Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Neglected intermediaries in bioenergy straw supply chains: Understanding the roles of merchants, contractors and agronomists in England

Helliwell, Richard; Seymour, Susanne; Wilson, Paul

Neglected intermediaries in bioenergy straw supply chains: Understanding the roles of merchants, contractors and agronomists in England Thumbnail


Authors

Richard Helliwell

Profile Image

PAUL WILSON PAUL.WILSON@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Agricultural Economics



Abstract

Outside of Denmark, straw-based bioenergy has seen uneven success across Europe. In the UK, straw-based bioenergy has been positioned as making a potentially important contribution to the UK government's energy and environmental objectives. However, growth of the sector has been modest and supply shortages have been experienced despite straw being anticipated as readily available in the UK and surplus to existing market requirements. This paper explores a previously under theorised and neglected aspect of this story, the role played by agricultural intermediaries, merchants, contractors and advisors. Drawing on interviews with farmers, bioenergy industry representatives, agronomists, straw merchants and contractors from three case study areas, it finds that intermediaries undertake key roles providing physical and social labour required to maintain straw supply chains. They provide baling equipment, maintain informal and formal agreements with producers and users, build and maintain trust, influence on-farm management of straw and increase supply chain resilience to market shocks. However, there is tension between agronomists who advise straw incorporation and the aims of straw merchants/bioenergy policy which seek to incentivise baling. If policy makers are committed to developing a straw-based bioenergy industry, then policy frameworks need to engage in a multi-actor approach that enables the development of committed and well-resourced intermediaries.

Citation

Helliwell, R., Seymour, S., & Wilson, P. (2020). Neglected intermediaries in bioenergy straw supply chains: Understanding the roles of merchants, contractors and agronomists in England. Energy Research and Social Science, 63, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101387

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 28, 2019
Online Publication Date Dec 14, 2019
Publication Date 2020-05
Deposit Date Jan 6, 2020
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Energy Research & Social Science
Print ISSN 2214-6296
Electronic ISSN 2214-6296
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 63
Article Number 101387
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101387
Keywords Cereal straw; Bioenergy policy; Agricultural intermediaries; Farmer decision making; Supply chains; Middle actors
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3662811
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629619302749?via%3Dihub
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Neglected intermediaries in bioenergy straw supply chains: Understanding the roles of merchants, contractors and agronomists in England; Journal Title: Energy Research & Social Science; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101387; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations