SRUC: The Benefits of Technology in Extensive Livestock Systems

Join SRUC for an Open Day to learn about problems that farmers and crofters are currently facing and how technology is helping solve them.

Please follow the parking attendants’ instructions or the designated parking signs to the farm. Please do not rely on the Google Maps pin, as this will direct you to a private residence near the farm.

This Industry Open Day will consist of a series of stopping points around SRUC’s Kirkton & Auchtertyre research and demonstration farms, where attendees will hear from staff from SRUC, SAC Consulting and Moredun Research Institute about the following range of issues of importance to hill farmers and crofters:

· assessing the welfare of livestock when out on the hill;

· innovations in sheep and lamb tracking technologies;

· the outlook for the beef industry and the potential use of UHF tags;

· assessing feed efficiency and methane emissions of individuals in a flock;

· the role that AI and sensors can play in assessing biodiversity;

· parasite and disease challenges and solutions.

The Open Day will consist of four separate tours around these stopping points, with each tour consisting of a circular walk from Auchtertyre farm to Kirkton farm and back.

Attendees should ensure that they wear appropriate footwear and clothing and be aware that each walking tour will take approximately three hours to complete.

To assist with planning and logistics on the day, attendees are requested to sign up to one of the four tours using the links below and to arrive within 15-20 minutes of the start time of their chosen tour.

• Tour 1 (1000-1300)
• Tour 2 (1100-1400)
• Tour 3 (1200-1500)
• Tour 4 (1300-1600)

There will be a number of trade stands present on the day (exact details still to be confirmed but will include the Farm Advisory Service, National Sheep Association and Wild Strathfillan Initiative among others) where attendees can learn more about their work and its relevance to upland livestock farming systems.

The Open Day will start and finish at SRUC’s Auchtertyre Farm so attendees should use the Auchtertyre/Wigwams entrance from the A82 and – where relevant and feasible – to share transport to assist with parking on site.

Toilet facilities will be available at each of the two farms and it is intended that a catering van will be present to allow for the purchase of teas, coffees and snacks.