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Why Hill Farming Is Embracing Technology

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Why Hill Farming Is Embracing Technology THE ONLY WAY IS UP: WHY HILL FARMING IS EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY AS WE BECOME INCREASINGLY CONCERNED ABOUT USING THE WORLD’S RESOURCES MORE EFFICIENTLY, THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY’S DAVY MCCRACKEN ATTENTION IS TURNING TO THE UPLANDS. PROFESSOR OF SCOTLAND’S RURAL COLLEGE IS FOCUSING ON INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT, TO ENSURE THAT THE HILLS AND MOUNTAINS OF SCOTLAND ARE MANAGED IN AS SUSTAINABLE A WAY AS POSSIBLE IMAGINE THIS QUICK FACTS Upland farming has historically been overlooked by agricultural science compared to higher- A shepherd strides over a hill in Scotland, UPLAND FARMING – Also known as hill output, more profitable lowland farming. This accompanied by three sheepdogs and a farming. Upland farms generally produce has meant that technological innovations and drone. An electronic tag in one of his sheep’s livestock such as sheep, cattle and goats, other precision measures have, until recently, ear has alerted him that a sheep has become which graze on vegetation that cannot been underused in such areas. However, as we separated from the flock, that it hasn’t otherwise be used by humans. move into an age focused on sustainability and moved for several hours, and that the rest of efficiency, it is probable that upland farms will the flock are now a kilometre away. By using PRECISION FARMING – Also known come to represent a much greater proportion the location coordinates in tandem with the as precision agriculture. Precision farming of animal agriculture. It is therefore very drone’s infrared camera, he spots it stuck in a uses specialised equipment, software and IT important that they are managed as effectively gully, and manages to haul it out and reunite to ensure that crops and livestock receive as possible. it with the flock. everything they need for optimum health and productivity. Professor Davy McCracken, Head of The next day, the shepherd and his dogs Integrated Land Management and Head of the herd the flock to the farmhouse to measure INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT Hill & Mountain Research Centre at Scotland’s their weight and assess other health factors. – A system that enables farmers to manage Rural College (SRUC), has spent several The database informs him that the sheep all aspects of their land sustainably and decades working on this issue. Scotland is one that had been stuck is losing weight, and on profitably, especially by producing more than of the world’s leading areas for sheep farming; closer inspection he sees it is suffering from one type of product for the market. in fact, the UK is the sixth largest producer of a disease. He closely monitors it for the next sheep meat (lamb and mutton) in the world. few weeks, feeding it a special diet as well as Now, integrated management techniques are a course of tailored antibiotics. When it has helping to ensure that these areas are managed fully recovered, it returns to the flock. as productively and sustainably as possible. Imagine innovating and developing more WHY THE FOCUS ON THESE technologies like these to help farmers UPLAND SYSTEMS? manage their land sustainably and profitably. Around 70% of Scotland’s land is mountainous or has mountainous characteristics (i.e. a similar climate or soil type), and there are limited agricultural uses to which this land can be put. “Poor soil condition combined with high rainfall means that Scotland’s mountainous areas are unsuitable for ploughing or growing crops,” 00 Find this article, and others like it, online at www.futurumcareers.com PROFESSOR DAVY MCCRACKEN Head of Integrated Land Management and Head of Hill & Mountain Research Centre Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) FIELD OF RESEARCH Integrated Land Management RESEARCH PROJECT The SRUC’s Hill & Mountain Research Centre focuses on driving innovation to increase the economic, environmental says Davy. “Farming in these areas therefore where farmers were more able to afford to and social viability of hill farming and focuses on livestock – in particular sheep and invest in the technology,” explains Davy. crofting in Scotland and beyond. cattle in Scotland, and goats elsewhere in the “This rapidly became a vicious circle.” Upland world – that can convert the vegetation that systems were left behind as innovation made grows there into protein sources suitable for lowland systems increasingly productive, FUNDERS humans, such as meat or milk.” This is not a and therefore more tempting for investors The Scottish Government’s Rural & solely Scottish situation: many other areas – but this is now changing. Davy believes Environment Science & Analytical around the world, from the Italian Alps to the that the value of upland systems from an Services Division through their Strategic Tibetan Plateau, have similar characteristics. environmental as much as an agricultural Research Programmes; The European Davy’s research has the potential to be used to perspective, and the importance of managing Commission’s H2020 Research & improve management in any of these areas. them as effectively and sustainably as possible, Innovation Programme; Defra’s ERA- is now being recognised. NET Sustainable Animal Production WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT programme; Global Food Security’s UPLAND SYSTEMS FACE? HOW IS SCOTLAND’S RURAL Resilience of the UK Food System These areas do not lend themselves to COLLEGE IMPROVING MATTERS? Programme, with support from BBSRC, productivity. “When compared to livestock SRUC rents two neighbouring upland farms, ESRC, NERC and the Scottish systems in lowland areas, upland systems Kirkton and Auchtertyre, from the Scottish Government; Innovate UK are unable to produce the same number of Government to use as a research base. young animals or rear them as quickly,” says Experimenting with different management Davy. There are several reasons for this: the techniques is not a risk that most upland farms innovation stands out to Davy. “We have plants that grow there are of low nutritional can take, since the farmers’ livelihoods depend established a weighing crate on our farms value, and the animals are also exposed to on being reliably profitable every year. This is that can identify individual sheep from their high levels of rainfall and very cold winters. where funded scientific research can step in. ear tags, and measure and store their weight Add into this the risk of attack from predators Despite misconceptions of scientific study automatically in a database.” Along with an and the amount of energy the animals use to being consigned to the laboratory, it is on array of other measurements, such as age, navigate the uneven terrain, productivity can be these hillsides where Davy’s work is focused. sex or breed, this means the animals can be significantly affected. “We are aiming to gain a better understanding sorted according to their characteristics. of how best to manage the sheep flock and For instance, these measurements can help This limited productivity has meant that the land they graze upon,” he says. It takes identify underweight animals, which can technological advances in agriculture have practical experimentation, as well as learning then be separated from the flock and fed a often passed upland systems by. “When first-hand from the farmers who know the special diet. By tailoring techniques down to technological innovation was first introduced areas intimately, to yield meaningful results. the individual animal, farming becomes a lot in the UK, it was primarily aimed at the more The management techniques the team is more precise – earning such efforts the title of productive farming systems in the lowlands, developing and testing are varied, but one precision livestock farming. 00 ABOUT INTEGRATED LAND MANAGEMENT Integrated land management is about integrate trees and woodlands into upland WHAT SORT OF PERSON WOULD combining conventional farming techniques farming, and how best to mitigate upland SUIT A CAREER IN THE AREA? with countryside management and the latest farming’s contributions to climate change – Many people carry a preconception of innovations in science and technology, as well and these are just the tip of the iceberg! This agriculture as an industry dominated by as considering factors such as biodiversity dispels the myth of scientific research being practically minded, non-academic people, and sustainability. This knowledge, together narrow-focused; the SRUC’s goal is to see but Davy thinks that this idea is out of with the capacity to collect and interpret the big picture. date. “The technological solutions being increasing quantities of data, gives a much put in place mean that there are more and broader understanding of what can be WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE more opportunities for people interested in done to make farms more profitable, more ENVIRONMENT IN INTEGRATED understanding a wide range of agricultural, sustainable and more efficient. LAND MANAGEMENT? biological and ecological processes through “In upland areas, it is impossible to separate the collection and interpretation of data.” By understanding the factors that affect agricultural issues from environmental upland systems, it is easier to modify these issues,” says Davy. Uplands contain diverse The environmental aspect of land factors in a meaningful way. The right ecosystems, from peatlands to native management is also increasingly recognised. data can help decipher the best diet for woodlands, which are home to many Scientists and land managers are needed to a flock, the optimum number of animals species of high conservation value. In help restore peatlands, establish woodland
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