Activities

Abstract:
The history of UK land use has veered from food shortage and the Dig for Victory campaign during World War 2 to overproduction and a shift of emphasis to conservation. Then, more recently there have been commodity price rises and a resurgence in anxiety about food security. But if we revert to productivism (ie the single-minded pursuit of increased production), we risk losing the ecological gains made during the past 20 years. Land is also central to our capacity to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The pressure is now on for farming to become both ecologically and economically efficient. We have to consider carefully, and debate publicly, the trade-offs that have to be made between diff...

Abstract:
This paper presents an initial analysis of reactions from within the upland farming community and relevant agencies to the Uplands Entry Level Stewardship scheme (UELS) will be introduced in July 2010 as a replacement to the current Hill Farm Allowance (HFA). Such funding mechanisms are at present critical to continued agricultural activity in the English uplands. The paper draws on interviews with stakeholders in Cumbria and forms a baseline for a ‘before and after’ analysis of the new policy. It also considers the extent to which support mechanisms reflect changing priorities and discusses how emerging agendas such as the low carbon economy, climate change, public health and food security ...

Abstract:
Organic farming is similar to conventional agriculture in that it is bifurcated in terms of production with the 10% largest farms accounting for over half of sales and half of all full time staff employed. Larger organic businesses are more orientated towards national markets and tend to produce bulk commodities. Smaller, more locally orientated producers are more likely to add value to their produce and to market locally. Consumers of organic food tend not to be particularly price sensitive and are motivated by health and environmental concerns and the desire to support British farmers. They are concerned with the freshness of the products and an expectation by some that they are locally pr...

Abstract:
Fresh water is the underpinning natural global asset. It is the limiting factor on global population growth and ultimately will be the brake on the globalisation model. Without access to suitable fresh water, the human population will not reach the estimated 9.5 billion by 2050. Food production needs to double in one generation, on top of the advances already seen in the last fifty years, in order to sustain this level of human population. Food production has a significant positive benefit to the human, however negative consequences result including soil erosion and impairment of water quality through diffuse pollution. Delivering water security, in terms of quantity and quality, will requir...

Abstract:
Livestock production brings a range of benefits to the UK food chain, the landscape and the environment. It also presents some environmental challenges but a steady increase in production efficiency over the past 30 years has reduced dramatically the environmental footprint of UK livestock farming. For the industry to continue to support the balanced diet that we need and to stay competitive in the face of climate change, increasing global population and limited resources, production efficiency will need to continue rising. To do that, producers must adapt to a changing world by using the findings of high quality scientific research. Not only will that allow them to make the most of the oppo...

Abstract:
The animal welfare debate has been developing in the UK since the 18th century and for much of that time the emphasis has been on the use of legislation to protect animals. More recently in farm animals there has been a focus on using market-led approaches. In this paper we argue that there is a strong case for examining supply-side solutions more closely, in effect asking how much animal welfare can farmers afford to deliver. The answer appears to be more than some might think. Using a range of examples we illustrate that improving animal welfare need not penalise business returns and indeed may increase profits. A greater focus on delivering improved animal welfare within a competitive liv...

Abstract:
Long regarded in the UK as the responsibility of individuals, breeders’ groups or charitable organizations, livestock breed conservation has now been recognized by the Government as a national responsibility. The National Standing Committee on Farm Animal Genetic Resources was set up in 2006 to promote conservation and sustainable development of livestock biodiversity in general. It is putting into effect a National Action Plan comprising 38 Recommended Actions. This article reports on the composition and activities of the Committee and emphasizes the importance for agricultural sustainability of a full appreciation of the value of these resources.

Abstract:
A largely elusive goal of animal breeding is to generate populations with increased disease resistance. One family of genes that plays a crucial role in immunity is the MHC (major histocompatibility complex). We are investigating genetic diversity in dairy cattle, focusing on the MHC genes. A high level of MHC variation within a population ensures a wide range of responses and a capability to cope with emerging diseases. We have studied MHC diversity in Canadian Holstein and British Friesian bulls. Results indicate a strikingly different pattern in each. We argue that it is important to maintain or increase the level of variation present in current Holstein dairy herds. Any reduction in dive...

Abstract:
Grazed grass is a great asset. It is often under-utilized and making better use of this crop which grows well in the UK could improve the country’s self-sufficiency for food at a time of rapid world population growth and new uses being found for arable land

Abstract:
The aim of this paper is to discuss the current knowledge on the use of conservation tillage within the United Kingdom and some of the potential benefits of using such a system. Historically much of the arable land area in the UK has been ploughed because the plough has many benefits including the complete burial of trash, management of weed seeds (in particular grass-weeds) and it produces a level even surface suitable for seedbed preparation. However, in recent times, under economic and environmental pressure much has been done to develop conservation tillage to reduce establishment costs and help to manage the environmental concerns, such as soil erosion and diffuse pollution often associ...

Abstract:
The future agricultural industry should be run by people who are progressive, entrepreneurial and have outstanding business management skills. They must be supported by a highly skilled operational workforce. To attract them we will need to offer better pay and housing and encourage them into lifelong learning and continuous professional development. We will often have to accommodate their requirements for new patterns of work. They will expect enjoyable and satisfying jobs and possibilities for career development. Around 6,000 recruits will be needed per year with about 1,000 of these going into salaried management roles. We must get our act together to promote an image of farming which bri...

Abstract:
In the context of the trend towards fewer and larger farms, and an ageing farming population, this paper examines the attempts by two schemes – the County Farms Estate (CFE) and the Fresh Start (FS) initiative in Cornwall – to provide opportunities for new farmers to enter agriculture in an affordable manner. The number of county farms has continued to decline since the 1950s through processes of farm amalgamation and disposal by county and unitary authorities. While the average size of those remaining has risen, this has not been at the same rate as that engendered through general processes of structural change in UK agriculture. FS has provided a range of support to help improve the vibran...

Abstract:
Farm businesses ask: “What you can do to help us with our problem, which is adapting to the changed role of agriculture in society”. This article argues that education is the under utilized component to assist change and that the education being delivered is mired in the conflict over the resources used by agriculture. It is government that has failed here, especially through the public sector agencies involved. However the farmers and their private business support are culpable in this. The answer must be for farmers to become more involved, by setting and implementing the agenda. Importantly, they need to take more direct action using the money that has been diverted away from production b...

Abstract:
Livestock farming characterises established English upland management. Economic pressures on hill farming already exacerbated by low market prices, TB and increasing costs of regulations, have intensified since the loss of headage payments per animal kept and their replacement by a Single Farm Payment from 2005. In the SW uplands, the consequent reduction in numbers of livestock and of farms keeping livestock has been combined with milder winters and warm, wetter summers allowing the development of scrub vegetation. The upland landscapes that tourists come to visit depend on grazing management as a principal tool for their maintenance. Rural tourism, including agro-ecotourism is vital to the...

Abstract:
The 23rd Commonwealth Agricultural Conference run by the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth was held in Christchurch, New Zealand. There was much talk about total resource use and alternative sources of income for farmers and show societies alike. The pre- Conference farm tour include dairy, beef, sheep, racehorse breeding, wine and the New Zealand Royal Show. At the CEO’s Day the group heard views of the future from RASE and the Royal Agricultural Societies of South Australia, Queensland and Scotland. Meanwhile Next Generation delegates heard about Societies in Canada, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Singapore and England. The full conference reviewed both global and local challeng...

Abstract:
This article explores the events leading to the appointment of the first full time Secretary to the Society, researches his background and records his career with the Society culminating with his dismissal in 1859.