How rural economies can adapt to key external drivers

Work Package Rural industries

Research Deliverable

Introduction

This research addresses how policy influences recent and anticipated adaptive responses of land based and other rural industries to drivers such as environmental change, market trends and volatility, technology and institutional innovation. This analysis complements that of RD2.4.1 Resilience of rural economies to key external drivers, but emphasises the importance improving our understanding of how policy facilitates or blocks processes of change. The research examines processes of innovation uptake, diversification and collaborative action and their role in agricultural household adjustment. In aggregate, the research characterises the changes for key segments of the agriculture sector (e.g. farms and crofts of different scale and tenure, commodities and supply chains, geographical regions).

Drivers of particular significance are the move of agricultural support away from historic towards regional payments between 2015 and 2019. This led to significant redistribution of support payments within the industry (and regions), with those farmers that were historically intensive being hardest hit. Between 2016 and 2020, the farming sector and its ancillary industries will also have been faced with: exchange-rate fluctuations; general and Scottish elections; land reform and agricultural holdings legislation reforms and the outcomes of Brexit or potentially the EU’s 2020 CAP reforms (including enforced changes to payments in the Less Favoured Areas).

The Rural Industries work package provides an opportunity to develop science capability but is also increasingly used to provide capacity for policy-led analysis conducted with RESAS analysts and SG officials. In addition to WP funds researchers also draw on Policy Advice with Supporting Analysis (JHI) and Policy Advice (SRUC) components of Underpinning funding, but the nature of much of this work is confidential and used to inform the Scottish Government’s policy deliberations, or to develop analytical approaches and databases for use by RESAS.

Aim of Research

The aim of this RD is to improve understanding of recent and anticipated adaptive responses to environmental change, policy drivers and market shifts. This will identify processes of innovation, diversification and collaborative action in agricultural household adjustment and assess future influences on the adaptive capacity of segments of the agriculture sector.

Progress

2021 / 2022

The RD has improved understanding of adaptive responses via primary data collection - the Farm Intentions Survey and Rural Business Survey, via the improved integration of administrative and payment data (such as IACS, Census, CTS, SCotEID, and APHA) with research derived data (e.g. climate, soils and derived metrics like drought, technical efiiciency metrics) and via enhanced modelling and analysis of enterprises, farms and sectors (e.g. assessment of technical and GHG performance in the cattle sector, farm level modelling of Brexit scenarios and GHG mitigation options ). Together these data and tools have been deployed in both diagnostic and simulation studies both research- and policy-led. All off the capability built within the RD continues to be relevant to questions within the evolving policy context and within the next SRP with several RD leads now taking lead PI roles.

Researchers utilised new data sources and created new models and analytical approaches that support policy developments. Researchers were continuously engaged with RESAS analysts and SG policy teams in the development of policy via a variety of channels, informal ad hoc advice, presenting work to SG staff, participating in stakeholder groups, and delivering Underpinning Capacity project via policy call downs and as bidders (often sole bidders) for Contract Research Fund projects. In addition to using the capability developed in the SRP to respond to requests the researchers were active in shaping how issues are framed and analysed through sharing the SRP research tools and outputs with colleagues to proactively demonstrate where new research based tools and data are salient. The credibility of MRP researchers has been enhanced over the course of the 2016-22 SRP such that several are now taking lead-PI roles for the next 2022-27 SRP where there is greater emphasis on policy relevant topics. MRP researchers are recognised as experts on agricultural policy matters and are supporting officials (including across the UK) through advice and analysis and the WP expanded to bring new insights to officials on the wider rural business base and on circular economy opportunities (key themes that have been expanded in the 2022-27 SRP).

Highlights

Spatial data development again saw improvement in the use of administrative data - for example in mapping land tenure for the first time. There was also greater emphasis on linking farm structure data with peatland extent and condition data to characterise the land management regimes (e.g. stocking rates for domestic livestock). These datasets underpinned the MRP ability to respond to policy led call-down requests both from ENFOR, APD, ARD stakeholders and ARIOB on alternative agriculture payment regimes.
Further options for administrative data integration e.g. with Registers Scotland will be pursued in the next SRP, building on work undertaken for the Scottish Land Commission.
Research briefings were developed, based on analyses of the Farmer Intentions Survey (2018). We explored: (i) farmer reluctance to adopt agri-environmental and forestry initiatives using the farmer intentions survey comparing past and future intended behaviour; (ii) the impact of different attitudes and intentions comparing the islands with the mainland, as well as the perceptions towards investment; (iii) Scottish farmers’ intentions to develop agritourism' providing insight into the types of characteristics of Scottish farmers that may be predictors of businesses willing to invest in and expand agritourism; (iv) Afforestation among Scottish farmers provided an insight into the characteristics of farmers who have afforested their land since they became the farm manager.
The ScotFarm model was used to analyse economic and production impacts of post-Brexit trade and policy changes and the impacts of different agri-ecological management practices aimed at minimising GHG emissions. The work included new techniques that aggregate the impacts of the scenarios to a national level.
A new database of relational datasets combining CTS / BES and Productive Day Efficiency metrics with GHG lookup tables was created and a new platform developed to visualize summary data - including a newly developed single metric that assesses technical performance of cattle herds in Scotland.
Follow up impact focus groups were held with women and men who originally participated in the Scottish Government-commissioned study 'Women in Farming and the Agriculture Sector'. The report was shared with the Women in Agriculture Policy Team and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands before it was published. The research illustrated the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on improving accessibility to knowledge exchange, networking, and organisations for women working on farms and in agricultural careers across Scotland.

2020 / 2021

Data integration and new analytical insights, alongside farm level modelling, remained a major focus of the work to provide evidence to Scottish Government officials as to the adaptive response to changing circumstances. Analysis of the 2018 farmer intention survey continues to provide insights on actual and anticipated farmer behaviours. Integrated datasets help provide enhanced analytical insights to a wide range of topics such as grouse moors, woodlands and carbon sequestration, peatland extent and condition, cattle performance metrics, relative CAP support distributions within Scottish agriculture. Analytical evidence and policy support was provided to the Scottish Government and the Farmer Led Groups on Climate Change. Our scientists were members of the Suckler Beef Climate Group Programme Board and the Hill, Upland and Crofting Group, as well as the independent Farming for 1.5 Degree Inquiry.

Highlights

Analytical support was provided for the Suckler Beef Climate Group through an assessment of Structure and Support of the Scottish Beef Sector 2019 – impact of CAP 2015 reforms. Working with scientists from Theme 1 and independent consultancy a concept paper on how embedding greater environmental conditionality within the existing Direct CAP support framework was prepared. Working with external consultants funded through the SRP, WP scientists also modelled the climate mitigation potential of a number of suckler beef management options through AgReCalc, how management changes may impact on the greenhouse gas Smart Inventory for agriculture, and also what potential impacts on cattle numbers may be expected from adopting mitigation measures.
Focus groups were held on Women in Farming and the Agricultural Sector following up with participants in the 2017 study. Improved awareness of gender issues was noted and that new training initiatives to support women in agriculture had been met positively.
The Woodland Expansion project mapped net carbon storage for new woodlands in Scotland. The open access journal paper was supplemented by online mapping tools with favourable comment from stakeholders.
Data on land use and ownership (Theme 2) were combined with new data on peatlands extent (Theme 1) giving Scottish Government new insights on the exposure of land-based businesses to peatlands.
Geospatial data also underpinned delivery of updated and improved GIS mapping of muirburn intensity and grouse butt density and gave new insights into the extent of land used for driven grouse.
Further Farmer Intentions research notes were produced based on analyses of the 2018 Farmer Intentions Survey and the 2013 CAP Intentions Survey.
- Data from both surveys was used to analyse how well actual (self-reported) farm management behaviour matched previously expressed intentions, for different farm activities. The research notes evidence regarding unexpected changes suggest that farmers can underestimate their potential to adapt.
- Comparison between commercial female and male farmers highlighted that female farmers were more likely to collaborate, to have not inherited their business, to have higher education qualifications and often to have different income generation strategies.
- Analysis of social media and internet access in Scottish farming notes that poor internet connectivity remains a significant barrier to both diversification activities and farm management by new entrant farmers. Social media and the internet were found to be of little help as information sources by established farmers, but to be of more helpful to new entrant farmers.
- The research on Scottish farmers’ attitude to perceived risk, found that around 20% of farmers were risk takers, with the remainder being classed as more cautious or risk averse and risk takers were more likely to emerge from very large farms, and risk averse farmers from very small farms.
New WP methodologies provided insights on the technical efficiency of the Scottish cattle herd (with EPIC) where the analytical framework was proved to run over multiple years of data, providing a summary database by business, over time. Using RPID payments data with June Agricultural Census data a new analytical framework was developed to assess the relative levels of support to different farming sectors and between different enterprises.
The ScotFarm model was used to assess post-Brexit agri-environment related measures for NatureScot. A simplified optimising economic tool for Scottish dairy farms was developed to provide a user-friendly interface for quick economic assessment of farms under management changes influenced by policy reforms. Work on the economic impacts of liver fluke on Scottish dairy and beef farms under a climate change scenario suggested that livestock farms could experience up to 6-times higher economic losses due to the disease under the future climate change scenarios.
New processes and procedures were developed with RESAS and RPID to ensure GDPR compliance allowing for wider use of geospatial data across the SRP and Centres of Expertise. Existing datasets were exploited for policy/stakeholder led projects.

2019 / 2020

The programme of research continues to provide analytical support and expert advice on agricultural and land use policy developments, brought into greater focus by Brexit and impending no deal exits. Work on topics such as Areas facing Natural Constraints, Brexit impacts and scenarios and insights into farmer behaviours continued to support the Scottish Government and the wider industry. The data and tools developed continue to underpin our capacity to provide policy-led analysis for Scottish Government policy teams and other clients.

The integration of land-use and agricultural datasets continue to provide novel and enhanced analytical insights to better understand the farm – policy interface policy. Analysis that supported Scottish Government officials was on varied topics including Areas facing Natural Constraint delimitation, beef system classification and beef finishing times and assessment of driven grouse moors (through commissioned research). Our farm level modelling has evolved to take into consideration management and biophysical constraints to better represent farmer decision making in predicting impacts of policy outcomes. Support to policy, industry and stakeholders on Brexit, and laterally COVID19 were provided. A number of briefings from the Farmer Intentions Survey (completed in Year 4) were published: i) farm diversification, ii) new entrants to farming, iii) responses towards risk management tools, iv) Brexit planning and v) public goods.

Highlights

Support for Scottish Government policy deliberations through bespoke analysis in response to requests on a range of topics including (a) Capping of Pillar I support payments; (b) Areas facing Natural Constraint; (c) Sectoral impacts of no-deal Brexit; (d) Impacts of Brexit on the Scottish seed potato sector.
Expertise on Scottish agriculture, agricultural policy, Brexit and climate change was called upon to provide evidence to the (a) Lord Bew’s independent intra-UK allocations review; (b) the Just Transition Commission; (c) the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of the Scottish Parliament on Brexit and the Agriculture (Retained EU Law and Data) (Scotland) Bill, and; (d) the Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group.
WP staff are standing members of the (a) the Women in Agriculture Task Force (b) Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholder Group, (c) the independent Farming for 1.5^o panel
Engagement with industry and stakeholders on Brexit and the changing policy environment. This included support for the Highlands and Islands Agricultural Support Group, presentations to Monitor Farms and policy support to the Farm Advisory Service on Brexit issues.
Support for Scottish Government officials in response to the Covid pandemic, including on farming calendar, fruit and vegetable sector costings.
Provided unique insights to the Scottish beef sector using Cattle Tracing System data, including a classification system of types of production alongside a focus on business size and age of animals at slaughter.
ScotFarm model was used to assess post-Brexit policy scenarios in a SNH funded project ‘Preparing the evidence base for post-Brexit agriculture in Scotland’. The study used which looked at 10 different alternative payment scenarios and predicted impacts on dairy, beef, sheep, arable as well as crofts farming systems.
Analysis highlighted the the reluctance of farmers to adopt current risk management tools and the need for further development of these tools were highlighted.
Analysis confirmed that new entrants represent important sources of innovation and global engagement for Scottish agriculture but current sources of advice and financial support are more accessible to farm successors than newcomers to the industry.
Analysis of current and intended diversification plans demonstrated that despite constraints of low connectivity speeds Scottish farmers intend to increase their diversification activities, with those already diversified most likely to diversify activities further.
Brexit was found to be an obvious farmer concern, and a high level of stasis towards investment was found due to the policy uncertainty around this topic and policy support with the data suggesting a general lack of Brexit preparations.
Farmers’ willingness to deliver more ‘public goods for public money’ were been explored, including intentions to deliver agro-forestry and woodland. These show various levels of uptake and policy prescriptions around support regimes were recommended.
New insights to Scottish sheep processing were provided through commissioned research examining opportunities and risks under Brexit.

2018 / 2019

Science-Policy Engagement

Researchers were engaged in a great deal of science-policy engagement throughout the year providing information, advice and analysis on a wide range of policy-relevant topics with RESAS analysts, Scottish Government policy officials and industry stakeholders Policy support exploits the mix of capabilities developed across the Rural Industries work package so the policy interaction highlighted are not exclusive to individual RDs. The RD team continue to undertake a wider range of policy-led analysis and knowledge exchange both within the WP. There was a considerable draw on RD staff time in delivering the Socio-Economic and Biodiversity Impacts of Grouse Moors work for the Scottish Government – providing novel analysis of the extent of Scottish grouse moors and their socio-economic contributions. In addition there was considerable draw on RD staff time in the delivery of specialist Brexit advice and support for the Scottish Government and several outputs highlight the potential impacts of potential Brexit outcomes (policy support) and a considerable amount of Brexit awareness raising activity was undertaken with industry, stakeholders and politicians (supply-chains). Work on seasonal migrant labour in agriculture continued, including a film launch in 2018 and SPICe briefings on the subject. The WP provided analysis and analytical support to the Scottish Government on several important policy topics including LFASS and ANCs and continue to offer advice on future agricultural and environmental policy development for the Scottish Government

The 2018 Farmer Intentions Survey was completed, following up on a similar survey in 2013. This was a major primary data gathering exercise co-designed with Scottish Government officials to ensure it yielded data that helps addresses policy needs. About 2,500 farmers, crofters and smallholders engaged in the telephone survey providing information on a wide range of topics, including business performance, decision making, motivations, Brexit, future business plans, global engagement, diversification, seasonal lets, new-entrants, etc. In addition to being a primary data source that can be used to inform policy making directly the 2018 FIS data, will also help us to better understand how reactive business cohorts are to a range of policy and market signals. The quantitative survey data analysis is being complemented qualitative analysis that provides more detailed insights into important topics such as smallholders, diversification, gender and new entrants.

The ScotFarm farm level model continues to be evolved to better represent real life decision making of farmers and to provide more nuanced analysis of sustainable land management practices (including assessment of GHG emissions). The model was linked to the latest FAPRI macro-economic predictions to assess how farms in Scotland may adopt to different trade and direct support scenarios and also to model farmer responses to disease scenarios (e.g. Johne's). Geospatial Data was exploited in several projects, including combing it with O.S. MasterMap data to identify and characterise driven grouse moors. 2017 LFASS payments datasets were integrated to assess the implications of payment reductions and options for Areas of Natural Constraint were reconsidered, both informed advice to Ministers. Working with the Centre of Expertise for Animal Disease (EPIC) cattle movement data supplied by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has been used to classify Scotland’s beef farms into more nuanced production system (following those used by QMS) and analysis of technical data and networks based on farm characteristics has been completed.

Highlights:

An extensive telephone survey of 2,500 farmers, crofters and smallholders was conducted on a range of topics of interest to the Scottish Government. The 2018 Farmers’ Intentions Survey questionnaire was co-designed with RESAS analysts in conjunction with policy leads. The first tranche of analysis is ongoing with the initial focus being on New Entrants and Brexit.
A range of confidential work was completed for the Scottish Government on issues relating to Common Agricultural Policy support payments relating to Areas facing Natural Constraint (ANC), Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme (LFASS) and capping of payments.
Initial analysis of new entrant data from the Farmers Intention Survey found that New Entrants: are a range of ages – more half are over 40; are more likely to be women are better educated, more globally engaged, and more likely to see Brexit as an opportunity; run smaller farms and are less likely to be profitable; are planning for on-farm change within 5 years.
Continued analysis of the 2013 Farmer Intentions survey demonstrated that at least 13% of Scotland’s agricultural land is likely to be in non-commercial use, as self-identified by the land managers. Non-commercial farms were reported across the range of scales, reflecting a number of intersecting issues – semi-retirement of older farmers, part-time recreational farming of newcomers, and off-farm employment. Non-commercial farmers are more likely than commercial farmers to be women.
A short film raising awareness of seasonal migrant workers and the issues faced by the horticulture sector was launched at the 2018 Royal Highland Show and SPICe Briefing and SPICe Blog on the subject were published highlighting issues of concern around the (then) newly announced Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme.
Novel GIS analysis to demonstrate the extent of Scotland’s grouse moors, alongside an assessment of the evidence relating to the socio-economic impacts of grouse moor activities.
The ScotFarm model was used to assess farm level impacts of Brexit across the UK administrations in an ESRC funded project “Brexit: How might UK Agriculture Thrive or Survive?”
The Highlands and Islands Agricultural Steering Group funded report on Post Brexit Implications for Agriculture and Associated Land Use in the Highlands and Islands was launched by the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy (Fergus Ewing) to a wide range of stakeholders at an event in Edinburgh. The work extensively drew on RD2.4.2 knowledge and analysis.
Using our new classification of beef production systems our analysis has revealed the types of business connections (directly or through markets) within Scotland’s stratified beef herd – with heavy reliance on a small group of very large beef finishers. Metrics on calving intervals, distance travelled, days to slaughter, use of markets, etc. by breed and system have been analysed.
Support and evidence relating to Brexit was provided to a wide array of public and private stakeholders beyond the Scottish Government, including: Peers, MPs, MSPs, local authorities, Defra, NCRA, farmers, banks, consultants, wider public (through radio and TV interviews).

2017 / 2018

Researchers were engaged in a great deal of science-policy engagement throughout the year providing information, advice and analysis on a wide range of policy-relevant topics to RESAS analysts, Scottish Government policy officials and industry stakeholders (the example interactions reported here are interchangeable with RD2.4). RD researchers engaged with a wide variety of stakeholder, industry and policy interests regarding Brexit and the potential impacts on Scottish agriculture and rural regions - thereby highlighting some of the risks associated with Brexit and agriculture and generating greater appreciation of the complexities of the challenges ahead. Early in the year the focus was on completing the analysis of the outcomes of the 2015 CAP reforms. These analyses were discussed with SG agriculture policy teams, RPID officials, members of the Strategy and Post EU Referendum Hub and was used in a briefing to Ministers. Later in the year most effort was devoted to supporting the deliberation of the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Champions (including directly supporting the Public Value Champion's group), drawing both on the analyses undertaken from Scottish Government but also responding to a series of questions they raised, for example on capping of payments or the role of Pillar 2.

The Scottish Government’s FUTURES geospatial data for 2015 and 2016 was further refined and a variety of data quality issues solved or mitigated. This enabled the completion of a variety of policy supporting analyses to be completed - with the core datasets being the comparison of current CAP Pillar 1 payments regimes with pre- 2015. Significant effort was also put into collecting and collating a Pillar 2 (SRDP) payments dataset (including annual recurrent, standard capital and actual capital). This dataset was integrated with the Pilar 1 and business characterisation datasets to provide a more comprehensive analysis of CAP spend for the 2007-14 period. Working with (EPIC) cattle movement data supplied by APHA were linked with the June Agricultural Census to develop a nuanced classification system of farms and holdings (by type of rearing and finishing of animals), farmer interaction networks based on their livestock sales / purchases and performance characteristics of the beef sector by farm typologies (age, scale, region, full time labour, etc.). These joined data provide new data analysis opportunities and insights into beef production systems. Semi-structured interviews of large scale (over 200 ha) and small scale (under 10 ha) landowners were conducted to understand farm business diversification pathways and vulnerabilities to changes, in light of Brexit. 48 landowners were interviewed in two regions identified as hotspot of diversification: Angus and Skye and Lochalsh. Both types of farm businesses are largely not dependent on support payments. The ‘small scale’ interviewees reported that they are too small to either be eligible for support or to justify the high transaction costs to get the particularly low support. The large scale businesses are also less reliant on support due to their economies of scale, as well as and the commercial approach to their production and diversification activities. The ScotFarm model is in a process of constant evolution to make it more nuanced with more "real life" behavioural aspects being built into the model to account for farmer not all being ‘profit maximisers’ and that they adopt new technologies at different rates (crop modelling has been enhanced, with behavioural aspects regarding crop rotations and livestock technologies being built into the model).

Highlights:

The WP contributed to a briefing to Ministers on changes to LFASS and the publication of the Greening Review which had been delayed by a series of periods of purdah required by elections and referenda.
Continued analysis of the 2013 Farmer Intentions survey improved understanding of on-farm diversification. Levels of diversification were found to be high in the rural areas north of central Scotland: Argyll, Stirling, Perth and Kinross, Fife, and Angus whilst Lanarkshire and Aberdeenshire have a high concentration of on-farm renewable energy schemes. The analysis showed that different types of renewable energy technology tend to cluster together with onshore wind schemes frequently found in central and eastern Scotland, hydro developments concentrated in mountainous regions and near the west coast, and solar projects developed in the sunnier east (e.g. Fife, Angus). Evidence suggests that farm diversification into agri-tourism has taken place in accessible scenic regions and in areas close to population centres and across the west coast and Inner Hebrides, a very high proportion of farmers planned to invest in agri-tourism.
Interviews with landowners in diversification hotspots revealed many had plans to mitigate for the possible decline or removal of support post-Brexit, include changing commodity type, and develop collaborative initiatives with neighbouring large-scale land-based businesses.
Support was provided to RESAS in the establishment of a new methodology for defining rural local authorities.
The ScotFarm model was used to assess potential farm level impacts resulting from Brexit. As part of this analysis ScotFarm used the trade scenarios developed through the FAPRI-UK project for the UK administrations to test farm level impacts with and without direct support. The modelling results revealed how vulnerable the beef and sheep sectors are to future trade scenarios, but more importantly the future levels of agricultural support.
Provision of evidence and support for the Scottish Government’s Agricultural Champions in their deliberations on future agricultural support needs in Scotland.
The Implications of Brexit for Rural Scotland seminar hosted by SRUC highlighting the challenges for Scottish agriculture that Brexit brings. A wide range of industry, policy and political stakeholders in attendance.

2016 / 2017

Researchers were engaged in a great deal of science-policy engagement throughout the year providing information, advice and analysis on a wide range of policy-relevant topics to RESAS analysts, Scottish Government policy officials and industry stakeholders (the example interactions reported here are interchangeable with RD2.4). Researchers were regular contributors to a wide range of policy meetings such as the Agriculture and Rural Development stakeholder meetings, the Cabinet Secretary’s Hill Farming Summit, etc. Researchers also presented and provided oral and written evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee and were involved in a wide variety of special reports to Scottish Government analysts and policy leads on Common Agricultural Policy related matters. Following the EU referendum, Less Favoiured Area Support Scheme (LFASS) ‘parachute’ payments (an across the board reduction in rates of payment) were assessed. ANC, LFASS parachute and Pillar 1 analyses informed deliberations between Scottish Government officials and were used to brief the Cabinet Secretary who ultimately decided in favour of continuing LFASS payments into 2018.

The new FUTURES IT system as source of geospatial farm business data provides an opportunity to revise and rationalise how data on land use, tenure, and management and CAP payments are organised. The new datasets created have underpinned the policy options appraisals undertaken this year. Other datasets used in the work package also continue to be updated and developed. Access to cattle movements data was agreed with APHA through EPIC with the aim to link to the June Agricultural Census to provide greater data insights than stand-alone databases. ScotFarm, a farm level model that was conceived in the previous Strategic Research Programme, was enhanced through improved crop and grassland modules and the beef model was improved by accounting for different beef production systems (rearers, and finishers).

A major review of key Scottish agricultural sectors, including the sectoral opportunities and challenges was undertaken with industry insights provided by specialist SAC Consultants. Continued analysis of the 2013 Farmer Intentions Survey led to the publication of information notes were completed addressing Female-led Farms, Non-commercial Farms and Hotspots of Diversification. The Diversification note informed the selection of two hotspots (Angus and Lochalsh) for qualitative research into innovation and business trajectories, being undertaken in 2017.

Highlights:

A number of bespoke policy analyses were conducted for Scottish Government officials on Pillar I Common Agricultural Policy payments, LFASS and ANC payments. The analysis was used to brief the Cabinet Secretary.
The Female-led Farms information note was cited in the Women in Farming and the Agriculture Sector research project report (commissioned by RESAS in 2016, report launched at the Royal Highland Show 2017).
Within the 2016 Edition of Rural Scotland in Focus RD2.4.2 researchers published a review of Scottish Agriculture in the Changing Land Management chapter. This work was presented at the report launch, to the Agriculture and Rural Development Stakeholders Group and to Scottish Government officials.
Core work on developing farm modelling and use of allied policy models were developed for a book edited by members of 2.4: Farm Level Modelling: Techniques, Applications and Policy. This contained a number of chapters focused on application to Scottish modelling contexts, including farm level modelling, agent based modelling and supply chain models.
Analysis of the Farmer Intentions survey (2013) on female-led farms identified important distinctions from male-led farms. In particular, the farms were men are identified as the primary decision maker are larger than the farms which have women as the primary decision-maker. This is in part because women are less likely to have inherited the farm they run. Female farmers reported being less dependent on farming for income, and were less likely to receive support payments or to have employees. Female decision makers tend to be more educated, and are more likely to work part-time on the farm. Women are less likely to run their farms for profit.
RD researchers produced a revised and enhanced Agricultural Parish map for Scotland.

Future Activities

Much of the capability in this RD underpins commissioned research to provide Resas Economic Advice for future Rural Support and is also embedded in follow-up projects in the 2022-27 SRP. The research informs and evolves into JHI and SRUC projects relating to Topics: C3 Land Use; B3 Best Practice; E3 Land Reform and; E1 Rural Industries.

Selected Outputs

Barnes, A.P., McMillan, J., Thomson, S. Spencer, M. Hopkings, J., Sutherland, L-A. and Matthews, K. (2019) Farmer Responses to Brexit: Adoption of Risk Management Behaviours – Briefing Note 1
McMillan, J., Barnes, A.P., Thomson, S. Spencer, M. Hopkings, J., Sutherland, L-A. and Matthews, K. (2020) Farmer Responses to Brexit: Intentions to deliver more “public goods for public money” – Briefing Note 2
Bevan, K., Moxey, A., Reveredo-Giha, C. and Thomson, S.(2019) An Assessment of the Opportunities to Retain and Increase Sheep and Lamb Processing in Scotland. A Commissioned report to the Scottish Government drawing on WP expertise.
Flanigan, S. (2019) Am I an agritourist? SEGS, James Hutton Institute Blog, 4 July 2019.
Hewitt, R.J., Bradley, N., Baggio, C.A., Barlagne ,C. Ceglarz,A., Cremade, R., McKeen, M., Otto,I.M., Slee, B. Bill( 2019) Social Innovation in Community Energy in Europe: A Review of the Evidence Frontiers in Energy Research, 7
Hopkins, J., Barlagne, C., Sutherland, L-A., Matthews, K., Barnes, A. & Toma, L. (2019) Hotspots of farm business diversification in Scotland. James Hutton Institute Report, 10pp.
Hopkins, J., Sutherland, L-A., Calo, A., Barlagne, C., Wardell-Johnson, D., Barnes, A., Thomson, S., McMillan, J. & Spencer, M. New entrants: their potential contribution to farming in Scotland by 2023. Farmer Intentions Survey Briefing Note, March 2020, 8pp
Matthews, K.B., Waylen, K.A., Blackstock, K.L., Juarez-Bourke, A., Miller, D., Wardell-Johnson, D., Rivington, M. & Giampietro, M. (2019) Science for sustainability: Using societal metabolism analysis to check the robustness of European Union policy narratives in the water, energy and food nexus. 23rd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2019), Canberra, Australia, 1-6 December 2019. Book of Abstracts, p398.
McMillan, J., Barnes, A.P., Thomson, S. Spencer, M. Hopkings, J., Sutherland, L-A. and Matthews, K. (2020) Farmer Intentions Survey: Regional Dimensions to Change – Briefing Note 3
Shortall, S., McKee, A. and Sutherland, L.‐A. (2019), Why do farm accidents persist? Normalising danger on the farm within the farm family. Sociol Health Illn, 41: 470-483.
Spencer, M., Thomson, S. & Reeves. A. (2020). Beef efficiency - finishing systems. Zenodo.
Pohle, I., Helliwell, R., Aube, C., Gibbs, S., Spencer, M. & Spezia, L. (2019) Citizen science evidence from the past century shows that Scottish rivers are warming. Science of the Total Environment. 659, p. 53 - 65 13 p.
Sutherland, L-A. (2019) Gentrification by horse - assessing the embodiment of horses in rural gentrification processes. XXVIII European Society for Rural Sociology Congress (ESRS 2019), Rural Futures in A Complex World, Trondheim, Norway, 25-28 June 2019.
Thomson, S (2019) Sheep processing, consumption and markets. Farm North East. Issue No.96 December 2019
Thomson, S (2019) The Brexit clock is ticking – are you ignoring the alarm? SAC Consulting's "The Adviser" Sept 2019
Thomson, S (2019) They’ve only gone and done it! Lord Bew and Boris Johnson – 2 unlikely bedfellows for Scottish agriculture. Farm North East. Issue No.95 - October 2019.
Thomson, S (2020) What's the Beef? Farm North East. Issue No.98 - April 2020 Available at https://www.ruralbrexit.scot/future-policy/the-brexit-clock-is-ticking-are-you-ignoring-the-alarm/
Thomson, S. (2019) Business Links with Farming in the North-East. Farming Connections – why worry? Farm North East Issue No.94 August 2019 Available at https://www.ruralbrexit.scot/future-policy/business-links-with-farming-in-the-north-east-farming-connections-why-worry/
Thomson, S (2019) Future farm support – what are the priorities? Farm North East Issue No. 93 May/June 2019
Thomson, S. and Mc Morran, R. (2019) Seasonal Migrant Workers in Scottish Agriculture: an update
Thomson, S. and Moxey, A (2020 The Highlands & Islands Agricultural Support Group (HIASG) Position on post-Brexit land management policy
Thomson, S., Glass, J. & McMorran, R. (2020) Does size really matter? Sustainable development outcomes from different scales of land ownership. in M Combe, J Glass & A Tindley (eds), Land Reform in Scotland: History, Law and Policy - Scotland's Land. Scotland's Land, Edinburgh University Press.
Thomson, S., Mc Morran, R. and Certucha, E.P. (2019) The Future Demand for Smallholdings in Scotland – an assessment
Brooker, R., Thomson, S., Matthews, K.B., Hester, A., S., Pakeman, R., Miller, D., Mell, V., Aalders, I., McMorran R., and Glass, J. (2019). Socio-economic and Biodiversity Impact of Driven Grouse Moors in Scotland with RD contributions to Part 1 Socio Economics and Part 3 GIS Analysis. Funded through underpinning policy support for Scottish Government RESAS
Hubbard, C., Davis, J., Feng, S., Harvey, D., Liddon, A., Moxey, A., Ojo, M., Patton, M., Philippidis, G., Scott, C., Shrestha, S. and Wallace, M. (2019) Brexit: How might UK Agriculture Thrive or Survive? Final report. ESRC funded project.
Sutherland, L-A. In press. Finding Hobby Farmers: A ‘Parish Study’ Methodology for Qualitative Research. Accepted to Sociologia Ruralis.
Sutherland, L-A. In press. Agriculture and inequalities: Gentrification in a Scottish parish. Journal of Rural Studies 68: 240-250.
Sutherland, L-A., Barlagne, C., Barnes, A.J. In press. Beyond ‘Hobby Farming’: towards a typology of non-commercial farming. Agriculture and Human Values
Thomson S. (2019) Oral evidence to the House of Commons’ Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into The future of Scottish agriculture post Brexit 28 January 2019
Thomson, S (2019) Brexit consequences for rural areas in the Dumfries and Galloway ITV’s Representing Border (February 2019)
Thomson, S (2019) Deal, No Deal, Remain – what’s best for food and farming? First Published in Farm North East No.91 January 2019
Thomson, S (2019) Future Farm Support – What are the priorities? First Published in Farm North East No.93 May/June 2019
Thomson, S (2019) Keeping the Cost of food and drink in check will be the UK Government’s number one priority as a no deal Brexit kicks in. First Published in Farm North East No.92 April 2019
Barlagne, C., Sutherland, L-A. (2018) Non-commercial farming in Scotland.
Barratt, A.S., Arnoult, M.H., Vosough Ahmadi, B., Rich, K.M., Gunn, G.J., and Stott, A.W. (2018) A framework for estimating society's economic welfare following the introduction of an animal disease: The case of Johne's disease. PLoS ONE 13(6): e0198436.
Gülzari, S.O., Vosough Ahmadi, B. and Stott, A.W. (2018) Impact of subclinical mastitis on greenhouse gas emissions intensity and profitability of dairy cows in Norway .Preventive Veterinary Medicine Vol 150.
Hubbard, C., Davis, J., Feng, S., Harvey, D., Liddon, A., Moxey, A., Ojo, M., Patton, M., Philippidis, G., Scott, C., Shrestha, S. & Wallace, M., 23 Aug 2018, Brexit: How will UK agriculture fare? EuroChoices. 17, 2, p. 19 - 26 8 p.
Matthews, K.B.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Miller, D.G.; Baggaley, N.; Lilly, A.; Matthews, R.B.; Fitton, N.; Jones, E.; Smith, J.; Smith, P.; Perks, M.; Bathgate, S.; Taylor, P.; Randle, T.; Ray, D. (2018) Analysis of the potential change in carbon stocks from new forestry planting in Scotland. CxC website.
Shrestha, S. Vosough Ahmadi, B., Barratt, A.S., Thomson, S.G. and Stott, A.W. (2018) Financial vulnerability of dairy farms challenged by Johne's disease to changes in farm payment support. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. Vol 5.
Shrethsa, S., Thomson, S., Vosough Ahmadi, B., Barnes, A.P. (2018) Assessing the impacts of alternative post-Brexit trade and agricultural support policy scenarios on Scottish farming systems.
Sutherland, L-A., Huttunen, S. 2018. Linking Practices of Multifunctional Forestry to Policy Objectives: Case studies in Finland and the UK. Forest Policy and Economics 86, 35-44.
Thomson, S. (2018) Future agricultural policy options for Britain and Ireland. SRUC/Teagasc ‘Rural Futures’ workshop, Edinburgh
Thomson, S. (2018) (Post) Brexit Impacts on UK Sheep Sector. ITexel Conference in Penrith (October 2018)
Thomson, S. (2018) Brexit and Scottish agriculture: – some political considerations. Various SRUC, QMS and AHDB Brexit roadshows.
Thomson, S. (2018) Next steps for farming productivity - agri-tech, investment and knowledge transfer. Westminster Food and Nutrition Forum (March 2018)
Thomson, S. and Moxey, A., (2018) Post Brexit Implications for Agriculture and Associated Land Use in the Highlands and Islands. Funded by Highlands and Islands Agricultural Support Group drawing on RD expertise and analysis.
Thomson, S. McMorran, R., Atterton, J. (2018) Farm Workers in Scottish Agriculture: Case Studies in the International Seasonal Migrant Labour Market. Scottish Government commissioned research drawing on RD staff
Hopkins, J., Barlagne, C., Sutherland, L-A, Matthews, K., Barnes, A., Toma, L. (2017) Hotspots of farm business diversification in Scotland.
Hopkins, J., Sutherland, L-A., Ehlers, M.-H., Matthews, K., Barnes, A., Toma, L., (2017) Scottish farmers' intentions to afforest land in the context of farm diversification. Forest Policy and Economics 78, 122-132.
Mathews, K.B., Miller D.G., and Wardell-Johnson, D. (2017) 2015 CAP Pillar I Reforms – Analysis of the Outputs. Presentation to the Agriculture and rural Development Stakeholders Group.
Matthews, K.B. (2017) Transformative science - Changing the world or changing ourselves? European Society for Ecological Economics, Budapest, Hungary, 21-23 June 2017. p30.
Matthews, K.B., Blackstock, K.L., Rivington, M., Waylen, K.A., Miller, D.G., Wardell-Johnson, D., Kovacic, Z., Renner, A., Ripa, M. & Giampietro, M. (2017) Delivering more than the "Sum of the Parts": using quantitative storytelling to address the challenges of conducting science for policy in the EU land, water and energy nexus. 22nd International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2017), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 3-8 December 2017, 7pp.
Sutherland, L-A., Hopkins, J., Toma, L., Barnes, A., Matthews, K. (2017) Adaptation, Resilience and CAP reform: A comparison of crofts and livestock farms in Scotland. The Scottish Geographical Journal. Doi: 10.1080/14702541.2017.1353703
Thomson, S. (2017) Brexit and Scottish Agriculture. SRUC Brexit Seminar, Macdonald Holyrood Hotel. May, 2017
Thomson, S. (2017) Oral evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of The Scottish Parliament on Implications of the outcome of the EU Referendum for Scotland - Agriculture and Forestry:
Thomson, S. (2017) The Price of Brexit for Rural Scotland will be costly. Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, The National
Vosough Ahmadi, B., Nath, M., Hyslop, J., Morgan, C., & Stott, A. (2017). Trade-offs between indicators of performance and sustainability in breeding suckler beef herds. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 155(1), 156-170.
Glenk, K., Shrestha, S., Topp, C.F.E., Sánchez, B. Iglesias, A., Dibari, C., and Merante, P. (2016) A farm level approach to explore farm gross margin effects of soil organic carbon management. Agricultural Systems, Vol 151
Kragt, M.E., Pannell,,D.J., McVittie, A., Stott, A.W., Vosough Ahmadi, B. and Wilson, P. (2016) Improving interdisciplinary collaboration in bio-economic modelling for agricultural systems. Agricultural Systems Vol 143.
Shrestha, S. (ed.), Vosough Ahmadi, B. (ed.) & Barnes, AP. (ed.), (2016), : Farm Level Modelling: Techniques, Applications and Policy. CABI PublishingSkerratt, S., Atterton, J., McCracken, D., McMorran, R. and Thomson, S (2016) Rural Scotland in Focus 2016 Launch Event Video
Sutherland, L-A., Hopkins, J., Holstead, K., Toma, L., Barnes, A., Mathews, K. (2016). Female-led farms in Scotland.
Sutherland, L-A., Toma, L., Barnes, A., Matthews, K., Hopkins, J. (2016) Agri-environmental diversification: Examining the relationship between environmental, forestry and renewable energy engagement on Scottish farms. Journal of Rural Studies 47, 10-20.
Thomson, S. (2016) Uncertainty for farmers over Brexit – Rural Scotland in Focus Launch video
Thomson, S. Barnes, A., Bell, J., Hill, G., Logan, R. and Keiley, D. (2016) Scottish Agriculture: Changing Land Management. In Skerratt, S., Atterton, J., McCracken, D., McMorran, R. and Thomson, S. (2016), Rural Scotland in Focus.
Bell, J., Beaton, C.B., McDowell, M.M., Hill, G.J., Stout, D.S., Sellars, A.S., Thomson, S., Spencer, M. and Moxey, A.P. (2020) Suckler Beef Climate Change Group Farm Carbon Case Studies
Blackstock, K.L.; Calo, A.; Currie, M.; Dinnie, L.; Eastwood, A.; MacLeod, K.; Matthews, K.B.; McKee, A.; Miller, D.R.; Nijnik, M.; Sutherland, L.A.; Waylen, K.A. (2020) Issues arising from SLC’s Interim Report on Regional Land Use Partnerships - Evidence from the Scottish Government Strategic Research Programme 2016-2021. Scottish Land Commission, Advice to Scottish Government on Regional Land Use Partnership, Appendix 3, 33pp.
Burton, R.; Forney, J.; Stock, P.; Sutherland, L-A. (2020) The good farmer. Culture and identity in food and agriculture. Routledge, London, 196pp.
Gandossi, G.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Matthews, K.B.; Miller, D.G.; Perks, M.; Smith, P. (2020) Mapping net change in carbon from afforestation in Scotland.
Hopkins, J.; Thomson, S.; Miller, D.G.; Sutherland, L-A.; Barlagne, C.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Barnes, A.; McMillan, J. (2021) How often does intended farm management behaviour match ‘actual’ behaviour? Insights for thirteen farm activities (2013-18). Farmer Intentions Survey Briefing Note, March 2021, 8pp.
Lamie, R.D.; Chase, L.; Chiodo, E.; Dickes, L. Flanigan, S.; Schmidt, C.; Streifeneder, T. (2020) Agritourism around the globe: Definitions, authenticity, and potential controversy. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 10.
Lampkin, N., Shrestha, S., Sellars, A., Baldock, D., Smith, J., Mullender, S., Keenleyside, C., Pearce, B. & Watson, C. (2021) Preparing the Evidence Base for Post-Brexit agriculture in Scotland – case studies on alternative payments. NatureScot Research Report No. 1201.
Matthews, K.B.; Fielding, D.; Miller, D.G.; Gandossi, G.; Newey, S. (2020) Socio-economic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors in Scotland, Phase 2, Part 3: Provide a more up to date assessment of the area of grouse moors in Scotland under management for driven grouse, mapping clearly the areas of moorland that are actively managed for grouse and the intensity of current management regimes. Contract Report for Scottish Government (CR/2019/01), SEFARI Website for Scottish Government.
Matthews, K.B.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Miller, D.G.; Fitton, N.; Jones, E.; Bathgate, S.; Randle, T.; Matthews, R.B.; Smith, P.; Perks, M. (2020) Not seeing the carbon for the trees? Why area-based targets for establishing new woodlands can limit or underplay their climate change mitigation benefits. Land Use Policy, 97, Article No. 104690.
McKee, A. (2021) The experience of land reform in Scotland: our lessons for a global audience. Keynote Presentation for the Rural Housing Summit, organised by Rural Housing Scotland, 21-27. (Online)
McKee, A.; Duckett, D.; Currie, M.; Barlagne, C.; Hardy, C.; Townsend, L.; Flanigan, S.; Wilson, R.; Hopkins, J.; Pinker, A. The impact of corona virus on Rural Scotland - a contribution from the SEGS Group. 2. The impact on agriculture.. SEGS Blog, 2 April 2020.
Miller, D.R.; Hester, A.J.; Irvine, K.N.; Matthews, K.B.; Mitchell, R.: Nijnik, M.: Roberts, D.; Toth, I.; Wang, C. James Hutton Institute response to consultation by UK Parliament Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Call for Evidence on Tree Planting and Woodlands. Published on Website of the UK Parliament Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.
Moxey, A.P. and Thomson, S. (2020) Estimated Suckler Beef Climate Scheme effect within the National GHG ‘Smart’ Inventory
Moxey, A.P. and Thomson, S. (2020) Estimated Suckler Beef Climate Scheme implications for cattle numbers
Moxey, A.P. and Thomson, S. (2020) Implementation issues for the Suckler Beef Climate Group Scheme
Moxey, A.P. and Thomson, S. (2020) Suckler Beef Climate Change: Advisory support and accreditation
Moxey, A.P., McCraken, D. and Thomson, S. (2020) Environmental Conditionality on Direct Payments to Land Managers
Sutherland, L-A. (2020) Virtualizing the "good life": reworking narratives of agrarianism and the rural idyll in a computer game. Agriculture and Human Values, 37, 1155-1173.
Sutherland, L-A.; Calo, A. (2020) Assemblage and the 'good farmer': New entrants to crofting in Scotland. Journal of Rural Studies, 80, 532-542.
Thomson, S (2020) A roller coaster ride into the future Farm North East (Oct 2020 Edition)
Thomson, S (2021) Agricultural policy – evolution or revolution? Farm North East (Feb 2021 Edition)
Thomson, S (2020) It’s heating up – Beef sector the first focus for climate change groups. Farm North East (Dec 2020 Edition)
Thomson, S (2020) The future's not what it used to be Farm North East (Aug 2020 Edition)
Thomson, S (2020) The times they are a changing. Farm North East (Jun 2020 Edition)
Thomson, S (2020) What's the Beef? Farm North East (Apr 2020 Edition)
Thomson, S. and Moxey, A.P. (2020) Structure and Support of the Scottish Beef Sector 2019 – impact of CAP 2015 reforms
Thomson, S. and Moxey, A.P. (2020) Suckler Beef Climate Scheme: Broader Issues
Thomson, S. and Moxey, A.P. (2020) Suckler Beef Climate Scheme: Draft metrics
Thomson, S., Spencer, M., Reeves, A. and Moxey, A.P. (2020) Structure and Efficiency of the Scottish Beef Herd - Cattle Tracing System Insights
Townsend, L. (2020) The professional wild food community and Covid-19: The use of online platforms in supporting people to access alternative food sources. Local Development and Society, 1, 160-165.
Zagata, L.; Sutherland, L-A.; Hrabak, J.; Lostak, M. (2020) Mobilising the past: Towards a conceptualisation of retro-innovation. Sociologia Ruralis, 60, 639-660.
Zmija, K.; Fortes, A.; Tia, M.N.; Sumane, S.; Ayambila, S.N.; Zmija, D.; Satola, L.; Sutherland, L-A. (2020) Small farming and generational renewal in the context of food security challenges. Global Food Security, 26, Article No. 100412.
Atterton, J., McCracken, D., Thomson, S., Fischer-Moller, M., Glass, J., and McMorran, R (2021) Rural Policy - the landscape post-Brexit and Scottish election.
Barnes, AP., McMillan, J., Degiovanni, HG., Thomson, SG., Hopkins, J., and Sutherland L-A. (2021) Farmer past and intended investment behaviours: evidence from the large scale farmer intentions survey
Barnes, AP., McMillan, JM., Thomson, SG., Hopkins, J., Sutherland, L-A, Mathews, K. Farmer Responses to Brexit: Attitudes towards Risk in Scottish Farming – Briefing Note
Cécile Barnaud, Anke Fischer, Sam Staddon, Kirsty Blackstock, Clémence Moreau, Esteve Corbera, Alison Hester, Raphaël Mathevet, Annie McKee, Joana Reyes, Clélia Sirami, Antonia Eastwood (2021) Is forest regeneration good for biodiversity? Exploring the social dimensions of an apparently ecological debate. Environmental Science & Policy, Volume 120
Glenk, K., Thomson, S.G., Burns, B. Liebe, U., Potts, J.M. (2022) Perceived legitimacy of agricultural support and priorities for a future support scheme in Scotland
Iannetta P. P. M., Hawes C., Begg G. S., Maaß H., Ntatsi G., Savvas D., Vasconcelos M., Hamann K., Williams M., Styles D., Toma L., Shrestha S., Balázs B., Kelemen E., Debeljak M., Trajanov A., Vickers R, Rees R M. (2021) A Multifunctional Solution for Wicked Problems: Value-Chain Wide Facilitation of Legumes Cultivated at Bioregional Scales Is Necessary to Address the Climate-Biodiversity-Nutrition Nexus. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems Vol 5
Lamie, R. D., Chase, L., Chiodo, E., Dickes, L., Flanigan, S., Schmidt, C., & Streifeneder, T. (2021) Agritourism around the globe: Definitions, authenticity, and potential controversy. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development
Matthews, K.B.; Miller, D.; Wardell-Johnson, D.; Gandossi, G. (2021) 2014 vs 2019 Pillar 1 and 2 payments comparisons for ARD Stakeholders.
Matthews, K.B.; Renner, A.; Blackstock, K.L.; Waylen, K.A.; Miller, D.G.; Wardell-Johnson, D.H.; Juarez-Bourke, A.; Cadillo-Benalcazar, J.; Schyns, J.F.; Giampietro, M. (2021) Old wine in new bottles: exploiting data from the EU’s Farm Accountancy Data Network for Pan-EU sustainability assessments of agricultural production systems. Sustainability
McCracken, D., Mads Fischer-Moller, M., Thomson, S. and Powell, W. (2021) Food and farming experts assemble to discuss climate change Scottish Farmer November 2021
Newbold, J., Rees, B., Reed, M., McCracken, D., Lindsay, P., Fischer-Moller, M., Thomson, S. (2021) COP26 round table discussion (podcast). SRUC
Sutherland, L-A., Burton, R.J.F., Adamsone-Fiskovica, A., Hardy, C., Elzend , B., Debruynee , L., and Flanigan, S. (2021) Inclusivity of on-farm demonstration: gender, age and geographic location. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension
Thomson S.G. (2021) Carbon pricing & fiscal policies for a just agriculture & food transition? COP26 EU side Event
Thomson S.G. (2021) Crisis in Ukraine: Impact on Food Supply Chain in Scotland. Evidence to the Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee of the Scottish Parliament
Thomson, S. (2021) A new cycle for sustainable food production in international trade? Farm North East: (Issue No: 104, April 2021)
Thomson, S. (2021) Discussion of the potential impacts of the UK - Australia trade deal on both the UK and Irish farming sectors. RTE - Countrywide programme
Thomson, S. (2021) It ain't what you do – it's the way that you do it. Farm North East (Ed: Gillanders, E.) Issue No: 106, August 2021
Thomson, S. (2021) The policy landscape is changing – how to deliver a uniquely Scottish solution? Farm North East (Ed: Gillanders, E.) Issue No: 105, June 2021
Thomson, S. (2022) Agricultural Policy– What does Donald Rumsfeld have to do with it? Farm North East (Ed: Gillanders, E.) Issue No: 108, December 2021
Thomson, S. (2022) Future Agriculture Policy in the UK – Do all roads lead to Rome? Farm North East (Ed: Gillanders, E.) Issue No: 109, February 2022
Thomson, S.G. (2021) Future Fit Farming video series – Episode 1. Royal Bank of Scotland
Thomson, S.G., Moxey, A.P. and McCracken, D. (2022) Scottish agricultural policy: keeping conditional direct payments in the mix DEFRA/AES one-day conference ‘The Future of Farming Across the UK.
Thomson, SG. & Moxey, A. P. (2021) Disaggregating headline Smart Inventory figures for Scottish Agriculture.
Thomson., S.G, Moxey, A.P. and Hall, J (2021) The Transition to Future (Conditional) Agricultural Support – NFU Scotland’s Approach

Case Studies

Socioeconomic and biodiversity impacts of driven grouse moors in Scotland

The Fruits of Their Labour: Seasonal Farm Workers in Scottish Agriculture

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