News
SRUC presented with Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education
SRUC has been presented with a prestigious Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education by Their Majesties The King and Queen yesterday, Tuesday 24 February 2026.
The accolade was awarded at St James’s Palace for SRUC's leading work on the Scottish Farm Business Survey alongside 18 other institutions.
Royal honour for SRUC Head of Research
A lifelong devotion to animal genetics, which included meeting the world’s most famous sheep, has led to an honorary OBE for SRUC’s Head of Research.
Eileen Wall, Professor of Integrative Livestock Genetics at SRUC, has been honoured for services to Agricultural Science, her scientific contribution to livestock improvement and her leadership of research and innovation at national and international level.
SRUC selected for Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education USA Exchange
SRUC livestock experts have been selected to take part in a prestigious international programme designed to strengthen academic collaboration between the UK and the United States.
They will join scientists from seven other UK institutions in the Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education: USA Exchange 2026.
The announcement follows SRUC being awarded the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Education for the third time, placing it among few Scottish institutions to have received the honour on more than two occasions.
SRUC kicks off search for new Non-Executive Board Chair
SRUC has begun the search for a new Non-Executive Chair of the Board to take a central role in the future success of the organisation during a period of significant change and opportunity.
It comes as SRUC is set to launch a new strategy for 2026-2031.
Virtual dairy farm aims to transform industry
Researchers in the south of Scotland have unveiled virtual farm technology they hope could help transform the dairy industry.
Farm-twin is free to download code which allows the creation of a model of an entire farm system - from individual animals to infrastructure - using real-time data sensors.
Source: BBC News
SRUC Veterinary Services Introduces Enhanced Brachyspira PCR Test
SRUC Veterinary Services is pleased to announce an important update to our diagnostic capabilities: a new and improved real-time PCR test for Brachyspira, launching in late July/early August 2025.
This test replaces the long-standing 23s RNA PCR method and brings a host of benefits to veterinary diagnostics, particularly in swine and avian health.
Scottish scientists to lead world's first study on antibiotic resistance in pets
A team of scientists in the Highlands is set to lead the world’s first nationwide study into antibiotic resistance in cats and dogs. Based in Inverness, the research group from Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) will work with the UK Government’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to launch a new surveillance programme aimed at detecting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthy
Source: STV
Nationwide study set to improve poultry welfare
A new £500k commercial poultry catching and handling study is aiming to improve the welfare of farmed birds throughout Britain.
Led by SRUC and the University of Bristol, the comprehensive collaboration between academic research teams, industry, Humane Slaughter Association and a poultry veterinary consultant is set to take place over three years and will collect data from over 100 commercial poultry flocks, leading to best practise for poultry wellbeing.
Falling demand signals shift in Scotland’s rural land market
Scotland’s rural land market is showing signs of cooling, with falling demand in key sectors such as commercial forestry and natural capital investment.
New analysis from the Scottish Land Commission and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) reveals how economic and political uncertainty have reshaped rural land market activity over the past year.
Source: Business Insider
SRUC appoints new Board members
Outgoing MSP Oliver Mundell is among five new non-executive directors to have been appointed to the SRUC Board.
Mr Mundell, who will stand down as MSP for Dumfriesshire at next year’s Scottish Parliament election, will join four other new Board members as SRUC builds on its journey as a degree-awarding power institution at the heart of the natural economy.