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Bedford i-lab
Priory Business Park Stannard Way Bedford, MK44 3RZ |
Delta-innovation is a specialist rural and agricultural consultancy, bringing together industry know-how and research expertise. We provide a broad range of advice to high profile clients in support of policy formulation and review; operational management; specialist communications to farming communities and external relations. |
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 Labour productivity monitoring extends its reach As a spin-off from the work that Delta-innovation has undertaken for DairyCo, labour productivity monitoring and analysis is now being developed across a range of farm systems. For more information on why labour productivity monitoring might benefit pig farmers we have launched a new website www.piglabour.co.uk. Skills shortages hit the land based industries Six out of ten land-based businesses experience frequent or occasional difficulty recruiting staff with the right skills, according to a survey of 473 businesses carried out by Delta-innovation and Reading University. Land-based engineering and the equine sector suffered in particular - with 8 out of 10 businesses reporting skills shortages. Fisheries management and farriery reported the lowest skills shortages, with less than 40% of businesses having difficulty recruiting staff with the right skills. Milk's carbon footprint lies behind the farm gate A project examining the impacts of liquid milk production, processing and consumption found that the major impacts on the environment occur behind the farm gate - but that some of the biggest reductions in impacts might come through reductions in the amount of milk wasted by consumers. Fertilizers and concentrate feeds together contribute an almost equivalent amount to global warming as direct methane emissions from dairy cows - and changes to farm systems to make the best use of grass, whilst reducing fertilizer inputs, presents the opportunity to reduce emissions. Interestingly, on a per tonne of protein basis, milk production is more efficient in terms of energy use than egg, pig or poultry meat production. Profit and uncertainty the major deterrents to new entrants An on-line survey of Young Farmers, conducted with the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, has revealed that uncertainty, poor financial rewards, land prices, capital costs and the difficulties of ‘breaking in’ to agriculture are seen by young farmers as the biggest barriers to young people entering farming today. Gaining a good education and farming experience are the priorities of young farmers embarking on their agricultural careers. Looking forward, profitability was seen as the key measure of success by these young farmers, indicating a highly pragmatic approach to their farming careers. Evaluating the LEADER+ funded Food and Farming Learning Project Delta-innovation is working with the National Trust in the Lake District to evaluate the success of the LEADER+ funded Food and Farming Learning Project. The aim of the project is to pilot a sustainable approach to farm based education in the Lake District. The evaluation will involve interviewing farmers and other key stakeholders within the Lakes as well as reviewing feedback from, and intervieiwing, participating schools. 
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