Consulting and Commercial

Is growing potatoes sustainable and profitable?

Potatoes are an amazingly versatile food and an important part of our culture in Scotland. But is growing potatoes sustainable and profitable?…

Dr Phil Burgess
23/01/2023

Farmers urged to benchmark carbon footprint

SAC Consulting has again been awarded the government contract to conduct a nationwide survey which helps farms to save money while also benchmarking their carbon footprint and nitrate. Farms completing the Scottish Farm Business Survey will be given a full carbon footprint measurement using Agrecalc, SAC Consulting’s award-winning farm carbon calculator.…

SRUC
11/01/2023

Free legal advice for enterprising students

Students at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will be offered free legal support to progress business ideas as part of a new partnership with one of Scotland’s largest independent law firms.…

SRUC
12/12/2022

Supporting Scotland’s crofting communities

In all the crofting counties, SAC Consulting has a team of local, independent advisors who are well versed in the many aspects of crofting – and there are, indeed, many. Our aim in supporting this vital aspect of agriculture in Scotland is to strengthen and progress modern crofting and give crofters the advice and knowledge that will ensure that they can thrive. …

Siobhan Macdonald
09/12/2022

Diversification guide outlines steps to starting a new business

SAC Consulting – part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has created a Land-based tourism toolkit outlining different types of businesses, recommended skills and relevant course providers. The toolkit, which was funded by the University Innovation Fund, is divided into six sections which can be downloaded for free from SRUC’s website.…

SRUC
08/12/2022

Drones take carbon project to next level

Environmental specialists at SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), are using drone-mounted LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors to estimate above-ground carbon storage in hedges and trees.…

SRUC
06/12/2022

Breathing life back into Scotland’s neglected crofts

SAC Consulting, part of SRUC, has recognised that legislation surrounding crofting is presenting barriers to succession planning and the team has been helping individuals to better understand their options, to maximise the potential of their croft and to support the next generation get a foot hold in the industry.…

SRUC
05/12/2022

Increase in Skye’s corncrake numbers bucks Scotland-wide trend

An annual survey of corncrakes in Scotland recorded an increase in the number of calling males on Skye - despite a three per cent reduction overall in Scotland. …

SRUC
30/11/2022

Carbon management for climate change mitigation

As part of SRUC, SAC Consulting operates alongside and in collaboration with our cutting-edge research units to ensure the development of new and innovative solutions to carbon management problems. Our team is passionate about addressing important carbon management issues and keen to work with clients to achieve climate change mitigation targets.…

Seamus Murphy
18/11/2022

Food and drink event for north east businesses

Businesses interested in learning about innovative food-and-drink-associated research in the north east of Scotland are invited to a free event later this month.…

SRUC
02/11/2022

Graze Debate 2022

The Graze Debate theme aims to facilitate discussion between pasture-based farmers, researchers and advisors in the pursuit of a sustainable beef and sheep sector in Scotland. …

Poppy Frater
01/11/2022

Helping livestock producers to reduce costs and improve farm efficiency this winter

Given that so many costs associated with keeping livestock over the winter have increased substantially recently, most livestock farmers are looking for different ways to manage this challenge. …

Kirsten Williams
25/10/2022