Beef production is very important for Scotland's economy (economic output of £851 million in 2017) and for providing the high quality and iconic, ‘Scotch Beef’ brand. Feed for livestock represents 70-80% of the variable costs of beef production and an improvement of feed conversion efficiency is needed to keep the beef industry economically viable.
Food and Drink is a hugely important sector for Scotland and the UK economy, generating a turnover of £14.4 billion and £5.3 billion of GVA (gross value added) for the Scottish economy in 2014 alone. This sector not only has an impact on Scotland’s economy but food production can also has a significant influence on our environment, health and society and these are all areas that SEFARI research aims to a make a difference.
You may be wondering what we can do to help? Well, at the Centre for Sustainable Cropping (CSC) near Dundee, we’re aiming to develop a cropping system that can produce high quality food, whilst still maintaining a healthy environment. This means using what we understand about ecology to work with the environment to improve the health and physical structure of the soil, minimise the losses of nutrients and chemicals from cultivated fields, and support a rich variety of farmland wildlife.
The aim of this fellowship was to identify current and potential market opportunities and describe the supply chain for hempseed and fibre in Scotland.
Author: Dr Wisdom Dogbe.
Posters, showcasing research across the ENRA Portfolio, submitted to and Presented at this year's ENRA Science, Evidence and Policy conference.
Soft fruits considered in this study are Blackberries, Blueberries, Cherries, Grapes, Raspberries, and Strawberries.
The goal of the current study is:
(1) to explain the extent to which consumers’ purchases of soft fruit follow seasonal patterns;
(2) to estimate how Scotland’s seasonal patterns affect the purchase quantity/nutrient demanded, since this has significant implications for achieving the UK government's “five-a-day” policy target.
The food industry is facing a major challenge with imported food because of a lack of transparency regarding the origin of our food in an increasingly connected globe. This lack of clarity presents a range of challenges for food authenticity, ranging from safety concerns to health, religious and ethical issues.
Scotland’s pork sector is under financial pressure. One way to address this could be to increase the value added to Scottish pork. This case study, which focusses on a Scottish pork producer, provides insights into an enterprise serving the high value pork products market and the challenges it faces.
Shashika is an Applied Economist at the Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen. Her research interests include Consumer Demand Analysis, Food and Agricultural Economics, and Econometric Modelling.
The Rowett Institute
Ashgrove Rd W
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD
Alongside other activities, agriculture and food production are associated with the major pollutant gases, namely CO2 (carbon dioxide), CH4 (methane) and N2O (nitrous oxide). Unsustainable practices increase emissions and can have a direct impact on the functioning and health of our ecosystems.