Impact case study database

Researchers at the University of Nottingham (UoN) played a key role in changing practice in the UK dairy feed industry. Specifically, UoN research has demonstrated that wheat and rapeseed co-products are viable protein sources, and hence are suitable substitutes for soya in dairy cattle feed. Nutritional composition values determined by UoN research for wheat DDGS (w-DDGS) and a new rapeseed meal (NovaPro) (sold by AB Agri) are now used throughout the dairy feed industry. As a direct result of the UoN findings and subsequent dissemination of the results to relevant industry stakeholders, domestic w-DDGS use as animal feed increased from 200,000t to 400,000t per annum between December 2013 and 2018. By 2018, this 400,000t of w-DDGS accrued [redacted] in sales revenue and was fed to approximately 80% of the UK dairy herd. After launch in February 2019 NovaPro accrued [redacted] in sales revenue, and the use of NovaPro on 10% of dairy farms led to an increase of GBP29,284,892 in cumulative farm income between February 2019 and December 2020.

Nutritional composition values are included in industry technical datasheets and informed industry practice

Results generated by UoN research, during the ENBBIO project (4) and comparative dairy cow feeding trials (5), established definitive reference values for nutritional parameters for UK and EU w-DDGS and a new rapeseed co-product (NovaPro), respectively. These products are marketed as EU Wheat DDGS, British Wheat Distillers and NovaPro, for use in ruminant livestock feed rations (a,b). The feed products are sold by Trident and KW, both subsidiaries of AB Agri, the largest domestic supplier of protein/energy feeds into the UK animal feed market (a). The reference values (b) established by UoN included metabolisable energy values, as well as dry matter and nitrogen degradability coefficients, routinely used in the dairy industry to calculate metabolisable protein supply to ruminants (4,5). Technical datasheets, published by KW on the individual feed product profile webpages, were modified between 2015 and 2018 to include the UoN generated reference values, with these datasheets directly citing UoN data (a,b).

The technical datasheets (b) are crucial to the industry as they are used by UK animal nutrition consultants, feed companies and farmers to formulate diets accurately to maximise animal performance and efficiency. Consequently these essential industry relevant data, underpinned by robust UoN research, are now available for dairy cattle nutritionists in the UK to make informed decisions on the inclusion of w-DDGS and/or NovaPro as alternatives to soya within dairy cow diets, and to adapt feed formulations accordingly. Mole Valley Farmers (MVF) is the UK’s second largest ruminant feed supplier and Kite Consulting is the leading dairy consultancy. MVF and Kite Consulting service 15% and 50% of UK dairy sector respectively. Both companies use the w-DDGS and NovaPro technical datasheets (b) to formulate feed rations for their clientele (c,d). MVF stated “ the technical information on the [w-DDGS and NovaPro] datasheets provided by [UoN], is seen as independently verified and trusted. This is crucial as it is important to understand with confidence the value of various protein sources based on their detailed nutrient composition” (c). Kite Consulting have incorporated the information from the NovaPro technical datasheet, including data from the UoN research, into their feed database (d).

Providing evidence of the efficacy of w-DDGS and influencing uptake, to reduce reliance on soya

The DEFRA funded ENBBIO project on w-DDGS was aligned to UK animal feed industry requirements and provided confidence to stakeholders across the sector, including bioethanol companies (eg. Ensus & Vivergo), animal production levy body AHDB, major UK feed companies (eg. AB Agri), retailers (eg. M&S) and DEFRA, that bioethanol co-products can be used as an alternative to soya with no detrimental effects on animal production (4). UoN results from the evaluation of bioethanol co-products as high performing animal feeds for dairy cows were disseminated to the industry through a comprehensive final report published in March 2015 (4). Outcomes from the ENBBIO project were disseminated further through a farmer facing summarised report by AHDB Dairy in September 2015, focussing on the UoN dairy trials (e). Furthermore, two key knowledge transfer events were arranged (Future of Feeds Conferences, at Stoneleigh & Nottingham, March/April 2015) to disseminate results to project stakeholders and the wider industry. The project received widespread media coverage, for example, in a 2016 trade article for Feednavigator.com, the Head of Technical at AB Connect, the feed division of AB Agri Ltd, stated “ There is no doubt that the ENBBIO work has given the feed industry the confidence to feed wheat DDGS to livestock at significant quantities, knowing that it is a safe and cost effective feed source that delivers good nutritional value and is able to reduce the use of soy across all species while maintaining performance” (f). Increased industry confidence in feeding bioethanol co-products as an alternative to soya was demonstrated by the volume of w-DDGS AB Agri subsidiaries sold into the domestic animal feed market. By 2018 sales of domestic w-DDGS reached 400,000t per annum in the UK (a) as demand for the product increased as a consequence of the above media coverage and dissemination events; these sales represent a 100% sales increase in w-DDGS from December 2013 (a). AB Connect (AB Agri subsidiary) estimated that by 2018, this 400,000t per annum volume of product resulted in [redacted] in cumulative sales revenue for the company and was fed, either as straight feed or in compound feed, on at least 80% of UK dairy farms (a). AB Connect attributed this significant increase in w-DDGS to the UoN research, stating that “ The [UoN] research was a key influence in the significant uptake [of w-DDGS …] within the dairy industry from 2013. Due to the robust research in dairy cattle led by Professor Garnsworthy we were able to gain significant market traction with our domestic w-DDGS products as an alternative to soya in an exceptionally conservative market” (a).

Supporting the launch of NovaPro, resulted in increased milk production and income for UK dairy farmers

In response to growing retailer and consumer interest in supply chain traceability and lifecycle carbon foot printing, between 2011 and 2019 RCMA Group (a global commodities trading business) invested GBP25,000,000 into a new rapeseed processing plant (Stratford-upon-Avon, UK) to produce NovaPro and rapeseed oil ( AgriTrade News article, February 2019). NovaPro is a new rapeseed meal product, its unique selling point is that it is resistant to rumen degradation and so can deliver higher quantities of digestible protein and energy. The new plant, that opened in February 2019, only processes UK-grown, farm-assured rapeseed and has capacity to produce up to 60,000t rapeseed meal each year using a novel process ( AgriTrade News article, October 2018). The product is produced by Yelo Enterprises Ltd (a member of RCMA Group) and distributed by Trident and KW. To instil industry confidence and encourage uptake of the new product, independent research trials commissioned by AB Connect were conducted at UoN in 2016 (5). The key benefits identified through the UoN research featured prominently on the Yelo and Trident websites from 2018 (g,i), as well as in a technical data sheet produced by Yelo (g). This supported the sales and marketing of NovaPro when it was officially launched in February 2019. Prof Garnsworthy was invited to the official product launch in his capacity as an ‘ independent, well renowned speaker’ (h) to provide animal feed suppliers in the UK with relevant information from the independent trials.

Since its launch in February 2019 NovaPro has already reached 10% dairy sector market penetration (a); Trident and KW sold [redacted] of NovaPro to the dairy industry accruing [redacted] in sales revenue (a). Extrapolating the data from the UoN research (5) herds using NovaPro will have benefited from substantial increases in milk yield and hence income. AB Connect calculated that feeding NovaPro increased Margin Over Purchased Feed (MOPF) by GBP0.28 per cow per day (j). Based on the increase in MOPF achieved through feeding NovaPro (above), and 10% dairy sector penetration, the current nationwide cumulative farm business performance (income) was estimated to have increased by GBP29,284,892 between February 2019 and December 2020 (k). As a direct result of UoN research, the animal feed and livestock industries now have high confidence in NovaPro as a high performing dairy cow feed that can be used as an alternative to soya. MVF described the UoN research as a “fundamental piece of work” that “ alleviated potential concerns around recommending an alternative protein source to [their] dairy farm clients” (c). The level of milk fat and milk protein in the milk influences milk price for the majority of dairy farms in the UK. If milk fat declines this has a direct negative impact on farm income and profitability. It was a major concern for MVF in the initial evaluation of NovaPro that milk fat content could be negatively affected. The UoN research “gave [MVF] confidence that milk quality, in particular milk fat, would not be reduced” and “ *there would be no associated impact on [client] income from feeding [NovaPro]*” (c). This was a key factor in MVF’s decision to add NovaPro to their product portfolio offered to their customers (c). The robust evidence base, provided by UoN research, also influenced Kite Consulting’s decision to include NovaPro in their feed portfolio (d). Kite Consulting stated “ *[we] have benefitted from [Professor Garnsworthy’s] research as we have been able to expand our feed portfolio […] in turn enabling our clients to have an increased choice of non-soya feed [and a simplified diet formulation]. It is unlikely that we would have chosen to add NovaPro to our portfolio of recommended feeds without the findings of the research carried out by [UoN]*” (d).

Summary

Pivotal research conducted by UoN has increased industry confidence to replace soya with domestic co-products as the main protein source in dairy cow feed. UoN research data were included in technical datasheets for various co-products, which are essential to formulate feed rations and are used across the animal feed industry. Increased confidence within the dairy farm community was demonstrated by the increase of UK sourced w-DDGS sold to farmers and feed manufacturers by AB Agri subsidiaries from 200,000t to 400,000t between December 2013 and 2018, and the successful uptake of a new domestic rapeseed meal product (NovaPro) launched in February 2019. The benefit of increased milk yield achieved through switching to NovaPro, resulted in an estimated GBP29,284,892 increase in cumulative farm income between February 2019 and December 2020. AB Agri stated “ The [UoN] research behind both products has ensured that confidence in co-products has filtered through to buyers within the dairy industry, leading to successful uptake of both products” (a) resulting in cumulative sales revenue of [redacted] (a).

Actiphage^® is an innovative new test for the rapid detection of bovine TB (bTB), Johne’s disease (JD) and other mycobacterial infections. The unique selling point of Actiphage^® is that it rapidly and precisely detects live Mycobacteria in a range of sample types including blood and milk within 6 hours. This is a significant innovation over the current rapid diagnostic Mycobacteria tests that are based on immunology (e.g. IDEXX antibody test) that do not distinguish between exposure or infection and standard PCR-based tests that do not distinguish between viable or non-viable cells. The ability to identify live cells is a unique feature of the test and also allows the test to be used to differentiate between infected and vaccinated animals. Furthermore, the test can specifically identify different species of Mycobacteria in any host including humans.

Commercialisation of Actiphage^®

In 2014, a patent application to protect the UoN technology to detect Mycobacteria using bacteriophage was filed (PCT/GB2014/052970) and a spin-out company, PBD Biotech Ltd (PBD), was established to commercialise the intellectual property under exclusive licence from the University of Nottingham (UoN). Subsequently, PBD have invested [redacted] to maintain the patent, granted in Europe (April 2019) and USA (July 2019), and to trademark the technology as Actiphage^® (2017) (a). In 2017, PBD launched Actiphage^® as a kit-based laboratory test targeted at a range of markets from research to diagnostics, with a primary focus on the detection of bTB and paratuberculosis (MAP) infections in farmed animals. The technology has been recognised by nominations for several industry innovation awards, winning: the Crop or Livestock technology at Ag-in-motion Expo (Canada, 2017); the Royal Dairy Innovation Award at Dairy-Tech (UK, 2019); the West Suffolk Award for Innovation (UK, 2019); The Cream Award (UK, 2020) and made the Cognitive top #21toWatch list (top 7 in the ‘Things’ category; UK, 2020) (b).

Between 2017 and 2020, PBD raised a total of [redacted] investment funding to commercialise Actiphage^® (a,c). To date, through the commercialisation of Actiphage^®, PBD have created 3 new jobs (PBD employees) and 5 contract positions (total 8 FTE) to support R&D and international commercial activity (a). PBD offer two laboratory test kits; Actiphage^® Rapid for detection of mycobacteria within 6 hours and Actiphage^® Core for highly sensitive and specific detection of mycobacteria within 2 days. In addition, PBD sell PCR kits for use with both Actiphage^® kits. PBD has exported test kits to over 10 countries including USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Korea and Italy (a). Kits have been supplied free of charge for research and validation studies, which are required for certification under World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standards and approval for use in bTB diagnosis in the UK and in other countries. PBD also offers a diagnostic service to detect Mycobacteria species in samples from multiple animal origins including bovine, non-bovine and exotic species. PBD Biotech’s sales to date have been [redacted] (laboratory test kits) and [redacted] (diagnostic services) (a).

Application of Actiphage^® in management of exotic species

TB is a growing problem for zoos and wildlife parks and Actiphage^® has been used to test animals including bison, deer, goats, sheep, alpaca, tapir, takin, lions, parakeets and beluga wales, offering a new way of identifying TB and informing management of protected animals (a). In 2018 Actiphage^® was used to inform decision making in an Asiatic lion conservation programme. As part of extensive ante-mortum TB testing, Actiphage^® gave positive results in the case of two lions imported from India who were in quarantine at Whipsnade Zoo (7;a,d,pg2), and in the case of a female breeding Asiatic lion based at Paignton Zoo (a). In both cases, the animals were euthanized to prevent TB being spread to other breeding lions thus protecting the UK Asiatic lion collection.

Application of Actiphage® in bTB management of cattle (UK)

All testing for bTB in the UK is done under strict government control. Testing can only be carried out using tests validated to OIE standards that have been authorised for bTB testing by Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). The authorised tests are the tuberculin skin test (used for statutory bTB testing across the UK) and the interferon-gamma test (used as a supplementary test alongside the tuberculin skin test in specific TB breakdown herds). An additional OIE validated test, the IDEXX antibody test, may also be used in chronic bTB breakdowns under instruction by APHA where repeated tuberculin and interferon-gamma testing has already occurred.

The availability of Actiphage^®, and other new tests, has stimulated discussion in the media on the testing and control of bTB in the UK. The potential role of Actiphage^® in management of bTB was highlighted on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today (February 2017; November 2017; September 2018) and BBC One Six O’Clock News (December 2019) (e). Dr Rees was invited to talk about the test at the Bovine TB Symposium (March 2017), organised by the ‘Save Me Trust’ and attended by UK experts, and was subsequently invited to contribute evidence (f,g) to the review of the UK Government’s Strategy (led by Sir Charles Godfray) to eradicate bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England (October 2018). The published review highlighted the requirement for diagnostics test, noting:

“The last few years have seen new tests proposed which are currently in the early stages of commercialisation. […] Research and development to characterise the performance of novel tests and explore new options is, we believe, of high priority” (g, pg.41, 3.50).

Development and validation of new diagnostic tests require access to materials and samples from infected farms. Such access is currently restricted by notifiable disease legislation which risks hindering bovine TB control and the development of new commercial products for the international market. Altering the legislation so that it eased the provision of research material while maintaining appropriate levels of biosecurity would be helpful (g, pg.41, 3.54).

Actiphage^® was highlighted in the review as one of the additional tests that some farmers “ would like to employ […] to accelerate the removal of infected individuals and to better manage within herd transmission” (g, pg.43, 3.40).

Following extensive lobbying by the ‘Save Me Trust’, leading UK veterinarians and other interested groups, Defra gave permission for Actiphage^® to be used within a project to eradicate bTB on a farm with a chronically infected dairy herd. Within this Gatcombe Farm (Devon) project (2017), conducted under veterinary supervision, Actiphage^® was used to detect bTB positive animals, not detected using the statutory tuberculin skin and interferon-gamma tests, and inform decisions on animal exclusion (by isolation or culling) from the herd. This formed part of a comprehensive disease management system, including stringent farm hygiene practices. The herd of 350 cows was declared Officially TB Free (OTF) in May 2018 (h) allowing the farmer to trade for the first time in seven years (e). Following successful demonstration of the potential of the test to enhance a control program at Gatcombe, APHA allowed exceptional private use of non-validated tests, including Actiphage^®, for control of bTB in cattle in England (April 2018) (i).

In 2019, PBD Biotech were invited to speak to the Welsh Government about opportunities for the use of Actiphage^® testing in Wales. In Spring 2019, the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales granted permission for the first Welsh trial of Actiphage^®, conducted under veterinary supervision. This enabled detection of bTB in cattle considered at high risk of having bTB that had tested clear using the current government approved methods and informed decisions on herd management (animal exclusion). Acknowledging the need for new accurate bTB blood tests, the Vet supervising the Welsh trial stated “Actiphage^® is able to identify the presence of relatively low numbers of M. bovis in the blood stream of infected cattle. It is not dependent upon an immune system response to the pathogen - in contrast to current validated tests - and so has greater sensitivity than such as the official Tuberculin SICCT skin test. The benefit of using Actiphage^® is that it offers the potential for eradicating the disease from the farm; as early identification of animals at risk of bovine TB enables heightened disease management and control.” (j). Subsequent to the trial, in November 2019, the Welsh Government issued a new policy setting out terms and conditions for the exceptional use of non-validated tests, including Actiphage^®, as a supplementary approach to managing problem cattle herd breakdowns in Wales (k). Under the supplementary testing regime, APHA monitor the results and decide whether it is necessary to remove any direct contact animals from the herd under the Tuberculosis (Wales) Order 2010 (as amended) with compensation.

Summary

Actiphage^® is an innovative new test for the rapid detection of bTB, JD and other mycobacterial infections. The test has been commercialised through the formation of PBD Biotech Ltd, a UoN spin-out company. PBD Biotech Ltd has secured [redacted] to commercialise the technology, created 8 new jobs to support R&D and international commercial activity, and achieved cumulative sales of [redacted]. Actiphage^® has been approved for exceptional use in UK bTB control programs and is supporting veterinarian and farmer efforts to achieve OTF status on farms in England and Wales. In recognition of its potential to support control of mycobacterial diseases of livestock, Actiphage^® has received numerous industry awards.

Syngenta are a leading global agriculture company with a vegetable seed business of USD621,000,000 ( Syngenta Financial Report 2019). Syngenta supply one in five of all tomato seed varieties globally making the tomato of significant value to the company [redacted]. Syngenta’s new tomato variety breeding priorities have a major focus on traits that will reduce waste along the food chain and the company has sought new ways to extend post-harvest shelf life in tomato while maintaining excellent fruit quality. Working with University of Nottingham (UoN), Syngenta have identified, patented and deployed two novel genomic regions (QTLs) within their tomato breeding programme. Compared to current solutions on the market, such as the ripening inhibitor (rin) that has a detrimental effect on taste, these novel QTL deployment approaches provide superior tomato shelf life and flavour attributes and have driven change in Syngenta’s tomato breeding programme strategy.

Genome sequence improves Syngenta’s tomato R&D

The tomato genome sequence (1) has improved Syngenta’s tomato research and development operations. It provides the reference genome sequence for comparison of novel germplasm, such as wild tomato species, for Syngenta’s new trait discovery platform. The genome sequence has also allowed Syngenta to understand the position of all tomato genes relative to their proprietary breeding markers (a). This has enabled Syngenta’s breeding team to precisely understand the position of recombination events relative to genes and improve the accuracy of the tomato breeding process. Syngenta have used the genome sequence as part of their new trait discovery platform to identify and convert many elite lines for 50+ genetic loci responsible for a wide range of important agronomic characteristics (a). These include genes affecting disease resistance, vigour and fruit quality characteristics such as sugar content, colour, and, working with researchers at UoN, genes involved in controlling post-harvest quality. Syngenta’s Head of Global Seeds Development Traits and Regulatory stated “ *the publicly available [tomato genome] sequence complements our own genomic resources and has proved an important resource for our breeding programme” (a).

UoN contributes to innovation within Syngenta’s pre-breeding pipeline

Through working in close collaboration with UoN across 14 years, a period that spans the current REF period, Syngenta has been able to innovate within their tomato pre-breeding R&D pipeline. Significant UoN-Syngenta collaborative research projects were funded under BBSRC IPA and LINK industry schemes (G2,G3) which benefitted from [redacted] investment from Syngenta (b). Both BBSRC projects delivered on the planned research and commercial objectives, providing Syngenta with two novel genomic regions (QTLs) on chromosomes 2 and 3 that could exclusively control fruit softening during the fruit ripening process (2,3). The novel genetic material was protected by joint Syngenta and UoN patents, allowing Syngenta to establish an IP proprietary position in the USA and Europe for ‘Firmness Tomato 1’ technology (QTL2) and in multiple countries (Australia, Canada, Europe, Israel, Korea, Morocco, Mexico and USA) for the ‘Firmness Tomato 2’ technology (QTL3, includes the gene pectate lyase) (I1,I2,a). Syngenta has invested [redacted] to maintain their IP position in the territories stated. Furthermore, Syngenta is progressing the technologies in their commercial tomato breeding programme and is offering the technologies as licence options to competitor tomato breeding companies on its proprietary licensing platform Traitability (a,c). Syngenta’s Head of Global Seeds Development Traits and Regulatory described identification of the novel genetic material a ‘ major step forward as previous technologies that extended shelf life had detrimental effects on other quality characteristics’ and stated ‘ only a small number of projects based on our university collaborations result in the discovery of gene loci that have a likely significant commercial benefit’ (a).

Adoption of UoN technology within Syngenta’s tomato shelf life breeding programme

Research completed under the collaborative BBSRC projects showed the expression of candidate fruit softening genes within the QTLs on chromosomes 2 and 3 was lower in Solanum pennellii wild type tomato compared to commercial control varieties (2,3). This provided Syngenta the opportunity to manipulate the expression of candidate fruit softening genes and develop new commercial varieties by using wild type tomatoes (donor material) containing the QTLs of interest using conventional (non-GM) breeding approaches. The process of breeding new tomato varieties through conventional breeding approaches, from gene identification to availability of commercial seed, normally takes approximately 10 years depending on complexity of the target QTLs. In 2013, Syngenta deployed the genetic material into their tomato breeding programme and have achieved excellent results to date.

Donor material containing the QTLs of interest were used to initiate backcross programs in Syngenta’s nursery in Morocco (2013). For both QTL2 and QTL3, five elite breeding lines were converted over several generations across a 4 year timeline (2013-2017). The resulting converted materials were trialled during two seasons per year in a passive plastic house environment for three years in Syngenta’s breeding station in Spain (2017-2020). The fruit were phenotyped for quality traits (texture, shelf life, sugar content, size and shape) across three harvests per season at Syngenta’s fruit quality laboratories in Spain. Post-harvest quality traits were also measured (firmness during storage for ten days). Commenting on these traits Syngenta stated that ‘ Substantial improvements in fruit firmness and shelf life while maintaining excellent colour and eating quality have been obtained in various genetic backgrounds with QTL3’ (a)**. This outcome confirmed the rationale for the change in Syngenta’s breeding strategy [redacted]. Syngenta stated ‘ The long term nature of the work is a normal factor in any crop breeding programme’ (a).

Between 2013 and 2020 Syngenta invested a total of [redacted] in the validation and deployment of both QTL’s into their tomato breeding programme (a). This is [redacted] of their tomato output trait programme budget, indicating sustained investment by the company into the commercialisation of UoN technology. Syngenta’s Head of Global Seeds Development Traits and Regulatory stated ‘ adopting the UoN technology into our breeding programme has been a priority in our tomato fruit quality division and the technology is a standing item on the agenda of Syngenta Tomato Breeders Meetings*’ (a).

[redacted]

Summary

Acknowledging the importance of the tomato genome sequence in development of new varieties and UoN’s contribution to innovation within Syngenta’s shelf-life programme, Syngenta’s Head of Global Seeds Development Traits and Regulatory stated:

*“Professor Seymour has been instrumental in understanding the value of the tomato genome sequence to discover novel loci controlling fruit shelf life and delivering this important resource to a global tomato breeding company. Professor Seymour's [2016 **(3)*] discovery has provided the first real opportunity to enhance tomato shelf life while maintaining excellent flavour. This is important because at present combining long shelf life and optimal eating characteristics have proved a significant challenge. This work is a direct result of our long-standing and fruitful partnership with the University of Nottingham, which has been sustained by Professor Seymour’s collaborative approach” (a).

Following departure from the European Union (EU) at the end of the Brexit transition period (31^st December 2020), UK agriculture now operates outside of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Consequently, UK government has developed new domestic agricultural legislation (Agriculture Act 2020) and outlined policies (The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2020-2024) that replaced the CAP from 1^st January 2021. Independent evidence underpins UK government policy frameworks and, specifically, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) draws upon evidence from economic, social and operational research to address key questions facing agriculture. The UoN-led FBS research programme and UoN’s FBS linked research have directly informed the development of the new agriculture legislation and policy.

FBS and UoN Research Provided an Extensive Evidence Base

The Agricultural Bill 2019-20 (a) was announced in the Queen’s Speech on 19^th December 2019. It was given its First Reading on 16^th January 2020 and received Royal Assent on 11^th November 2020, becoming the “Agriculture Act 2020”. In line with other Parliamentary Acts, the Agriculture Act 2020 does not directly cite research but is supported by evidence collated from broad analysis and consultation. The Act is supported by two evidence packs (b,c) that drew heavily upon FBS data (4); an updated evidence compendium (d) extensively utilising FBS data (4); and UoN’s SIP reports to DEFRA (6,8). The value of the FBS and Professor Wilson’s expertise was recognised by the DEFRA FBS team leader, who stated:

“Specifically, without the FBS it would not have been possible to provide the depth of understanding and impact analyses that were produced within two evidence compendiums that support the [Agriculture Act 2020]” (e)

In total UoN-led and co-produced research datasets and outputs, provided 49% of the evidence that supported the development of the Agriculture Act 2020 that was required upon the UK’s departure from the EU (Table 1).

Table 1: Summary of FBS/UoN Evidence Sources Supporting the Agriculture Act 2020

Informing Agricultural Transition Arrangements

The Agriculture Act 2020, provides enabling powers for ministers to develop new approaches to farm support. Direct payments to farmers, in the form of Basic Payment Schemes (BPS) are currently based on the area of land farmed. This form of direct payment will be phased out in England between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2027. This seven-year agricultural transition arrangement acknowledges the reliance of many farm businesses on the BPS. The underlying data that demonstrated the reliance of key farm types on the BPS (d) were taken directly from the UoN-led FBS datasets (4).

Increasing Agricultural Productivity

The Agriculture Act 2020 makes provision for the collection and sharing of data to ‘increase productivity’ while ‘The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2020-2024’ notes that Government will “ Bring forward industry recommendations to improve the training offer to farmers and increase the use of business benchmarking” (f, pg.61). The UoN-led FBS provides a free to use farm business benchmarking service, developed and hosted by (Rural Business Research; RBR) consortium partners at Cambridge University. This benchmarking service has a user volume of approximately 47,000 visits per annum, totalling approximately 970,000 hits. Professor Wilson presented information on this free benchmarking service to the Agri-Food Council (April 2016), a decision-making group that included representatives from primary production, processing and retail sectors, and DEFRA ministers and civil servants. This meeting raised awareness of the simple to use, free service and the benefits for users. Recognising the need to understand farmer behaviour factors as a driver for business decision making, Professor Wilson’s SIP report to DEFRA (8) identified that farmers who achieved higher profits were more likely to have obtained further or higher education and also use business management advice. Furthermore, the report (8) recommended investing in enhancing managerial capacity through encouraging farmer uptake of business benchmarking. Professor Wilson also presented to a House of Lords Rural Economy Research Group (October 2015), and provided written and verbal contributions to a House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub Committee enquiry examining Price Volatility and Agricultural Business Resilience (December 2015), explicitly noting the importance of government supporting farm business benchmarking in increasing agricultural productivity. The resultant Lords report (g) cites Professor Wilson 8 times, Rural Business Research 8 times, and FBS results 7 times, including:

“A key determining factor of farm performance is the management ability of those individual farm businesses. Anything that allows farmers to access greater information - for example, benchmarking […will help to] achieve a successful business.” [pg 52, para 259]. This statement was supported in the report with FBS data : “the 2011/12 Farm Business Survey showed that 15% of farmers who frequently benchmark at whole farm level achieved an average Farm Business Income of £128,900 in contrast with £63,000 for the 85% of farmers that did not benchmark” (g, pg.52, para 258).

One of the key recommendations in the Lords report was that:

“Benchmarking in agriculture should be promoted among the farming community and encouraged by the UK Government. […] Farmers should share their data with their peers to facilitate this benchmarking.” (g, pg.52, para 261).

The importance of benchmarking was recognised in DEFRA’s ‘Farming for the future: Policy and progress update’ in February 2020, stating “ the use of farm business data for benchmarking (comparing the performance of similar businesses) is accepted across all industries as essential to driving performance and efficiency” (h, pg.27). Moreover, ‘The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2020-2024’ notes that “ We will work with the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and the Agricultural Productivity Working Groups [APWG] Key Performance Indicators sub-group to create a consistent set of indicators for farm businesses to capture key financial performance and sustainability outcomes” (f, pg.62). Following a personal invitation from the Chair of the APWG, Professor Wilson joined the APWG working group developing these potential key performance indicators. Building upon UoN’s SIP reports to DEFRA (6,8) a Sustainable Intensification (SI) benchmarking tool (focused on environmental and social data) was developed in conjunction with Cambridge University (G4). A series of 10 knowledge exchange workshops were held with farmers, advisors and consultants from across England and Wales, to demonstrate the SIP benchmarking tool (environmental and social) and FBS benchmarking tool (business management) [47,642 ‘visits’ / 971,897 ‘hits’ 2019-20] (i). A webinar tutorial was also developed [216 views].

Summary

In summary, the UoN-led FBS research programme, and specifically its highly regarded independent data sets, and FBS linked applied agricultural and economic research outputs, provided an extensive evidence base for the development of new domestic agriculture legislation and policy, following the UK’s exit from the EU. Facilitating the use of UoN research outputs in policy development, a range of knowledge exchange activities have also been undertaken. Professor Wilson and Dr Ramsden’s research and UoN delivery of the FBS programme have been recognised by DEFRA as of crucial importance to their agricultural policy development process, commenting “the FBS data and intelligence reports provided by RBR have […] enabled us to create policies that will have positive impacts on the whole of UK agriculture upon the UK’s exit from the EU. Professor Wilson’s input via leadership of the FBS has been invaluable with regards to highlighting important issues in the current farming business landscape and how these can be addressed through policies in the [Agriculture Act 2020].” (e)

As of November 2020, 64 elephants are kept in captivity, across 15 facilities, within the UK and Republic of Ireland (ROI) (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Elephant Welfare Group (EWG), 2020). Elephants are an endangered species and captive facilities undertake a vital role in conservation of the species, education and raising public awareness of conservation efforts. Within the UK, Government concerns about captive elephant welfare has put their future in UK zoos at great risk. Research undertaken by Dr Yon has informed captive elephant welfare policy and practices changes within the UK and ROI and led to improvements in elephant welfare.

Impact on UK and ROI policy: Implementation of revised guidelines and adoption of new welfare assessment tool

The research and evidence-based recommendations made by Dr Yon to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) (2), for changes to the UK Government’s Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP) guidelines on keeping elephants, were released to UK zoos in late 2014 and fed directly into the UK Government’s five-year review of elephant welfare. These recommendations ‘directly and substantially influenced’ evidence-based changes to the SSSMZP (a). The majority (70%) of the recommendations made to DEFRA (2) were incorporated into the updated UK SSSMZP guidelines, published in June 2017 (b,c). The recommendations were adopted in their entirety by the ROI and included in the 2016 Irish Government’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice (d). The current and former Chairs of the BIAZA EWG stated that ‘ These standards have had more of an impact on elephant welfare improvements than any other document in the last 40 years’ (e).

The Elephant Behavioural Welfare Assessment Tool (EBWAT) devised by Dr Yon was rolled out at the end of 2014, and in 2015 BIAZA’s EWG advised all UK and Irish zoos to commence using the new EBWAT with their elephants. Since 2017, use of the EBWAT became compulsory for all zoos as part of the UK Government’s updated SSSMZP guidelines, which state that ‘ The individual behaviour of elephants must be continually monitored and assessed, (including overnight behaviours) using welfare monitoring tools produced by Defra/ZEC-endorsed elephant management groups’ (b, pg. 7). Information provided through widespread use of the EBWAT in UK zoos has allowed zookeepers and researchers to further understand the welfare of captive elephants, has informed management and husbandry changes (described below) and has provided crucial data to inform future Government policy. Dr Yon and her team have led the collection and analysis of EBWAT data and the write-up of the BIAZA EWG’s Ten-Year Report to the UK Government (completed late 2020, submitted early 2021). The Ten-Year Report will inform the UK Government on progress made by zoos on husbandry changes and improvements to elephant welfare, and will provide the evidence base on which subsequent Government decisions will be taken on whether UK zoos should continue to hold elephants. The Veterinary Adviser to the Animal Welfare Policy team in DEFRA, and DEFRA representative member of the EWG, confirmed that ‘Dr Yon’s collaboration and support for this work has been essential in providing key evidence for this policy area’ (a).

Improved awareness of welfare issues and implementation of changes to UK zoo practices

Since 2015, widespread implementation by UK zoos of the recommendations made by Dr Yon in the DEFRA report (2), alongside the updated UK SSSMZP guidelines and the mandated EBWAT, has resulted in an improved awareness of behavioural and welfare issues in captive elephant collections and led to changes in the care, management, husbandry, feeding practices, and housing of UK zoo elephants (detailed below).

In line with Dr Yon’s recommendations (2) on elephant enclosure sizes and use of sand or an alternative soft substrate (reflected in the revised UK SSSMZP guidelines **(b, pg. 5)**), of the 12 collections that held elephants both in 2014 and 2020, 7 (58%) had increased the size of the indoor and/or outdoor enclosure by 2020 (f, pg. 6). Meanwhile the use of sand as a soft substrate within the indoor enclosure used by elephants at night increased from 38% to 77% of zoos between 2014 and 2020 (f, pg. 6).

To date, 475 entries for 65 elephants have been completed using the EBWAT, representing all 15 UK elephant holding zoos (which kept elephants between 2015 and 2019) utilising the tool to monitor elephant welfare (f, pg. 8). Many keepers have reported that they have used the results from the EBWAT to identify areas of welfare concern in their elephants, and to track behaviour over time, which they otherwise wouldn’t have time to observe. A number have indicated that they use results from the EBWAT to make decisions about any changes they need to make to their management and husbandry practices for their elephants (f, pg. 9, g). Feedback collected indicated that the tool ‘can make any problems clear and the improvements you will see throughout the EBWAT’ and that is had benefitted their work by ‘identifying trends in behaviour’ (f, pg. 9). Furthermore, keepers are able to ‘improve enrichment or out of enclosure time based on behavioural issues’* observed using the EBWAT, and are therefore better able to respond to their elephants’ needs (f, pg. 9).

Dr Yon’s research, the resulting SSSZMP guidelines revisions and the EBWAT, have also influenced key decision-making by zoos on keeping elephants. For example, it ‘directly informed changes in elephant management at Twycross Zoo resulting in substantial improvements to elephant welfare’ (g). The results from the EBWAT were ‘used to inform the decision by Twycross Zoo to ultimately stop keeping elephants, and in 2018, they were sent to another zoo in the UK which we felt could provide a better positive welfare experience’, where their long-term management and welfare, at Blackpool Zoo, has been substantially improved (g). As the former head elephant keeper (2013-2020) at Blackpool Zoo attests, the EBWAT permitted them to ‘pick up significant changes in the welfare of individuals’ and ‘also highlighted areas for improvement’ (g). Furthermore, ‘ the significance of the EBWATs importance in the management of elephants within captivity, by providing a robust tool in which to record and track progress, has been key to improvements in animal welfare’ (g).

Impacts on elephant welfare: Indications of improvement in UK zoo elephant welfare

The improved awareness of behavioural and welfare issues in captive elephant collections and the changes made to UK zoo elephant management and care, as detailed above, have resulted in demonstrable improvements to elephant welfare, as evidenced by data collected using the EBWAT across all elephants in the UK (f). Between 2015 and 2019, fewer elephants have been observed displaying stereotypical behaviours (an abnormal behaviour, these are a negative welfare indicator) during the day or at night, while positive affiliative social behaviour between elephants has remained stable throughout this period, indicating that changes made have impacted positively on elephant wellbeing (f, pg. 8). For example, one case study on a collection with four elephants showed a reduction in the occurrence of daytime stereotypical behaviour between 2016 and 2019, following an enclosure refurbishment (see graph right; f, pg. 17). Changes made to elephant enclosures, in line with the recommendations made by Dr Yon and her team on enclosure size and substrate use, have also led to a steady improvement in elephant foot health, with only 10% of elephants reported as suffering from ‘severe’ foot health issues in 2019, compared to 24% in 2015 and 52% as initially recorded in 2008 (f, pg. 16). Increases in enclosure size (as reported above) have also been associated with a reduction in stereotypical behaviour observed (f, pg. 12).

The current and former Chair of the BIAZA EWG confirmed that ‘Dr Yon’s contribution as Head of the Behaviour subgroup of the EWG has been integral to the development of welfare markers and improvements in elephant welfare in the UK’ (e).

International impacts: Changes to captive elephant management policies and practices beyond the UK

As a result of her research on elephant behaviour and welfare and her key role in reforming the UK SSSMZP guidelines, Dr Yon has been invited by several international organisations to provide expert advice and guidance on elephant welfare issues (h). She is currently advising numerous elephant-holding facilities around the world (in S.E Asia, USA, and southern Africa) on elephant welfare and management issues and the use of the EBWAT (h-j). Dr Yon’s recommendations and collaboration with these facilities has resulted in changes to elephant management and subsequent improvements to elephant welfare.

For example, in June 2017, Dr Yon organised and delivered an elephant welfare workshop in Chiang Rai, Thailand in collaboration with colleagues from the non-profit organisation Shape of Enrichment, the Singapore Zoo and the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. This was delivered to 19 people (participants) representing 11 facilities and institutions from across Thailand and Myanmar and has subsequently led to changes to elephant husbandry by Elephant Valley Thailand in their facilities in Thailand and Cambodia (h, pg. 3,10).

At the Barumun Nagari Wildlife Sanctuary in north Sumatra, Indonesia, home to 15 Critically Endangered Sumatran elephants, Dr Yon has worked with the facility since 2019 to introduce the EBWAT tool to ‘assess the welfare of our elephants and make key changes to their management’ (i). The resulting management changes, based on ‘ recommendations made by Dr Yon from her research and work on the SSSZMP guidelines’ included improved access to water, the provision of sand substrate for lying rest, and additional social contact, leading to a ‘sustained impact on the Barumun Nagari Wildlife Sanctuary’ (i).

Since March 2019, Dr Yon has worked with a consortium of 11 elephant welfare facilities across southern Africa to develop welfare guidelines for these facilities and provide training and support to the owners and caretakers of the elephants. **‘ Dr Yon’s research on Elephant Welfare and her work on the UK’s SSSMZP guidelines have directly informed the development of the “Guidelines for Welfare & Management of Elephants in Human Care” which will form elephant welfare standards for a consortium of facilities across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa’* (j). These guidelines (finalised in December 2020) and the research-based recommendations made by Dr Yon have already been implemented at the Jafuta Reserve, where changes made to the care of their elephants have led to ‘less stereotypical behaviours’, ‘more investigative behaviours’, ‘more affiliative behaviours’, ‘more lying rest’ and a general improvement to the welfare of their elephants (j). Dr Yon’s expert advice and research ‘has directly informed the changes made to the way captive elephants are managed in the region, leading to significant welfare improvements’ (j).

Mastitis is a significant endemic disease in the UK dairy industry affecting animal welfare, milk production and treatment costs. The AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control Plan (DMCP, formerly DairyCo Mastitis Control Plan) has dramatically reduced mastitis rates and improved finances on farms implementing interventions across approximately 40% of the UK dairy herd. This has led to a national reduction in clinical mastitis (CM) and subclinical mastitis (SCM) levels. The DMCP is regarded as the gold standard for mastitis control within the UK dairy industry, has received European acclaim and has been implemented in Denmark through a successful pilot.

Benefits and uptake of the DMCP in the UK

The DMCP, a ‘paid for’ service sitting in AHDB Technical Services, is delivered across the UK by specially trained vets and consultants (Plan Deliverers). As the DMCP website explains ‘ University of Nottingham continues to contribute to and lead the technical information within the AHDB Dairy Mastitis Control Plan’ (a). Of the approximately 12,000 UK dairy farms, ‘ *a survey of Plan Deliverers in 2018 suggested that the Mastitis Control Plan has been used widely in practices/ businesses that work with approximately 40% of the national dairy herd’ (b, pg. 7)**.

The DMCP can benefit dairy farms of all types and sizes by offering farm-specific interventions to control and reduce mastitis. This results in a marked beneficial effect on farm finances. Data from a sample of DMCP farms between 2013 to 2016 (exact data before and after 1^st August 2013 unavailable due to the way data was recorded by DairyCo) showed an average decrease of 20% in clinical mastitis rate, from 44 to 35 cases per 100 cows per year over the three-year period (c, pg. 27-8). This equated to an estimated average net cost saving of GBP138.31 per cow over the 3 years between 2013 and 2016, even after accounting for DMCP fees and implementation costs (c, pg. 28). Based on the number of DMCP plans in place between 2013 and 2016 (1,044) and the number of cows known to be on these DMCP plans, between 2013 and 2016 there was an estimated total net cost saving of approximately GBP11,000,000 - GBP12,000,000 per year across the farms using the DMCP (c, pg. 28).

Experiences of DMCP in the UK; a farm example

One 800-cow herd in Oswestry, Shropshire (d), was experiencing CM rates of close to 70 cows per 100 cows per year, at a cost of approximately GBP120,000 per year. Following implementation of the key actions identified in the DMCP, between 2014 and 2016 there was a CM decrease of approximately 30 cases per 100 cows, more than halving the original CM rate (d, pg. 1-2). The total cost for CM was almost halved, a cost saving of GBP57,000. As the farm explains: “ We were using less and less mastitis tubes, so I knew cases were coming down. Even so, I was staggered when I saw that we’d cut our costs in half. It shows that if you put the Mastitis Control Plan in place and follow it through, you’ll see the benefit” (d, pg. 1-2).

Influence on mastitis control in the UK

The DMCP is highly regarded and influential in mastitis control in the UK dairy industry. At the 30^th annual British Mastitis Conference in November 2018, it was noted the DMCP ‘ *is accepted in the UK as a gold standard in mastitis control’ (e(a), pg. 166)**. Similarly, the Cattle Health & Welfare Group (CHAWG) 4^th Report 2018 highlighted that ‘ the DMCP was perceived as a ‘gold standard’ approach to mastitis control’ as it ‘is an effective, evidence-based, nationwide plan for mastitis control that has been shown to have excellent clinical efficacy’ (e(b), pg. 31). CHAWG is an independent group of key industries and farming bodies that meets to collaboratively address relevant cattle health and welfare issues. In 2019 two key UK veterinary organisations, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and British Cattle Veterinary Association, produced a report including ‘ 14 landmark stories’ (e(c), pg. 3) on evidence-based veterinary medicine. The DMCP was included as 1 of these landmark stories (e(c), pg. 10). The DMCP principles are an integral component of the Mastitis element of the GB Dairy Cattle Welfare Strategy 2018-2020 (e(d), pg. 4), a national strategy of priority areas for cow welfare developed by CHAWG. The DMCP is also highlighted by the Red Tractor, the UK national farm assurance provider, as a key mastitis control measure (e(e), pg. 37). The DMCP has been continuously funded by AHDB since 2009 and is the longest running non-government funded endemic disease control scheme in the UK; a clear indication of its success and contribution to UK mastitis control. As the AHDB Lead Veterinary Science Expert comments ‘ AHDB recognises the global-leading expertise in bovine mastitis control at the University of Nottingham’ (e(f), pg. 2).

Reductions in mastitis (clinical and subclinical) in the UK

The DMCP has been used in approaching half (40%) of all dairy herds in the UK (b, pg. 7), with an average decrease of 20% in mastitis on farms using the DMCP (c, pg. 28) and a decrease of greater than 50% also reported (d, pg. 1-2).

At a national level, the CHAWG reported in 2020 that there had been a decrease of 40% in the incidence rate of CM between the end of December 2013 and the end of March 2020, from 43 to 26 cases per 100 cows (f(a), pg. 36)), as reported by Kite Consulting, a consulting firm highly regarded in the dairy industry. A decrease of 38% from 58 to 36 cases per 100 cows between the end of March 2013 and the end of March 2020 was reported by Kingshay Dairy, Independent Dairy Specialists (f(a), pg. 36) (exact data between the end of March 2013 and 1^st August 2013 unavailable). This substantial reduction in CM rate represents an important improvement to dairy cow welfare. Since there are approximately 1,900,000 dairy cows in the UK ( ahdb.org.uk/dairy/uk-and-eu-cow-numbers) and based on an average cost of clinical mastitis of GBP300, the national decrease of between 17 (Kite) and 22 (Kingshay) cases per 100 cows represents a cost saving of approximately GBP95,000,000-GBP125,000,000 to the UK dairy industry as a whole between the end of March 2013 and the end of March 2020 (figures between the end of March 2013 and 1^st August 2013 unavailable) .

Since 2009, when the DMCP was implemented, there has been a decrease in SCM as measured by somatic cell counts (SCC), an indicator of infection. There was an average decrease of 15% in SSC between 2009 and 2019, of which a decrease of 6% occurred between August 2013 and July 2020 (177,000 to 166,000 per ml) (f(b)). SCC are currently at their lowest level in 17 years (SCC records began in 2003) averaging 161,000 per ml between 1^st January and 31^st July 2020. These peaked at an average of 197,000 per ml in 2008 (f(b)).

European recognition and adoption

The DMCP is highlighted as the key national approach to mastitis control in a European Commission Report in 2016 evaluating measures to ensure the welfare of cattle on dairy farms (g(a), pg. 5-6). The DMCP has been piloted in Denmark for a national initiative to improve CM and SSC. As a Senior Specialist in Livestock Innovation at the Danish Agricultural and Food Council explained in November 2019: “ The outcome of the Danish initiative was considered a success and models for the roll out of the initiative on a national basis are now being considered ” (g(b)).

Research completed within two Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) between Professor Ian Fisk and Pipers Crisps (PC) has enabled the company to develop a robust technical understanding of their products and consumer preferences, and embed new processes and decision-making tools for new and existing product development. The direct transfer of research outcomes into PC increased the quality and stability of their product, significantly expanded their business through the development of new products and entering the global export market for the first time. The cumulative effect of 6 years of interaction with UoN has resulted in total attributable cost savings and sales of [redacted] and the creation of 6 new roles (3 technical and 3 skilled manufacturing roles) between 2016 and 2019. This growth, in addition to the knowledge and understanding transferred into the company and resultant behavioural change in decision making substantially transformed PC and led to the acquisition by PepsiCo for >GBP20,000,000 (i).

The company initially engaged with Fisk in 2013 through a KTP project (G2) with the aim of improving understanding of oil stability and rancidity to enable extended product shelf life. The company then employed new technical staff who underwent training through UoN Flavour and Sensory Science short courses and training and mentoring by UoN staff. A second KTP with PC in 2015 (G3), transferred higher level flavour and sensory science knowledge to PC. This led to a mechanistic understanding of flavour and flavour instability in their products and developed product specific sensory protocols and a sensory team. These developments led to improved new and existing product development processes which further extended shelf life and increased product consistency and consequently enabled the development of new, consumer insight led, flavours and seasonings and products.

Enhanced seasoning understanding led to the design and delivery of two new products

Consumer insight research findings from the second KTP (G3) led to two new product categories being targeted - vegetarian and gluten free. UoN’s development of a rapid flavour profiling tool (7) and subsequent factory trials at PC (b – pg3, q1), directly resulted in the development of two new vegetarian products being brought to market. The first product - Atlas Mountains Wild Thyme and Rosemary (WTR) - launched in 2016 was PC’s first new flavour in four years (a – pg2, b – pg3, q1) and was subsequently awarded UK winner in the Crisps and Nuts Category 2018 by the Chefs Choice Awards for quality and innovation. The second product – Delicias Jalapeño and Dill (JD) - was launched in 2017 and awarded bronze in the Savoury Snacks & Crackers category of the Free From Awards in 2019.

Attributable sales of each of the new products since launch are shown in Table 1, with cumulative sales between 2016 and 2019 totalling [redacted] (d).

Table 1: Total attributable sales of new products (UK and export), correct as of October 2019. All figures obtained from (d).

[redacted]

An understanding of how lipid oxidation progresses in these products and how flavour binds to components in the seasoning base, specifically carbohydrate, lipid and protein fractions, (4-6), enabled the two new vegetarian products to be formulated without gluten. This fundamental knowledge was combined with the rapid flavour profiling tool developed by Fisk (7) to accelerate the re-profiling of all PC flavour and seasoning carrier combinations. In November 2016, PC announced its complete range had been reformulated to be gluten-free (j) which facilitated continued market expansion. The innovative nature of PC’s products is directly credited to the new scientific capability embedded within the company via the UoN-PC KTP, with the Founder of PC commenting that they now ‘[put] real science behind the things we do … [allowing] us to develop further new and successful products’ (a). Furthermore, its impact on the company’s turnover led to recognition by the Grocers ‘Fast 50’ due the companies 21.2% annual growth rate between 2015 and 2017 (c).

Greater frying process control led to reduced production costs and improved resource-use efficiency

The quality of all PC products was enhanced through optimisation of frying oil stability during production. This stemmed from a fundamental study on high free starch fried snacks that identified the optimal frying oil fatty acid profile (5). PC integrated this into all production lines by modifying the fatty acid profile of the frying oil, the ratio of free:bound fatty acids and frying processes in their standard operating procedures (e - pg3-4, q7). As a result of these changes during the first KTP, raw material costs were reduced and product shelf-life was increased from 16 to 26 weeks, resulting in less wastage and the development of a competitive export strategy (e - pg5, q10, ‘Exports’).

PC reduced their annual raw material costs by [redacted] initially in 2018, and a further cost saving of [redacted] in 2019 (d) making total attributable cumulative savings from enhanced frying oil stability [redacted].

Enhanced oil and seasoning stability led to international export

Optimisation of frying oil stability in the first KTP (detailed above) led to a 63% increase in shelf life of products and opened up new export markets, previously inaccessible due to short shelf life. The second KTP determined that the shelf life of the seasoning was further compromised by both poor pack integrity and high ambient pack oxygen content and that nitrogen gas flushing and new packaging materials were required to further improve seasoning stability (6). Furthermore, the finding that certain proteins when in a dry seasoning state (6) can enhance oxidative stability was used to optimise seasoning blends. Implementation of both across all exported product ranges, allowed PC to extend the shelf life from 26 to 40 weeks (b - pg5, q6), enabling expansion and access into ‘markets in SE Asia and USA’ for the first time (b – pg5, q4).

Initial export sales totalled [redacted] in 2018,which ‘was only possible due to the extended shelf life and new packaging technologies implemented in [the KTP] project’ (g). In 2019 international sales were [redacted] across 42 countries worldwide (d), making the total attributable cumulative export sales [redacted].

Greater seasoning process control led to reduced seasoning costs

Poor seasoning design, low adhesion rates and ineffective application at PC resulted in excess seasoning being applied and unnecessarily high seasoning costs. Optimisation of seasoning design during the second KTP (6) led to PC investing in new equipment (gravimetric flavour application loop) that increased consistency of flavour application (b - pg2, q1). This resulted in cost savings of [redacted] per year per flavour (d). Currently PC have 9 flavours therefore savings were [redacted] in 2019 (d). Savings in previous years were reported as [redacted] (2017; b – pg9, q13) and [redacted] (2018; g), bringing the total attributable cumulative seasoning savings to [redacted].

Growth driven by knowledge exchange and a step change in skill acquisition and training within the organisation

The initial KTP project resulted in specialist training of 11 members of staff and creation of 2 new jobs in 2015 (e - pg7, q14). The second KTP project built capacity within the organisation through the additional training of 18 members of staff, resulting in media coverage from the BBC (f), and creation of 1 job in 2017 (b - pg9, q14) and 3 subsequent new positions up to September 2019 (d). Since the initial KTP PC has grown from a small snack producer with a turnover of [redacted] in 2015 (e – pg4, q9) to a turnover of GBP11,631,344 (correct as of January 2019) (h, pg11).

The strengthening of skills and competencies of existing staff, creation of new roles and acquisition of new technical capabilities through the KTP has been transformative on PC. Acknowledging the impact of the KTPs, the Managing Director of PC stated:

‘the KTPs directly changed the culture of the organisation […] we are now a science led company that makes informed decision through robust consumer insight testing and a greater understanding of the products and processes that we use. This is entirely due to the transfer of technical knowledge from [Ian Fisk’s] research and work processes into the organisation and has enabled the company to grow its UK turnover, develop an international sales programme and become a truly global brand’ (g).

Summary of total attributable impact

The cumulative effect of the 6 years of interaction with UoN has resulted in a total attributable savings/sales to PC of [redacted] (Table 2) and has underpinned the acquisition by PepsiCo for >GBP20,000,000 in February 2019 (i).

Table 2: PC cumulative sales and savings between 2016 and 2019.

[redacted]

Syngenta are a leading global agriculture company with sales in seedcare products of USD1,100,000,000 ( Syngenta Global, 2019). Syngenta’s major seedcare brands include Vibrance™ for broad spectrum disease control for all major crops and optimum protection against Rhizoctonia spp. Vibrance™ includes sedaxane, a fungicide in the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) class, which has a biostimulant effect. Syngenta’s expanding Vibrance™ portfolio includes Vibrance™ Duo for wheat, Vibrance™ Gold for other cereals, and Vibrance™ OSR for oilseed rape (OSR). Dr Rumiana Ray, University of Nottingham (UoN), played a key role in evaluating the performance of the Vibrance™ active ingredient (sedaxane) in wheat and OSR. UoN research delivered key outcomes that have been used by Syngenta since 2017 to support international registration and launch of the new Vibrance™ products. This has enabled Syngenta to establish a new ‘biostimulant and root health’ market. Furthermore, the fundamental mechanistic understanding provided by UoN research has increased industry confidence in the Vibrance™ product portfolio and uptake by end users.

UoN research contributed to ‘biostimulant and root health’ market position and uptake of Vibrance™

UoN research showed that sedaxane had a biostimulant effect and provided comprehensive understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms resulting in improved crop performance under abiotic stress (eg drought) (2). This directly contributed to innovation within Syngenta’s crop protection product portfolio through providing Syngenta with critical scientific evidence to establish a new ‘biostimulant and root health’ market (a) and to register and sell Vibrance™ fungicide packages with ‘biostimulant’ label claims (b). Syngenta first used the biostimulant label claim on Vibrance™ Gold, a cereal fungicide package which improved seedling establishment, which was registered in France (2017) after independent verification of the biostimulant effect (b).

Subsequently, Syngenta used the biostimulant label claim on Vibrance™ Duo, a broad spectrum seed treatment registered in 2017 for the control of a range of soil-borne diseases in winter wheat, winter triticale, winter rye, spring oats and barley in Europe (b). Vibrance™ Duo substantially boosted crop growth (2) and the contribution made by UoN towards understanding the physiological response in wheat was recognised in Vibrance™ Duo marketing literature, including the product landing page, post-launch product update and product brochure (c). Acknowledging the contribution of UoN research, Syngenta’s former Technical & Solutions Manager for Seedcare stated, *‘Syngenta have worked with Dr Rumiana Ray on developing our understanding of the new seed treatment active substance, sedaxane… considerably [enhancing] our understanding of sedaxane and [facilitating] its successful introduction in the UK and other markets. [...With] Dr Ray we were able to show that under drought stress that sedaxane was able to up regulate certain genes which allowed wheat plants to more effectively photosynthesise than untreated plants [… demonstrating] that the product has properties over and above fungicidal action. […] Dr Ray’s *research has been extremely valuable in helping to position sedaxane in a highly technical and competitive market, allowing us to quickly gain industry confidence and market traction’ (a).

To establish the ‘biostimulant and root health’ market, provide industry wide confidence in Vibrance™ Duo product claims and support product uptake, Dr Ray was invited to present findings of the UoN research (2) and crop trials at Syngenta’s Vibrance™ Duo European product launch (March 2017, UK) (a). The event was attended by 100 companies representing Syngenta’s European key corporate account holders for crop protection. Dr Ray was also invited to speak at multiple Syngenta annual Root Health Forums (5 invitations, 2013 onwards), providing scientific information and knowledge directly to global industry and research communities to facilitate the uptake of Vibrance™ (d). Through the support of Dr Ray in establishing and disseminating the strong scientific basis for Vibrance™ Duo product claims, Syngenta have quickly gained industry confidence and market traction for Vibrance™ Duo (a). Syngenta estimate that 60% of UK farm advisors were aware of the benefits of using the product (2019). Furthermore, 20% of UK farmers were using Vibrance™ Duo and realising the crop establishment benefits on wheat (2019) (a). ‘[Syngenta] also used the data to support subsequent launches of the product in 21 EAME [Europe, Africa and the Middle East] countries between 2017 and 2020. Vibrance^TM Duo is a strong product in this region, with an average uptake of 80% in wheat farmers […] Vibrance^TM Duo was surely the starting point and since then we have launched a series of new products containing this technology within the evolution of our portfolio. Rumiana Ray had a huge impact on the general technology and marketing message map behind the active ingredient sedaxane’ (b).

UoN research contributed to yield and farm income increases

UK wheat farmers face increased threats from soil-borne pathogens causing yield reduction due to losses in emergence and establishment (3-5). The launch of Vibrance™ Duo provided a new solution for farmers for improved crop establishment and protection of root health. Syngenta conducted further field trials to quantify the yield benefits to farmers on a commercial scale. Syngenta trials across 64 UK farms showed Vibrance™ Duo increased wheat yields an average of 0.34-0.51 t/h across two soil types and cropping rotations (a). Based on Defra Farm Business Survey wheat production data (UK wheat area and price per tonne), assuming no change in input costs or output prices, a yield enhancement of 0.41 t/h from a 20% UK wheat area adoption of Vibrance™ Duo, provided an additional UK farm business income (profit) of GBP24,083,400 per annum (2019) (e).

UoN research supports Vibrance™ OSR product registrations

The EU restriction on crop protection actives in 2018 left a gap in the seed protection market, with the leading thiram-based treatments being no longer approved for EU and UK use in OSR. Rhizoctonia spp. cause a wide range of commercially significant crop diseases yet little is known about the prevalence of soil-borne pathogens in soils as they are difficult to detect. Using novel molecular assays (3-5), UoN provided Syngenta and EU regulatory authorities with information on the prevalence of Rhizoctonia spp. in UK and EU soils and identified crops/fields at risk from infection (5). Specifically, research within the Innovate UK ICAROS project (G4) has been used to inform expansion of the Vibrance™ product portfolio to include protection for OSR in the EU, marketed as Vibrance™ OSR (b). Acknowledging the role UoN research has played in this area, Syngenta’s Seedcare Technical Expert EAME (Europe, Africa, Middle East) stated, ‘ *Syngenta have the chemistry but not always the ability to identify pathogens which need to be targeted. The collaboration with Dr Ray has been unique for Syngenta, allowing us to access detection tools not available anywhere else. […] The ICAROS project has paved the way for Vibrance™ OSR registration our first commercial seed treatment to act against Rhizoctonia solani’ (b).

UoN research drives demand for Vibrance™ from seed companies

Sedaxane, as part of Vibrance™ is the first Syngenta molecule developed specifically for seed treatment, as such, market access requires uptake from seed companies. The ICAROS project demonstrated to seed companies that Vibrance™ provides best in class protection against Rhizoctonia spp. (5) and generated significant interest amongst OSR seed companies. Specifically, Norddeutsche Pflanzenzucht Innovation (NPZ), who hold the largest market for OSR seeds in the EU, travelled to the UK to view UoN field trials (f). Based on UoN results that demonstrated a strong effect of Vibrance™ OSR on R. solani AG2-1, NPZ requested Syngenta arrange emergency product registration in Germany to enable testing using NPZ seed. This allowed Syngenta to sell an initial [redacted] of Vibrance™ OSR to NPZ (June – Sept 2020) (b). Acknowledging the role UoN and Syngenta’s collaborative research has played in this area, NPZ’s Seed Technology Manager stated that these research outcomes had led to a change in their crop product registration portfolio strategy, ‘Dr Ray’s findings have demonstrated the potential impact R. solani AG2-1 can have on OSR, which has led us to continue to monitor for R. solani in our winter OSR crop and extend the monitoring in our trial network. […] The ICAROS project [supported] our decision to request Vibrance^TM OSR from Syngenta and hence support them in their application for emergency registration. The ICAROS project has increased our awareness of R. solani AG2-1 as an OSR pathogen and provided evidence for the efficacy of Virbance^TM OSR and we are continuing to work with Syngenta to make the product available to OSR growers in key EU countries’ (f).

Summary

Pivotal research conducted by UoN has increased industry confidence and uptake of Syngenta’s first broad spectrum seedcare brand Vibrance™. Research outcomes have underpinned UK sales of Vibrance™ Duo and yield benefits have been realised by the 20% of UK wheat farmers who have adopted Vibrance™ Duo as part of their crop protection strategies. This has led to a cumulative additional UK farm business income of GBP24,083,400 per annum (2019). Vibrance™ OSR has gained significant pre-registration market traction as the ICAROS project demonstrated the need for Vibrance™ OSR to protect against R.solani AG2-1. A major OSR seed company requested emergency product registration, which allowed Syngenta to trade [redacted] of product between June and September 2020.