Organisation profile

The Beef and Sheep Research Centre is based at SRUC’s Easter Howgate Farm, which lies within the Pentland hills ~8 miles south of the centre of Edinburgh. The total farms area of 1,013ha (approx. 2,500 acres) consists of:

• 300 - 500 m - hill 656 ha (55 ha improved)
• 250- 300 m - upland 152 ha improved
• 150- 250 m - lowland 205 ha

This unique site is valuable for research, teaching and demonstration purposes, so that research, student practical’s and visits can be seen within the context of a range of realistic farming enterprises.

Our work covers developments in biology, engineering, finance and environmental performance in ruminant production systems. The Beef & Sheep Research Centre's current major focus is on improving feed conversion efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of beef cattle.  Although mainly concentrated on farm systems and our excellent facilities at Easter Howgate, our work extends into the food chain.

• Our strength is in bringing together a range of biological and engineering skills to work with leading industry expertise and academic collaborators, both nationally and globally. Some of our work includes:
• Animal imaging and sensing systems (precision livestock (or SMART) farming)
• Biomarkers for animal performance, efficiency and health – for management or breeding
• Measurement systems and proxies for greenhouse gas (particularly methane) emissions
• Role of the rumen microbiome (microbial species and genes) in animal performance
• Carcass and meat quality evaluations
• Whole-farm/system modelling
• Beef and sheep systems are at the heart of Scottish agriculture and our vision it to undertake strategic research that is strongly linked to application by farmers, as well as companies developing opportunities in the expanding global agritech market.