New venture offers better access to independent advice

Farmers and agri-businesses are set to benefit from a new partnership between Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and ADAS, which will offer greater access to the latest independent advice.

The two organisations will pool their research expertise from Scotland and England to offer ‘a truly national agricultural and rural knowledge service’.

As a result, new and existing partners will be able to tap into expertise at ADAS and SRUC – which includes SAC Consulting – and their specialist consultancy and diagnostic services, education and training courses.

The new venture will operate in fields such as agriculture and climate change; soil health; synthesis of evidence to support policy development; data; ecological modelling and genomics; sustainable diets and food production systems; animal welfare and sustainable food supply.

One of the priorities will be the launch of a new digital platform – to be announced in spring 2020 – that provides an independent source of knowledge, expertise, tools and services for rural and food sectors.

ADAS has 400 staff delivering in 60 specialist subjects across England and Wales, while SRUC, through SAC Consulting, has 24 offices in Scotland and northern England and offers a range of specialisms in soil and nutrition, livestock and agronomy, branding and marketing of food products, and analytical testing.

SRUC’s director of commercialisation and innovation, Colin MacEwan, said: “The combined expertise of both ADAS and SRUC creates an extraordinary wealth of knowledge that will be of vital importance to the future of our food and farming industry. We are excited about the opportunity that this new and dynamic partnership will bring to support future farming and food systems.”

Managing director Jackie Evans, of ADAS agriculture and land management, added: “The venture will combine and enhance the strengths of both organisations, for the benefit of rural businesses. Both offer end-to-end services, with a wide array of industry-relevant skills and expertise, so this will be a comprehensive offering. We are excited to see where the venture takes us and welcome relevant enquiries from the rural and agricultural sectors.”