Enhancing the integration of agri-food supply chains: theoretical issues and practical challenges in the UK malting barley supply chain

The purpose of this paper is to explore the issues that may affect the integration (i.e., the relationships) between the different actors that comprise a supply chain. Whist the theoretical part of the paper can be referred to any supply chain, the empirical part is focused on the UK barley to beer supply chain. The main motivation behind the topic is that improvements in the relationships amongst the different segments of a chain can enhance its efficiency and effectiveness, (e.g., through improvements in coordination and cooperation), and therefore, its competitiveness and long term sustainability. The paper is based on two complementary analyses: the first one consisted of a structural equation model (SEM) to determine those factors that affect the sustainability of relationships in the chain. The model is estimated based on a survey of 69 chain stakeholders. The second analysis comprised an in-depth case study based on an important malting-barley- to-beer supply chain in Eastern England, and had the purpose of providing further understanding of those aspects that were highlighted by the SEM. The overall results pointed out to five factors affecting the relationships in the malting barley to beer agri-food supply chain: communication, compatibility of aims in the supply chain, contractual relationships backed by professional regard and personal bonds; high levels of trust exist between the chain participants and a willingness to resolve any problems; and commercial benefit.supply chain management, malting barley supply chain, supply chain coordination, competitiveness, Agribusiness,

RED MEAT PRODUCERS’ PREFERENCES FOR STRATEGIES TO COPE WITH THE CAP REFORM IN SCOTLAND

It is recognised that following the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) farmers may go through a period of transition where they evaluate the different production alternatives available to them according to their existing situation, expectations and preferences. Drawing on a survey of Scottish beef and sheep producers undertaken in mid-2006, the purpose of this paper is to analyse the preferences of producers in relation to a number of possible economic strategies for production adjustment following CAP reform. The results show that the nature of adjustment is still uncertain, reflected in the high numbers of farmers that do not know what strategy to follow or that will maintain the same production levels despite the reform. However, a sizable percentage of farmers indicate their intentions to concentrate on the production of high quality output.Scottish agriculture, single farm payment, red meat producers., Agricultural and Food Policy, Q18.,

Collaborative supply chain initiatives as devices to cope with income variability in the Scottish red meat sector

The purpose of this paper is to discuss whether collaborative supply chain initiatives may help to provide income stability for farmers, focussing the analysis on the red meat supply chain in Scotland. Collaborative supply chains may contribute with two elements to attain higher income instability: first, greater demand stability and market access, and second, less variability in the price received for carcasses, as the produced output fits better the required specifications (i.e., no lost premia). The analysis of a survey applied to Scottish red meat producers showed that farmers that are part of a producers’ club do not differ from other farmers in their perception of marketing problems (e.g., price stability, etc.). However, in terms of their marketing aims, at least for beef producers, they seem to be more satisfied than farmers selling through auctions. An in-depth case study of a producers’ club in Scotland showed that farmers within the club are heterogeneous, not all of them taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the club in terms of improving the quality of their output and targeting better the required specifications, which creates potential to attain more stable incomeAgricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Security and Poverty, Livestock Production/Industries, Income instability, producers’ clubs, red meat sector, Scotland,

AN ANALYSIS OF MARKETING CHANNELS OF LOCAL FOOD IN SCOTLAND

Local food and its possibilities for addressing sustainable regional growth, food availability, accessibility and affordability has received considerable attention in the discussion on and development of the National Food Policy in Scotland. In terms of methodology, the paper continues the analysis of the local food database for Scotland constructed in Watts et al (2010) by exploring the marketing outlets used by the local food enterprises. This subject is important because it may provide information about the degree of entrepreneurship of the involved firms.Local food, Scotland, marketing outlets, Marketing,

A STRUCTURAL CHANGE ANALYSIS OF THE COST EFFICIENCY OF FARMS IN SCOTLAND 1989-2008

One of the aims of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to increase the competitiveness of farmers through increasing their exposure to markets. An aspect of competitiveness is the gains in economic efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to estimate indicators of farm efficiency for the period 1989 to 2008 by farm type and to analyse what the effect on efficiency of changes in the CAP has been. In terms of the methodology, the information used comes from the Scottish Farm Account Scheme (FAS) survey, which allows us to assemble panel dataset and to construct cost efficiency indicators. The results indicate while mixed farms and lowland farms have maintain their levels of efficiency. LFA farms have seen their efficiency reduced since approximately 2004 or 2005 (especially LFA sheep farm specialists). Also, the analysis shows that there seems to be an increase in the dispersion of farmers in terms of efficiency for some farm types in periods of change in agricultural policy.Farm efficiency, stochastic cost frontier, Scottish agriculture, Farm Management,

IMPROVING MARKET ORIENTATION IN THE SCOTTISH BEEF SUPPLY CHAIN THROUGH PERFORMANCE-RELATED COMMUNICATIONS: THE CASE OF THE MCINTOSH DONALD BEEF PRODUCER CLUB AND QBOXANALYSIS

The reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2003 and particularly the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) is intended to make farmers more market orientated and competitive. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to discuss whether performance-related communication strategies present the possibility of improving farmers’ market orientation. This is studied through the case of McIntosh Donald, a beef processor located in the North East of Scotland and a major red meat supplier for Tesco, and Qboxanalysis, a performance-related communication system, introduced by the processor to its beef Producer Club members in March 2005. Results indicate that the enhanced communication strategy has the potential to increase farmers’ performance and market orientation, not only through the use of the Qboxanalysis system but also through the Producers’ Club activities. However, additional efforts are required to engage producers that are less proactiveFood Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Marketing,

Modelling Regional Agricultural Output Adjustments in Scotland in Response to CAP Reform

The purpose of the paper is to present an agricultural supply model for Scotland used to estimate regional changes in agricultural outputs due to the 2003 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. Supply functions were estimated for several farm types based on generalised trans-logarithmic multiproduct cost functions (Caves, Christensen and Tretheway, 1981). The data used for the estimation were an unbalanced panel dataset constructed using farm level data from the Scottish Government’s Farm Accounts Scheme (FAS) survey. Using the estimated supply adjustments, individual farm level responses to subsidy and price changes were aggregated using agricultural census weights to estimate the output changes for different regionsAgribusiness, Farm Management, Regional models, CAP reform, agricultural production econometrics,

A structural change analysis of the cost efficiency of farms in Scotland 1989-2008

One of the aims of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is to increase the competitiveness of farmers through increasing their exposure to markets. An aspect of competitiveness is the gains in economic efficiency. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to estimate indicators of farm efficiency for the period 1989 to 2008 by farm type and to analyse what the effect on efficiency of changes in the CAP has been. In terms of the methodology, the information used comes from the Scottish Farm Account Scheme (FAS) survey, which allows us to assemble panel dataset and to construct cost efficiency indicators. The results indicate while mixed farms and lowland farms have maintain their levels of efficiency. LFA farms have seen their efficiency reduced since approximately 2004 or 2005 (especially LFA sheep farm specialists). Also, the analysis shows that there seems to be an increase in the dispersion of farmers in terms of efficiency for some farm types in periods of change in agricultural policy.Farm efficiency, stochastic cost frontier, Scottish agriculture, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Land Economics/Use,

Food production, distribution and culture: public views, interests and concerns

A basic right of both a consumer and a citizen is the right to be heard, and their voiced concerns have to be taken into account when developing policies and obtaining trust for government actions. Therefore this study focuses on consumers’ interests, opinions and expectations which are identified and categorised according to subject area, degree of involvement and political agenda of a consumer. The paper draws on the responses of individual members of the public in the National Food Policy discussion initiated by the Scottish Government in 2008. Altogether 246 responses were subjected to quantitative analysis of texts, supported by text mining. A variety of interests and opinions underpinning the political agendas of individuals responding to the National Food Policy discussion document were identified and discussed in the paper in the context of political consumerism and influence citizens-consumers are likely to have on policy development and its subsequent implementation. In the broad perspective of the Scottish food supply chain, the three pillars of sustainability: economy, environment and society, are defining the nature of public concerns and expectations. Findings could be applied across many different policy areas including food production and distribution, heath education and promotion, support of small local businesses, environment protection, travel, waste management/recycling and others.Food Policy, Scotland, Text analysis, Consumer research, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,

Zircon U-Pb dating of Mesozoic volcanic and tectonic events in northwest Palmer Land and southwest Graham Land, Antarctica

New whole rock Rb-Sr and zircon U-Pb geochronological data and Sm-Nd isotopic data are presented from the central magmatic arc domain of the Antarctic Peninsula in the area of northwest Palmer Land and southwest Graham Land, Rb-Sr isochrons indicate an age of 169±6 Ma for basement orthogneisses and 132±9 to 71±9 Ma for plutons. A U-Pb age of 183 ± 2.1 Ma, with no detectable inheritance, on zircons from an orthogneiss from Cape Berteaux provides the first reliable age for the orthogneisses, which are interpreted as metamorphosed silicic volcanic rocks, and Sm-Nd data indicate derivation in a mature volcanic arc. The age indicates they may be correlatives of the Jurassic ‘Chon Aike’ volcanism of the eastern Antarctic Peninsula. A U-Pb zircon age of 107 ± 1.7 Ma on a terrestrial volcanic sequence overlying an uncomformity strongly suggests a mid-Cretaceous age for the extensive volcanic cover of northwest Palmer Land that was previously thought to be Jurassic. The unconformity is interpreted to have been a result of compressional uplift related to the Palmer Land event. This is the first date for the event in the western part of the central magmatic arc terrane of the Antarctic Peninsula