In a tour of the Scotland’s Rural College Barony Campus, Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, has been given an update on the Digital Dairy Chain, which was officially launched earlier this summer.

At the Barony Dairy Unit, Professor Richard Dewhurst explained how the £21 million project, funded by the UK Government, would create jobs and boost the economy of South-West Scotland and Cumbria, while Rachael Wakefield from Censis, one of the project partners, demonstrated the company’s advanced sensor technology.

In a tour organised by South of Scotland Enterprise, the Minister was also given the lowdown on the Dairy Nexus, a planned £8 million facility jointly funded by the UK and Scottish governments as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, which aims to decarbonise the dairy industry.

Principal and chief executive of SRUC, Professor Wayne Powell, and South and West Faculty Dean Professor Nick Sparks, also explained how Forestry and associated courses at SRUC are playing a crucial role in filling the skills gap.

Mr McKee said: “It’s great to see SRUC’s Barony Campus leading the way for innovation and collaboration in advanced, sustainable dairy production and processing, supporting and enabling the industry to improve sustainability and reduce emissions.

Read more: Digital Dairy Chain launches in Dumfries

“The Scottish Government’s Borderlands Deal supports the Barony Campus’ ambition to be a world-renowned centre for low carbon innovation ensuring Scotland transitions its society and economy towards a net zero future, with all regions achieving their potential.”

Prof Powell added: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to Barony at a hugely exciting and transformational time for our South and West Faculty and, indeed, for SRUC as a whole. Innovation is vital if Scotland is to meet targets on net zero and job creation, and projects like the Digital Dairy Chain and Dairy Nexus are outstanding examples of how SRUC is helping to lead the way in the green economic recovery.”