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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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NewsAssisting the CRC's Uplands Inquiry2009-04-15 12:39:14Delta-innovation is working with the Commission for Rural Communities to support the Commission's Uplands Inquiry. Recognising both the unique role and the present problems of England’s uplands, the inquiry aims to “identify and evaluate the drivers of change in England's upland communities, and develop and promote realistic policy recommendations that enable and equip these communities to move towards more secure, economically prosperous and sustainable futures.” Reviewing the impact of animal transport legislation2009-04-15 12:37:37Delta-innovation have been commissioned by Defra to undertake a review of the impact of legislation designed to improve the welfare of animals in transport. The review will involve a wide-scale survey of farmers, hauliers, markets, abattoirs and industry bodies, to determine whether the legislation introduced early in 2007 has led to measurable changes in the welfare of animals transported, or in the attitudes and practices of those involved with their transportation. The review will span England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and will run for 12 months, from April 2009. Skills shortages hit the land based industries2008-04-09 11:14:50Six 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 gate2008-04-08 16:39:52A 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 entrants2008-04-08 16:37:13An 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.  |
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