Latest Briefing for 2013
Investigation Barriers to the Uptake of Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Scottish Agriculture
Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) has been an explicit goal in agricultural policy for a number of decades. The Scottish Government recently proposed a target of a 90% voluntary uptake of the most cost-effective nitrogen efficient practices in order to enable the transition towards a low carbon economy. Uptake of NUE is also implicit in regulations aimed at improving water quality, such as the designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones, of which there are four in Scotland. Despite being seen as a ‘win-win’ measure there is still potential for increased uptake of NUE within the agricultural industry.
Encouraging uptake of NUE requires co-operative action across a number of levels within the agricultural and related industries. The supply chain for Nitrogen involves advisors from industry and the public sector, researchers, policy makers, regulators and the farmers themselves. Accordingly, an innovation systems (IS) approach, which assumes that technological transformation is the product of co-operation and alignment between all the actors within an innovation supply chain, was applied to begin to address the problem of low uptake of NUE.
The IS approach helps to identify barriers and potential solutions for the implementation of innovative practices.
Read morePublished on 17 December 2013 in Climate, water and energy
Briefings for 2013
Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustaining Food Production
A recent review has considered the role of biodiversity and biophysical processes in delivery of ecosystem services in Scotland. Read more
Published on 10 December 2013 in Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
EPIC - The Scottish Government's Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks
The overarching purpose of EPIC is to provide access to high quality advice and analyses on the epidemiology and control of animal diseases that are important to Scotland and to best prepare for the next major disease incursion. Read more
Published on 17 October 2013 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Barriers to the Uptake of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for Genetic Selection & Improvement in the Scottish Sheep Sector
Scotland has a reputation for excellence in research into livestock genetics. Genetic improvement using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) is a recognised method of enhancing productivity, profitability, and competitiveness. Read more
Published on 13 August 2013 in Sustainability and Communities , Food, health and wellbeing
Roots for Sustainability
An understanding of the interactions between roots and the soil is fundamental to food security, human nutrition and environmental sustainability. Read more
Published on 30 July 2013 in Sustainability and Communities , Climate, water and energy , Food, health and wellbeing
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Our Farm Animal Genetic Resources
This briefing focuses on a recent report on the status of the UK . Read more
Published on 1 July 2013 in Ecosystems and biodiversity
Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma - A Major Animal Health Concern for Scottish Sheep Farming
Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma (OPA) , an infectious lung cancer in sheep, has a major economic on farming. Read more
Published on 26 June 2013 in Sustainability and Communities , Climate, water and energy , Ecosystems and biodiversity , Food, health and wellbeing
Climate Change and Animal Welfare: The Good and the Bad
In recent years, the impact of climate change on our environment has become the subject of much debate. Read more
Published on 2 May 2013 in Climate, water and energy
Does Food Structure Affect Satiety?
Today we are presented with an ever increasing choice of foods to satisfy our hunger. The choice is not only what we eat but also in the form it is presented for consumption; as a solid or as a liquid. Read more
Published on 26 March 2013 in Food, health and wellbeing
Assessing Consumer Responses to Sustainable Plant-based Proteins: Identifying Barriers to Change
In spite of the increasing attention being paid to issues of food security and sustainability we do not fully understand how consumers will respond to the challenges of incorporating more sustainable but less familiar protein sources into their diet. Read more
Published on 8 March 2013 in Food, health and wellbeing
Renewable Energy and Water Resource Inter-relations
Scotland is committed to achieving substantial increases in the proportion of energy from renewable sources. Read more
Published on 7 March 2013 in Climate, water and energy
