Hill, Upland and Crofting Farmer-led Group: climate change evidence

Studies have found high rates of return on public investment in applied advice.

Existing in the SRDP - could be extended

Studies have found high rates of return on public investment in applied advice.

Lack of strong evidence; depends on method and context.

Can be encouraged

Support for new entrants and for continued professional development likely to increase adoption of new technologies and management practices.

Low turnover in farming.

Can be implemented

Apprenticeships, college and university courses have improved the level of specialist knowledge among farmers in other countries.

Low turnover in farming.

Can be implemented

Some countries have created "license to farm" to ensure continuous improvement of current farming systems, including environmental goals.

May be politically unpopular.

Can be implemented

Research suggests that reduction of government support for R&D in the 1980s had a negative impact on productivity.

Must be strategic, targeted, and adopted by farmers.

Can be implemented

Some evidence to support that farmers who attend improve practice on their own farms.

Unclear how it would impact farmers at scale.

Relatively untested

Have been used in Australia to implement cutting edge technologies.

Potential high costs.

None existing in Scotland

Evaluation suggests the model has been effective in improving farming performance and enterprise among active participants.

Potential high costs.

Existing - could be extended

Most studies find a negative relationship between subsidies and productivity.

May lead to significant restructuring in agriculture, particularly for smaller/more vulnerable farms.

Likely to have negative political impacts; may lead to further "middling out".

Can be implemented; may not be feasible due to Scottish agricultural context

Studies find both positive and negative impacts on productivity: increased ability to innovate/develop business; low risk and potential crowding out.

Loans may be more effective due to requirement to pay back.

May not be WTO eligible; may lead to overcapitalisation.

Can be implemented; limited by WTO rules

Younger entrants may have more innovative approaches to business, and may have stronger ICT and business planning skills.

Lack of retirement housing; lack of long leases for farmland.

Existing in the SRDP - could be extended

There are barriers to succession, meaning less productive management can continue longer than in other industries.

Lack of retirement housing; lack of business planning and succession.

Can be implemented

Evidence from Ireland suggests that tax incentives for longer tenancies on agricultural land may increase productivity.

Potential high costs, both financial and administrative.

Can be implemented

Evidence suggests some PATs can reduce fuel use and management time; there is a training requirement for farmers.

High initial costs; high training requirement; lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

Promising in increasing yield and additional benefits in managing GHG emissions

Lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

For example, nutrient management and mapping; reduced cultivations to increase soil quality.

Lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

More effective for larger herds and potential for growth; there is a training requirement.

Lack of take-up by farmers.

Can be encouraged

Appears to give significant savings in labour use.

High initial costs; lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

Studies suggest EBVs can increase profitability of livestock farms.

High initial costs; lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

Improved crop yields have not been consistent across Scottish farms; it is not clear why this is so.

Lack of take-up by farmers.

Further research required

Targeted precision livestock farming has potential to increase net margins per animal.

High initial costs; lack of take-up by farmers.

Needs wider adoption

Large farms tend to be more efficient and better adopters of new technology.

Politically unpopular "middling out"

Can be encouraged

May be of particular benefit to new entrants, through increased availability of land.

Existing - could be extended

Reduces loss and improves productivity.

Existing - could be extended

Investment in productivity should be accompanied by steps to manage and reduce risk.

Could reduce incentive to innovate.

Can be implemented

Switching from specialised farms to more mixed operations may offer opportunities for recycling of inputs, and best use of land.

High training requirement for farmers.

Can be encouraged

A wider range of crops could diffuse the intensity of work and machinery requirements over the course of the year.

High training requirement for farmers.

Further research required