http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/index.php All the latest news from the UK centre for sugar beet research - FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY en-gb Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:10:07 +0100 Copyright: (C) Broom's Barn Research Station http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/rss.php Press release: Feeding the Future - what's on the menu for UK food and farming in a world of climate change? British grown asparagus, pak choi and lemons could soon be making a bigger hit on supermarket shelves according to a new report by Green Futures. Grown in renewably powered glasshouses, and labelled as low-carbon products enabling consumer choice to drive demand, these are just a few opportunities that climate change offers, says ‘Feeding the Future'. ‘Feeding the Future' was commissioned by Farming Futures* and written and researched by the Green Futures editorial team. The special publication scans the horizon picking out the effects of changing weather patterns and shifting attitudes towards climate change. It looks at what and how we farm, as well as what and how we eat and retail food in the future. The report features articles by Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future and Jeff Rooker, Minister for Sustainable Food and Farming, who writes: "While climate change poses threats to farming and food production, it also offers business opportunities." Lord Rooker, along with NFU President Peter Kendall, and Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, President of the CLA, is keen for farming to be seen as part of the climate change solution. Sourcing Chinese vegetables from the Norfolk fens rather than Bangkok, and printing small but powerful ‘carbon labels' on packets of crisps are just two of the stories told by pioneering retailers and manufacturers who are beginning to grasp the business opportunities offered by a low-carbon food chain. In the report, innovative farmers talk of how they're making in-roads into the market by adapting to shifting weather patterns and growing crops better adapted to water shortages, such as olives and sunflowers. Growers share their success in saving money through low-carbon farming techniques - using greener fuel for glasshouses, low-energy lighting and more efficient transport. ‘Feeding the Future' tells the stories of the trail-blazers in the modern food economy. As Jonathon Porritt says, "what we are seeing now is only the start of the low-carbon revolution around the corner." Read the full story on the Green Futures website - click here http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/news.php?id=237 A new survey out today finds 81 per cent of farmers believe that the global climate is changing and 70 per cent believe that these changes offer them business benefits. The survey by Farming Futures finds more farmers in England now believe climate change is of benefit to their business. Farmers cited longer growing seasons, warmer weather, new crops and new markets as benefits. And many are growing exotic crops such as grapes, olives and walnuts, as well as biofuel to supply energy markets, showing that they see climate change as an opportunity rather than a threat to their business. Attitudes towards climate change were researched by surveying 385 farmers across England. This is the second of three surveys undertaken by Farming Futures and it found: 53 per cent of farmers are already affected by climate change62 per cent expect to be affected in the next ten years49 per cent feel they can personally help limit climate change50 per cent are improving their energy efficiency70 per cent believe climate change offers benefits24 per cent are interested in measuring their on-farm emissions Peter Kendall, President of the National Farmers Union said: "Our message to farmers now is to keep up the good work. We know that over 60 per cent are taking action on their farm to combat climate change. But this is no time to be complacent - there is still more to be done. "The climate is central to the success of our businesses and our industry. Adapting to and mitigating climate change is about reducing risk and costs, not just about saving the planet." The impacts of climate change will alter geographically but the UK is likely to experience warmer, wetter winters, fewer frosts and more frequent, extreme weather events such as storms and floods. David Fursdon, President of the Country Land and Business Association, said: "Farmers are more aware than most of the impacts of climate change. Although action to combat climate change could help to reduce on-farm costs, a relative lack of adaptive action could be a concern as the impacts of change increase in the future. "We're already experiencing some benefits, but the risk of increasingly drier summers mean our farmers need to plan now for the challenges ahead". Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future said: "Farmers, like other businesses, are beginning to realise that adapting to and mitigating climate change is crucial to the success of their business. "Reluctance to adapt could become a concern as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced, so it's important to remember that actions to combat climate change also help to reduce on-farm costs." Survey results, case studies and fact sheets on how climate change is expected to affect different farming sectors, and suggestions on adaptations and mitigations can be found on: www.farmingfutures.org.uk - ENDS -Notes to editors: Media enquiries to Katie Zabel on 020 7324 3670 / 07825 204434 / k.zabel@forumforthefuture.org.ukFarming Futures is a collaboration between Forum for the Future, the National Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association and the seven levy boards (via the Applied Research Forum) aims to communicate the challenges and opportunities of climate change to farmers The project is funded by Defra's Climate Challenge Fund. Sector specific fact sheets, case studies and news can be found on: www.farmingfutures.org.uk Find out more at the Defra, NFU, CLA and HGCA stands at the Royal Show on 1 - 4 July www.royalshow.org.uk http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/news.php?id=207 28th June 2007 at 6pm Keeping your soil on your land is one of the challenges for farming today. Meet Dr Philip Draycott, John Bailey, Dr Eric Ober and Prof Keith Jaggard for an informal evening including discussions and demonstrations on irrigation methods, erosion & runoff management on the farm, tramline & farm access management, quick fixes for retaining soil on your farm.HOG ROAST AND REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED To book your place, please contact Christine Küttner,Catchment Sensitive Farming Officer The Holt, Little Ouse & Black Bourn Headwaters. http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/news.php?id=203 In 2006 we entered the British Trust for Ornithology's Business Bird Challenge and gained a conservation award in the Research and Light Industry category. This follows on from similar awards in earlier Bird Challenges (in 2000 and 2004).There is more information on the environment section of our website. http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/news.php?id=196 The 1.4 mms of rain received during April 2007 was the lowest monthly rainfall total we have ever recorded (since recording began in 1963)For more information:http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/weather/ http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/broom/news.php?id=195