Removing livestock from grasslands could compromise long-term soil carbon storage

Removing livestock from grasslands could compromise long-term soil carbon storage

40 Source: Phys Org February 4th, 2026 Article
Removing sheep and other livestock entirely from upland grasslands—a strategy often promoted as a way to boost carbon storage and tackle climate change—may actually reduce the most stable forms of soil carbon, according to new research. The study suggests that while removing livestock from upland grasslands can increase fast-cycling carbon stored in plants and dead vegetation, it can also lead to losses of a more stable form of soil carbon. This long-lived carbon, known as mineral-associated organic carbon (MAOC), is bound to soil minerals and can persist for decades to centuries, making it critical for long-term climate mitigation.
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How artificial intelligence is finding its place on UK farms

How artificial intelligence is finding its place on UK farms

38 Source: Agritech Centre February 4th, 2026 Article
Artificial intelligence has moved well beyond experimental stages in most sectors and is well-integrated into our day-to-day lives. Advances in machine learning, sensor engineering and cloud computing now deliver practical, usable systems that analyse patterns and process real-time data at scales that were unrealistic a decade ago. Across the agri-tech sector, all signs point to increasing use of AI‑enabled decision support and data analytics in farming. 
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SRUC launches world’s first open-source digital twin for dairy farming

SRUC launches world’s first open-source digital twin for dairy farming

36 Source: SRUC February 4th, 2026 Article
One of the standout features of farm-twin is its ability to integrate multiple streams of data from different vendors and visualise data through intuitive dashboards, giving farmers an at-a-glance view of their entire operation. The platform also supports predictive analytics, allowing early detection of health issues or productivity drops before they escalate. For example, the system can combine milk yield trends with live health data to detect early signs of illness, triggering alerts or automated responses.
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