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Barnes, A., Shrestha, S., Thomson, S., Toma, L., Mathews, K., & Sutherland, L. A. (2014). Comparing visions for CAP reforms post 2015: Farmer intentions and farm bio-economic modelling (Vol. 3).
Abstract: This paper illustrates the impacts of two of the potential CAP reform post 2015 scenarios using an optimising farm level model and compares results with farmers’ perception about the policy changes, captured in a farmer intentions survey. The model results suggest that beef farms suffer a loss in farm net margins under fully decoupled (up to -21%) as well as under partially decoupled scenario (up to -19%) compared to current historical single farm payments. The model also shows that farm respond by reducing the number of beef animals on farm by up to 5%. However, under a partial decoupled scenario, beef farms increase calf numbers by 15% to benefit from coupled calf payment. A survey of 1,400 beef producers with respect to their intentions toward 2020 was conducted in the Summer of 2013. A set of hypothetical payment scenarios was used to test self-reported response to a number of scenarios related to expanding and extensifying. These were compared with the modelling results and found a range of responses which could, we argue, be used for future calibration and ‘sense-checking’ of results within future modelling strategies. No Label
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Shrestha, S. (2015). Comparing the cost effectiveness of GHG mitigation options on different Scottish dairy farm groups (Vol. 5).
Abstract: Greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation is one of the main challenges faced by agriculture sector especially under an increasing demand for food. Production expansion needs to be accompanied by reductions in the GHG emission intensity of agricultural products. However, any uptakes of mitigation options by the farmers depend on the cost effectiveness of adopting such options as well as the farm characteristics. A highly effective mitigation option might not be practical for a farmer if the associated costs are high. A list of mitigation option implemented on different farm types with their cost effectiveness on farms would therefore be very useful for farmers as well as policy makers to make a decision. This paper aims to explore the use of three GHG mitigation options on different dairy farm groups in Scotland and determine the cost effectiveness of each of the options in those farm groups. The mitigation options considered for this paper are; i) use of sexed semen, ii) installing and using anaerobic digester and iii) increasing the share of concentrate diet. Farm level data from the Scottish Farm Accountancy dataset (FAS) was used and a cluster analysis was carried on to identify different dairy farm groups. The potential reduction of GHG emission per farm, including emissions arising from inputs used on the farm, under each of the option is then calculated using the GLEAM life cycle assessment model. An optimising farm level model, ScotFarm, was used on each of the farm groups to determine the optimum farm net margins under a baseline situation (with no options implemented) and three mitigation scenarios. The cost effectiveness of all three mitigation options are then determined based on reduction in GHG emission per farm and change in farm net margins under those options. Initial results for the sexed semen scenario suggest that this option can be cost effective for both efficient dairy farms (-£6.26/tCO2e) and medium-sized dairy farms (-£12.56/tCO2e). No Label
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Rivington, M., & Wallach, D. (2015). Communication strategy, including design of tools for more effective communication of uncertainty (Vol. 6).
Abstract: Communication is the key link between the generation of information by MACSUR about the uncertainty of climate change impacts on future food security and how information is used by decision makers. It is therefore important to make available the common tools for reporting uncertainty, with a discussion of the advantages or difficulties of each. That is the purpose of this report. No Label
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Kipling, R. (2015). Communicating Modelling (Vol. 4).
Abstract: No abstract. No Label
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Cortignani, R. (2015). Common Agricultural Policy and climate variability changes: an impact assessment of the first-pillar reform on an agricultural area of Grana Padano in different climate scenarios (Vol. 5).
Abstract: The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy it started in 2015 with several innovative aspects. Regarding the first pillar, such aspects are especially the convergence of the basic payments, the green payments and the coupled payments. In this regard seems interesting carry out analysis about to evaluate the policy impact considering the risks and opportunities due to climate change.In this study the impact of the convergence of basic payments, the introduction of the green payments and the coupled payments has been evaluated on dairy cattle farms in the Grana Padano area. The impact has been evaluated in different climate scenarios by economic, social and environmental indicators. The methodology used is the mathematical programming and especially a model of Discrete Stochastic Programming has been used to represents farms of the FADN database.The main results show that a significant part of the farms is affected by the diversification constraint that reduces the land devoted to corn silage. Farmers could cultivate corn silage after a principal crop (e.g. ryegrass) in order to avoid the diversification constraint, however, determining a negative impact on the use of environmental resources. To consider also that in the future there is an increase of corn silage yields with long cycle.Another result to underline is that which concerns the possibility of soybean cultivation in the ecological focus areas. In fact, considering the coupled payment provided for this crop, the ecological focus areas seem to be an important source of income for the farms.Finally, the analysis shows that the convergence of the basic payment will result in a reallocation of direct payments between farms with a significant impact on farm incomes. No Label
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