Genetic Improvement Networks (GINs) provide a key link between industry and academia to ensure that genetic research addresses the needs of the industry, and help tackle longer-term issues through breeding efforts. The James Hutton Institute and NIAB have received funding from Defra to scope out a business case for the establishment of a Soft Fruit Genetic Improvement Network, and views from the soft frut industry are being sought to help inform the process.

The UN Climate Change Conference of Youth (COY [3]) will take place in Glasgow from the 28-31 October. The event is regarded as the largest and longest running youth event to date, gathering thousands of young changemakers from more than 140 countries. It is also hailed as the most significant youth gathering for its capacity to directly forward the official youth position in the UN Climate Negotiations.

The latest issue of Hutton Highlights, our quarterly review showing how Hutton science is driving the sustainable use of land and natural resources, is now available from our Hutton Highlights [5] pages.

Our October 2021 issue includes:

The Macaulay Development Trust with the James Hutton Institute are delighted to host the 43rd TB Macaulay Lecture, live and online on Tuesday 2nd November 2021 at 19:00 GMT, from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. Hosted by acclaimed broadcast journalist Laura Goodwin in front of a live studio audience, this COP26 adjacent lecture promises to address the subject of climate change in Scotland via the lecture’s key pillars: Acknowledge, Assess and Act.

The Mylnefield Trust have awarded the inaugural John Hillman Scholarship to Jessica Shadbolt, a PhD student at the James Hutton Institute, for research on barley breeding.

The new scholarship celebrates the life and achievements of Professor John R Hillman, an eminent plant scientist and former director of the Scottish Crop Research Institute, a forerunner of the James Hutton Institute.

Until July 2022, the James Hutton Institute’s Aberdeen site will host Compass, a sculpture by Scottish artist Annie Cattrell that draws inspiration from Scottish geology and James Hutton’s Theory of the Earth, specifically Siccar Point’s Unconformity.

Researchers from the James Hutton Institute are seeking views from anyone involved in habitat restoration or creation, from across the UK. Through a survey [10] devised in partnership with Scotland’s Plant Health Centre and NatureScot, Hutton ecologists seek to better understand the plant health risks associated with habitat creation and habitat restoration.

After a year’s break in 2020, the Macaulay Development Trust and the James Hutton Institute are delighted to host the 43rd TB Macaulay Lecture. Coinciding this year with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the lecture will be delivered on Tuesday November 2nd (19:00 UK time) by Christiana Figueres, an internationally recognised leader on global climate change, in conversation with BBC broadcaster Laura Goodwin.

An industry-wide consortium, led by producer organisation G’s Growers [13] and supported by the James Hutton Institute, the University of Dundee and James Hutton Limited, has won a UKRI-BBSRC collaborative training partnership award (CTP) [14]to provide a £3.6 million postgraduate training programme in sustainable agricultural innovation.

Chris Scott-Park, of Portnellan Farm, on the banks of Loch Lomond, has been chosen as the winner of the final NEWBIE UK award for New Entrant of the Year for 2021. Originally a successful organic beef business and winners of the James Hutton Institute’s Best Soil in Show 2015 [16] award, Portnellan Farm now features a thriving water sports business set up by Chris, with facilities available to visitors of the popular Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park area.