A new multinational initiative, DIGI-Rangeland, aims to enhance how digital technologies and innovative data collection methods are tailored to the needs of livestock managers and communities in moorland areas. Moorlands—also referred to as rangelands outside the UK and Ireland—cover over a third of the Earth’s surface and are vital for extensive grazing systems that produce meat and dairy from natural vegetation.
DIGI-Rangeland is a £3 million project funded by the European Union and led by the French Livestock Institute. It includes partners from across Europe, including the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Romania. The project’s goal is to develop a digital innovation and data technology network to support livestock farming in these unique environments.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) is the UK project partner, contributing through its Hill & Mountain Research Centre near Loch Lomond. SRUC’s team will help establish a network of upland farmers and land users to explore practical digital solutions for livestock and land management. The Research Centre will function as an Upland Digital Hub, hosting events for farmers, advisors, students, and stakeholders to engage with technology-driven innovations.
Additionally, SRUC’s Rural Policy Centre will participate by engaging wider rural communities in upland areas, ensuring the digital transformation efforts also align with broader social and environmental goals.
