By working in partnership, SRUC focuses on solving the challenges facing the planet, including climate change, biodiversity and access to nutritious food and clean water.
SRUC’s GreenSheep facility allows quick and accurate measurement of methane emissions from sheep. 12 portable accumulation chambers (PACs) are housed on a trailer that can be taken to the sheep to measure methane emissions after eating their usual diet (including grazing).
Nicola Lambe, a researcher at SRUC, said: “This collaborative project is a great opportunity to expand our research in the measurement of methane emissions from sheep, testing relevant sheep breeds that are grazing different pasture types typically found in UK upland sheep systems. This helps to build a comprehensive picture of how the UK sheep industry can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
UK Agri-Tech Centre
The UK Agri-Tech Centre can connect you to world-class knowledge, funding, expertise and facilities that will save you time and accelerate your progress. Our research and development facilities cover all agrisystems and cover the breadth of the UK. Including a network of real farms to validate agri-tech and accelerate adoption.