Karen Stewart founded KS Ruminant Nutrition Support Services in January 2026 after more than two decades working in beef and sheep nutrition. Based in the village of Newtyle, on the Angus–Perthshire border, she and her family live on their mixed beef and arable farm.
Karen grew up immersed in livestock which led her to study Agriculture with Animal Science at Aberdeen University. Following university she broadened her experience on livestock farms in Scotland and New Zealand before taking up a temporary position as a research technician at SAC Edinburgh, working on ewe and lamb nutrition trials. It was this experience that marked the beginning of her ruminant nutrition career in 2003.
Karen has a wide range of knowledge and extensive contacts from her time working in the feed industry and from 2012 working for SAC Consulting as a Ruminant Nutritionist in the Livestock Team. In both these hands-on roles she expanded her practical consultancy, research, teaching and project experience while continuing to learn from some fantastic people along the way.
Karen now operates on a freelance basis allowing her to offer beef and sheep farmers, vets, and industry partners a genuinely independent and practical ruminant nutrition support service.
Karen Stewart
KS Ruminant Nutrition - About
KS Ruminant Nutrition - Services
Karen Stewart, of KS Ruminant Nutrition Support Services, offers confidential and impartial ruminant nutrition advice and support. She has a practical and friendly approach to her work and is always happy to have a chat on the phone to discuss your requirements. Below are some examples of the services offered.
On-farm ration support
Various options for on-farm support near or far, please contact Karen for more details.
-Feed plan review & cost check
-Monthly support - ration planning & adjustments, phone advice, farm visits
-Forage & feed planning
-Specialist advice plans (help with costs through Scotland's Farm Advisory Service)
-Troubleshooting problems, working with farm vet
-Supporting farm teams, training, system change planning
Training/CPD
Practical ruminant nutrition training for stock people, vets & feed advisors to improve understanding of nutrition for health & performance. Face to face or on line courses available.
-Understanding nutrition for the ruminant animal
- Forage & Feed Management
- Forage & Feed budgeting and nutrition planning
- Minerals
- Understanding forage, feed and water analysis, metabolic blood profiles
- Practical tips for good nutrition and performance
Innovation & Knowledge Exchange
Support for ruminant nutrition projects within the industry (research institutes, industry bodies and feed companies)
- Articles & factsheets
- Project reports
- Talks & Lectures
- Presentations & webinars