Crop Systems Research Updates and Trial Site Visits 2026

Recent highlights from the research trials and projects linked to the Aberdeenshire Cropping Experiment (ACE) Platform @ SRUC Craibstone.
About this Event

Provisional Agenda:

Indoor sessions

12:00 Arrive (Ferguson Building for sandwiches / refreshments; park in Education Car Park)

12:15 Introduction to the day

12:30 Summary of key projects (recent, current and upcoming) that research staff from SRUC Aberdeen are involved in (including residue management / cover crops from EU SCALE-IT & Loirston Trust grants) - some, but not all, linked to the outdoor sessions taking place later in the programme.

13:15 Head out to the field sites

Outdoor sessions

13:25 Visit ACE Platform (lift sharing from Ferguson Car Park - if possible)

• pHoenix - rotational trial that was redesigned and relocated long-term soil pH gradient experiment that was oroiginally started in 1961(Scottish Government)
• IntercropVALUES - intercropping peas and barley - productivity, soil health, GHG under reduced inputs and legacy effects on spring barley plots superimposed over last year's trial (EU & additional GHG Scottish Government)
• SCALE-IT Upscaling efficient alternatives for contentious inputs in organic farming (blight resistant organic potatoes & residue utilisation between cereal crops)
• Tulloch Organic Rotation - long term organic rotation with revised design - stocked and stockless approaches, with or without biostimulant (Scottish Government)
• Mixed herbal leys (Loirston Trust)

15:45 Summing Up Discussion

16:00 End

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