Ministers welcome progress on innovative Borderlands dairy project
The Dairy Nexus, which is under construction at 伊人直播鈥檚 Barony Campus near Dumfries, is set to be completed in November 2024.
A multi-million pound new facility to drive innovation and sustainability in the dairy sector is set to open its doors next month.
伊人直播 is leading the Dairy Nexus project which has been awarded up to 拢8 million from the UK and Scottish Governments and 拢738,000 from South of Scotland Enterprise.
One of the first Scottish projects to be delivered through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, the Dairy Nexus has been built by Portakabin Ltd on 伊人直播鈥檚 Barony campus at the heart of a major dairy producing region in Dumfries and Galloway.聽
伊人直播 already provides an internationally recognised focus for research and innovation in the sector and is central to a vibrant network of researchers, dairy businesses, technology and training providers.
With four major processors and around 50 artisan producers employing 1,350 people and adding value to milk collected from some 980 farms across the region, dairying is an important part of the Borderlands鈥� economy.聽
The Dairy Nexus will facilitate collaboration between researchers, advisors, farmers and businesses in the dairy sector to identify and solve real-world problems and take opportunities to improve productivity and sustainability.聽
The investment in the Dairy Nexus - which includes equipment to measure multiple aspects of dairy farm technical performance, supported by laboratories and meeting spaces - will provide a significant boost to the region鈥檚 capabilities for dairy innovation.聽
From fine-tuning dairy nutrition to improve the nutritional value of milk and the yield of cheese, to measuring the effect of genetic selection on cows鈥� methane emissions and understanding how different forage crops affect soil health and biodiversity, the Dairy Nexus is aiming to decarbonise the dairy sector.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:聽鈥淢y priorities are focussed on working with partners to deliver sustainable growth in the Scottish economy and promoting Brand Scotland's world-famous food and drink larder. This exciting Dairy Nexus project - backed by 拢4 million UK Government funding - is a great example of collaboration to find innovative聽solutions for boosting productivity, creating jobs and decarbonising the sector in the south聽of Scotland and beyond. I look forward to seeing this project help transform the dairy sector.鈥�
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: 鈥淭he Scottish Government is investing 拢4 million in this project, supporting research and innovation to deliver a sustainable future for Scottish dairy farming.
鈥淥ur Green Industrial Strategy has set out measures to work with business to grasp the opportunities of the transition to net zero.
鈥淭he Dairy Nexus is a great example of driving rural innovation to make the sector more productive as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.鈥�
Cllr Gail McGregor, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council and Borderlands Partnership Board Member, said: 鈥淒airy Nexus is an exciting project that will both create new jobs and develop an industry that is so key to our region.
鈥淪upporting business, innovation & skills is key to driving growth and prosperity and this development really builds on the expertise and infrastructure in Dumfries and Galloway.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen how other Borderlands projects we鈥檝e helped to deliver have made a positive difference to our communities and I鈥檓 confident Dairy Nexus will do the same.鈥�
Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive of 伊人直播, said: 聽鈥淲e are delighted to see the Dairy Nexus moving a step closer to opening on our Barony campus.聽
鈥淚t encapsulates our mission to drive imaginative new ways of working between business, government, communities, and universities to support a green recovery in remote and rural parts of Scotland.
鈥淚t will also support the work of the Digital Dairy Chain at Barony, which is focused on developing digital connectivity, stimulating research and new product development, supporting business growth and attracting talent and skills, across the region.鈥�
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), said: 鈥淭he dairy sector is one of South-West Scotland鈥檚 cornerstone industries, and we want to ensure that it remains in that position for many years to come.
鈥淭hat is why we see the Dairy Nexus project as a crucial and game-changing investment by SOSE and our partners. It will drive innovation to allow the dairy sector to decarbonise, as well as accelerate its productivity, enhance animal welfare and develop new products from dairy resources.
鈥淒airy Nexus also has the ability to bring further investment and employment to the region, and demonstrates the South of Scotland鈥檚 commitment to becoming the UK鈥檚 first Net Zero region.鈥�
Posted by 伊人直播 on 28/10/2024
