A two day workshop at SRUC’s Hill and Mountain Research Centre in Crianlarich in early September will consider some of the key issues facing upland farms today. The workshop is an ideal chance for all those working in the hill farming industry to explore relevant areas including greenhouse gas emissions, carbon sequestration and some of the newest technology and research in grass, cattle and sheep farming. All attendees will be awarded a continuing personal development certification.
Professor Davy McCracken, Head of SRUC’s Hill and Mountain Research Centre, says: “There are many opportunities and challenges facing upland farmers and we hope this workshop will help answer some key questions. For example, what can be done to ensure the economic viability of upland farms so that they can continue to produce quality, sustainable food while supporting our natural environment? Upland farmers today face many pressures including changes to markets, support policies and the climate they are operating in. This workshop will advise them what they need to be aware of ecologically and economically and how current practices could be reviewed and altered to address today’s pressures.”
Developed by experts from Scotland’s Rural College and Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, the workshop will explore the environmental, social and economic viability of alternative upland farming systems in the UK, and will discuss soil management, moorlands, natural and cultivated grasslands, and sheep and cattle in upland situations.
Part of the course will take place on the farm at Crianlarich to highlight some of the latest agricultural research and attendees can expect presentations on various upland issues; Dr Phil Hollington will summarise the recent research carried out in this field and and will explain the term ‘ecosystem services’ which refers to how humans benefit from the natural environment. Dr John Holland and Dr Dave Styles will tackle greenhouse gas emissions and peatland restoration. There will also be talks on muirburn and land management in the Scottish highlands.
The two day workshop costs £270. However, if an attendee is employed full time within the UK agri-food sector then then may qualify to receive a bursary to reduce the cost of attendance. Examples of sectors which qualify are: supermarket supply chain advisors, farmers and farm managers, agri-supplies, vets, agri-environmental advisors and agricultural consultants. We regret that those employed in publicly funded posts do not qualify for bursaries. Bursaries will be awarded at the time of invoicing on a first-come-first-served basis.
The event, which takes place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September, will serve attendees either as a certified stand-alone Continual Professional Development (CPD) event or as an introduction to two postgraduate distance learning modules on Upland Farming Systems and Ecosystem Services.
