A new high-tech ‘sheep shed’ has been unveiled which will allow Rothamsted researchers to monitor the impacts of livestock in real-world farming systems.
The new facility, which can also accommodate goats, is part of Rothamsted’s ‘farm lab’ at its North Wyke site near Okehampton, Devon, where it measures how sustainable different farming methods are.
It will help scientists study different ways of rearing and producing lamb - and examine whether a switch away from red meat is good for the environment in the UK.
The ‘farm lab’ or Farm Platform is in fact three self-contained farms where every relevant input such as fertiliser and manpower, and all key outputs including pollutants in water runoff from fields, greenhouse gases and, ultimately profits, are monitored.
The Robert Orr Small Ruminant Facility will become an integral part of the Farm Platform and will house 400 or more ewes and up to 60 goats, with group and single pen facilities for feeding and behavioural research trials, including 24 automatic feeding pens.
www.rothamsted.ac.uk/news/far...