SARIC Impact Summary 2019

IMPACT SUMMARY

A £10 million partnership between BBSRC, NERC, ESRC and industry to improve the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of UK crop and livestock sectors

https://bbsrc.ukri.org/saric/ https://nerc.ukri.org/innovation/activities/food/saric/

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Innovation Club (SARIC)

The agricultural industry manages SARIC operates as a public-private 70% of UK land in 20181 and so has a partnership, with members working major impact upon our environment. together to support pre-competitive Agriculture also contributes research with the potential to significantly to the UK economy, generate economic and societal generating £4Bn annually through benefits for the UK. the production of both livestock and crops2.

SARIC is an initiative to address challenges affecting the efficiency, productivity and sustainability of the UK crop and livestock sectors. The initiative is led by BBSRC and NERC, with support from ESRC, and a consortium of leading businesses.

Together we have invested £10M in research and innovation projects, led by world-class academic researchers, and exploring innovative solutions for agriculture.

SARIC was developed in consultation Figure 1. Barley field. Image courtesy of KTN. with trade associations, levy boards, policy makers and academia. The discussions found a need to connect “Being a member of SARIC gave us researchers from the environmental the opportunity to have one door and biological sciences with industry, access on cutting edge science in to generate and translate knowledge agriculture and to enlarge our about the sustainability of network” agricultural production. Isolde Haeuser-Hahn, Regional Alliance Manager EMEA, Bayer CropScience AG 1 Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June (Defra 2018) 2 Total Income from Farming in the United Kingdom (Defra 2018)

1 SARIC Research Challenges Member Benefits

Our research brings together BBSRC, NERC and ESRC have a strong multidisciplinary teams to advance record in managing collaborative two challenges which were research. Companies report a range developed with the industry of significant benefits from their membership: membership of Research and Innovation Clubs:  Resilient and robust crop and livestock production systems • Capacity to influence research in important strategic areas  Predictive capability and modelling for new technologies, • Knowledge on the progress of tools, products and services relevant research projects and early access to results We have funded 25 grants across 30 Universities and Research Institutes. • Opportunity to work with leading The funding has been delivered in the researchers and to build strong form of research and research relationships with them translation grants. • Opportunity to identify the best Research grants generate new potential industry recruits knowledge and fundamental scientific insights, to bring benefits to • Guidance on other UKRI activities the entire agricultural supply-chain. and funding opportunities

Research translation grants support • Promotion of companies through novel approaches to translating relevant activities, objectives and existing research data and knowledge outputs into new tools, technologies and other outcomes that create tangible economic or societal benefits.

“SARIC has enabled AHDB to engage with applicants to ensure the delivery of scientifically excellent but also industry relevant outcomes in areas of specific interest to the arable and livestock sectors.” Jon Knight, Head of Crop Health and Protection, AHDB Horticulture

2 Research Grants generate new knowledge and data to address strategic challenges relating to Sustainable Agriculture

Magnesium Network (MAG‐NET): Real‐time in situ sensing of soil Integrating Soil‐Crop‐Animal nitrogen status to promote Pathways to Improve Ruminant enhanced nitrogen use efficiency in Health agricultural systems Martin Broadley, University of Davey Jones, University of Bangor Nottingham Advanced technologies for efficient Impacts of different vegetation in crop management: A participatory riparian buffer strips on hydrology approach with application at farm and water quality scale Adrian Collins, Rothamsted Research Mathew Williams, University of Edinburgh Reduced Stomatal Density Wheat: New Prospects for Drought and Increasing the resilience of cereal Pathogen Resistance and oilseed rape production to Julie Gray, University of Sheffield weather damage Alan Blackburn, Lancaster University Increasing wheat drought tolerance and recovery throughout the life Biological crop protection: a new cycle through regulation of plant 'slow down/speed up' strategy for growth mechanisms aphid management Matthew Paul, Rothamsted David Chandler, University of Research Warwick

Diverse forage mixtures to optimise Restoring soil quality through re- ruminant animal production, integration of leys and sheep into nutrient use efficiency, arable rotations environmental impact, biodiversity, Jonathan Leake, University of and resilience Sheffield Chris Reynolds, University of Reading

Future‐proofing our breeding goals; Breeding for climate resilience in UK dairy systems Eileen Wall, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)

3 Research Translation Grants use existing data and knowledge to develop new tools and technologies for economic or societal benefits

Enhancing Innovation in Barley Real‐time predictions of pesticide Integrated Disease Management run‐off risk: multi‐scale with the application of an visualisations of water quality risks innovation systems approach to and costs research translation Alexis Comber, University of Leeds Fiona Borthwick, SRUC Low‐cost fibre optic matting for CROPROTECT: a knowledge direct live‐mapping of livestock exchange system to support UK weight to improve feed efficiency growers in sustainable crop Bruce Grieve, University of protection to allow efficient crop Manchester production Toby Bruce, Rothamsted Research Hand Held Technologies for Assessment of Nutrient Digestibility Enhancing nutrient use efficiency Alison Kingston‐Smith, Aberystwyth from biosolids for a resilient crop University production system Ruben Sakrabani, Cranfield Novel animal‐mounted sensor University technology to improve efficiency and sustainability Biosolids, Yield, Organic Carol-Anne Duthie, SRUC amendments in Soil: research to mitigate Leaching and Development of a PCN population Denitrification: BYOSOLID advisory tool that provides robust Andy Whitmore, Rothamsted advice and management Research Peter Urwin, University of Leeds

Measuring plant available SLURRY-MAX: Holistic decision- phosphorus to increase crop yields support for organic slurry storage and minimise nutrient leaching and treatment Hao Zhang, Lancaster University Claire Waterton, Lancaster University Delivering a decision‐support framework ‘soilquality.org.uk’ Breaking the Barriers to Soil Testing Elizabeth Stockdale, University of on Pastures (Breaking-STEP) Newcastle Davey Jones, Bangor University

Grassland Management Paul Burgess, Cranfield University 4 How climate change might affect the dairy sector Climate change will impact livestock by increasing both heat stress and the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts. In dairy cows, heat stress can reduce milk yield and quality, fertility, and increase susceptibility to disease.

The outcomes of the project:

 Analysed over 463,000 daily Figure 2. Image courtesy of SRUC. records from approx. 90,000 cows and data from ~900 bulls; SARIC project: Future‐proofing our  Developed a detailed breeding goals: Breeding for climate understanding of the resilience in UK dairy systems, 2015- relationship between weather 2019

and livestock phenotypes; Project team at SRUC:  Identified key production and  Eileen Wall fitness traits, and biomarkers,  Davina Hill that can be incorporated into  Ian Archibald breeding programmes;  Mike Coffey  Cost-benefit analysis of breeding cows for improved tolerance to Collaborations: unfavourable weather will be  National Milk Records carried out to inform future  Dairy Australia breeding programmes.  GenTORE

(https://www.gentore.eu/), an Future impacts: EU H2020 project led by INRA  The outcomes of the project will help to assess demand for feed and water under different weather and climate scenarios, and to embed climate resilience into long-term planning decisions, supporting the UK national dairy evaluations of Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

5 Soil-Crop-Animal Pathways to Improve Ruminant Health Low magnesium (Mg) status (hypomagnesaemia) can lead to serious health problems in cattle and sheep, such as tetany/staggers, often with high fatality rates. The project aims to develop novel and resilient Mg management strategies in the UK ruminant sector.

The outcomes of the project: Figure 3. MagNet on-farm mineral soil sampling. Image courtesy of the University of Nottingham.  Predictive soil maps of hypomagnesaemia-sensitive SARIC project: Magnesium Network regions for England, N. Ireland and (MAG-NET): Integrating Soil-Crop- Wales are being developed using Animal Pathways to Improve public and private sector data; Ruminant Health, 2016-2020  Over 300 survey responses from agronomy, fertiliser, and Project team: veterinary sectors, asking about  Martin Broadley, Beth Penrose magnesium use, will inform and Diriba Kumssa, University of alternative management options; Nottingham  High magnesium hybrid ryegrasses  Louise Ander, British Geological are being developed along with Survey new crop management strategies  Alan Lovatt, Aberystwyth to increase leaf Mg concentration University in forage grasses; Collaborations:  A decision support tool will allow  Several industry groups (Pet the comparison of economic Advertising Advisory Group, benefits of the various Mg Agricultural Industries nutrition options at farm-to- Confederation), and individual regional scales. companies (Germinal, NRM

Laboratories and Yara), as well as Impacts: AHDB provided significant Significant international impact contributions to this project. through a follow on project

GeoNutrition “Pasture management and grass (www.geonutrition.com) funded breeding options arising during this by Bill & Melinda Gates project present exciting opportunities Foundation; to reduce the incidence of Mg  BBSRC Innovator of the Year deficiencies in grazing ruminants” 2018 International Impact Prize. Louise Ander, British Geological Society 6

Managing runoff and water quality with different riparian buffer strips

Runoff from agricultural land, and the pollution it carries, continue to cause problems for flooding and water quality. This project is investigating the impacts of different vegetation in buffer strips on runoff and pollution loss from agricultural land, over five years.

The outcomes of the project:  Plots have been constructed to assess the capacity of three different types of buffer vegetation (novel high sugar Figure 4. Riparian buffer strips damage. grass, deciduous woodland, Image courtesy of Rothamsted Research. bioenergy trees - willow) to reduce runoff and water SARIC project: Impacts of different pollution; vegetation in riparian buffer strips  Soil and herbage samples from on hydrology and water quality, the plots, and water samples 2016-2020

from 7 rainfall events in 2017/18 Project team at Rothamsted are being analysed to assess the Research: effects of the experimental  Adrian Collins treatments to date;  Martin Blackwell  National scale scenario  Rob Dunn modelling and cost-benefit  Jane Hawkins analysis will be undertaken to  Ian Shield scale up the experimental results; Demonstration and dissemination:  The outcomes were shared with  Plots were visited by Welsh Defra, Environment Agency, Water, South West Water, Natural England, Forest Forest Research, Dartmoor Research, AHDB, and water National Park, Dartmoor Hill companies, and will feed into Farm Project, and South West policy development. National Farmers’ Union Dairy Board & Environment Canada.

7 Advisory tool for potato cyst nematodes Potato cyst nematodes (PCN) are important soil pests that cause major economic losses to potato growers. The industry seeks an improved, evidence-based, management framework to control PCN in soil, to reflect the reduction in pesticide usage due to

environmental and cost Figure 5. Potato cyst nematodes. Image courtesy implications. of the University of Leeds.

SARIC project: Development of a The outcomes of the project: PCN population advisory tool that  Improved the current AHDB provides robust advice and advisory PCN management tool management, 2017-2019 by adding additional

functionality and accuracy for Project team: the factors influencing PCN  Peter Urwin, Howard Atkinson, multiplication, including Anne-Kristin Koehler andF. temperature, tolerance of the Moulton, University of Leeds potato variety to the pest, and  Matthew Back, Ivan Grove and the emerging control strategies William Watts, Harper Adams of biofumigation and trap- University cropping;

 The updated tool will be hosted Collaborations: on the AHDB web-site and will  AHDB benefit UK potato growers;  Barworth Agriculture  The project was linked to an

additional NERC International Demonstration and dissemination: Development Innovation and  Impact Award to adapt the PCN Project was showcased at an population advisory tool for use industry event BP2017; AHDB in South America. agronomists meetings, AHDB SPot Farm Results Days. “The project has provided an excellent opportunity to work with the group at the University of Leeds” Matthew Back, Harper Adams University

8 Devising user-friendly support for better slurry storage, treatment and use Good management of livestock slurry is more important than ever since the new ‘farming rules for water’ (April 2018). Slurry management, often thought to be determined by individual farmers’ decisions, is also shaped by wider constraints including weather, farm Figure 6. Image courtesy of Shailesh Shrestha, infrastructures etc. Probing SRUC. beyond the actions of individual SARIC project: SLURRY-MAX: Holistic farmers, this qualitative decision-support system for organic research was able to understand slurry storage and treatment why - despite best intentions techniques for maximum nutrient use and sound scientific advice – efficiencies, 2016-2018 slurry is often poorly managed, and suggests both social and Project team: technical solutions.  Claire Waterton and Emma Cardwell, Lancaster University  Lisa Norton, CEH Lancaster The outcomes of the project:  James Gibbons and David  Technical recommendations Chadwick, Bangor University for improving the usability of  Katrina Macintosh, Queen’s existing decision support University Belfast tools based on consultation  Ruben Sakrabani, Cranfield with cattle farmers, University agricultural advisors and  Shailesh Shrestha, SRUC agricultural students;

 A prototype decision support Demonstration and dissemination: tool for slurry management  Disseminated leaflet containing on beef farms; key messages of the research  Sharing of outcomes with across the agricultural and AHDB, Department of nutrient management sectors; Agriculture, Environment  Report detailing how public and and Rural Affairs Northern private sectors might support Ireland and Catchment better slurry management across Sensitive Farming in England. the UK: http://wp.lancs.ac.uk/slurry- max/report/ 9 CROPROTECT

Much of current crop protection on farms is based upon pesticides. Alternative approaches, including integrated pest management (IPM), rely upon improved knowledge exchange. The CROPROTECT online platform www.croprotect.com was developed to support growers by providing evidence-based approaches to implementing alternatives to pesticide controls.

The outcomes of the project: Figure 7. CROPROTECT App. Image courtesy of  The project engaged with users Rothamsted Research. and built a network of early SARIC project: CROPROTECT: a adopters who co-designed it; knowledge exchange system to  CROPROTECT platform has over support UK growers in sustainable 1000 users including farmers, crop protection to allow efficient agronomists and researchers crop production, 2014-2017 who can access information via website or through the app, and Project team: report incidents;  Toby Bruce, Keele University  Jon West, Rothamsted Research  Farmers and agronomists can obtain practical management Industry support: recommendations for pests,  AHDB, AICC, Agrii, AgriChatUK, weeds and diseases, as well as Hutchinsons, NFU report on those that are of Demonstration and dissemination: concern to them;  Farmers Guardian, 3 December  Research and policy community 2015; can access information about  UK-US Plant Health workshop, which pest, weed and disease National Science Federation, targets are of concern to United States Department of farmers; Agriculture & BBSRC, October  CROPROTECT is being 2016; maintained by Rothamsted  Global Food Security workshop Research and used to engage on "Alternatives to Pesticides", with the farming community. London, 23 May 2016.

10 On-farm diagnostics to assess nutrient digestibility for beef and dairy farmers The accurate assessment of nutrient digestibility is key to using resources efficiency on livestock farms. This project develops a new methodology for real time assessment of feed use and quality based on Near-

Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Figure 8. NIRS to assess nutrient levels. Image analysis. The researchers are courtesy of ABAgri. collaborating with ABAgri, the leading feed manufacturing SARIC project: Hand Held company. Technologies for Assessment of Nutrient Digestibility, 2017-2019

The outcomes of the project: Project team:  Application of NIRS to faeces,  Alison Kingston- Smith, Jon in combination with feed Moorby and David Leemans, analysis, will allow on-farm Aberystwyth University diagnostics, opening up the  Gary Atkinson, Lyndon Smith ability to make measurements and Melvyn Smith, University of on fresh samples, and West England extending functionality of the  Chris Reynolds and David existing hand-held NIRS Humphries, University of devices; Reading  Combining image analysis with NIRS will increase Collaborations: accuracy of predictions;  ABAgri are providing the  Will enable more precise, equipment for the project and strategic feeding, with access to raw data. monitoring of individual animals and herds for on-farm Demonstration and dissemination: nutrient (slurry) management.  Results will be presented at the British Society for Animal Science meeting in 2019.

11 Managed by BBSRC and NERC, SARIC is a partnership with ESRC and a consortium of companies with interests in enhancing the sustainability of crop and livestock production in the UK.

“Through SARIC, Cawood Scientific has made a number of new connections with academic groups that we had not previously worked closely with. As a result of this Cawood Scientific is now looking to develop a new service in collaboration with one of these new connections.” Duncan Rose, NRM Laboratories

“The Club has enabled us to access research in agricultural production systems. Working in collaboration, we can ensure healthy and resilient land management to benefit both agriculture and water protection, which means our customers continue to receive excellent drinking water and helps us keep costs, and customer bills, down.” Tara Froggatt, Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

2019