Turning sunshine into liquid gold
Tiny metalic-gold particles are being used to convert sunlight into fuel. The technology is being developed in South Australia to store solar energy as an alternative to battery storage. Researchers from Flinders University and the University of Adelaide, in collaboration with a number of international institutions, have converted solar energy directly into chemical energy in […]
Farming for free
Farmers at the Leicester Monitor Farm meeting on 10 January were encouraged to make the most of free resources available. The meeting covered soil health, crop nutrition and cover crops. Harry Henderson, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Knowledge Exchange Manager, said: “Farmers’ own knowledge and that of their neighbours, as well as sunlight, water and soil […]
Wanted: Bright ideas to shape the future of farming
Farmers: Do you have a bright idea which needs some help to develop? Or a project that’s already under way which could be rolled out across the industry? If so, the Rothamsted Open Innovation Forum wants to hear from you. It is seeking to bring together innovators, researchers and investors to turn bright ideas into […]
Multi-million pound investment in pig research
Yorkshire will soon become one of the best places in Europe for pig research, thanks to significant investment from the University of Leeds and the Government. The University is about to launch new facilities at its farm to carry out research into outdoor-reared pigs, and is set to significantly upgrade its indoor-reared pig research centre. […]
A pig’s life: how mood and personality affect the decisions of domestic pigs
The judgements and decisions a pig makes are governed by their mood – whether good or bad – and their personality type, according to new research published today. The new study, carried out by scientists specialising in animal behaviour and welfare at the University of Lincoln and Newcastle University, UK, demonstrates for the first time […]
New study identifies scope for more innovation in horticulture
A unique study has taken a thoughtful approach to understand why parts of the horticulture industry do not take up some of the innovative ideas that emerge from universities and research institutes, as well as other areas of the industry. The study has been undertaken by PhD student Jonathan Menary from Warwick Crop Centre, part […]
Cows curious about country choons
The results from a test to see how a Scottish dairy herd would respond to country music are in – with the evidence suggesting that the tunes had a real impact on the cows’ behaviour. Mackie’s of Scotland – with the help of Colin Clyne, a local musician and founder of Stonehaven’s ‘Doricana Fest’ – […]
N8 AgriFood success in securing £1.5m funding
N8 universities have been successful in securing more than £1.5m of funding through six awards from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Innovation Club (SARIC). SARIC, a public-private partnership, is a collaboration between three research councils (BBSRC, NERC, and ESRC*) and 12 private partners to address some of the challenges of sustainable intensification in agriculture. Ten […]
Scientist develops most potent superfood on the planet
Australian scientists have developed the most potent dietary antioxidant available anywhere in the world, following a remarkable breakthrough in antioxidant extraction technology. Dr Vincent Candrawinata from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia developed the revolutionary new process, involving only apples and water, which is a first in the eighty-year history of supplement development. The discovery […]
