The free event will be held at Upper Raddery near Fortrose, which is farmed by Andrew and Mary-Jo Grant, on 15 June.
Delegates are encouraged to come along and hear from industry specialists on key management-related topics which can be implemented on farm and to participate in what promises to be a lively afternoon debate, posing the question, ‘How does the Scottish beef industry prepare for the future?’
A stellar panel will include Harry Brown of Auchmaliddie Mains Farm, the 2022 AgriScot Scotch Beef Farm of the Year winner, Nuffield Scholar Victoria Ballantyne of Clynelish Farm, Hugh Fraser, Director of Dingwall and Highland Marts, Senior Economist Steven Thomson of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), while the debate will be chaired by SAC Consulting’s Gavin Hill.
Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in four interactive stations during the course of the morning, all hosted by experts from SAC Consulting and SRUC, covering a range of topics from body condition scoring and nutrition to methane inhibitors and an update on beef markets and profitability.
There will also be a demonstration of parasite diagnostic tool FecPac, by Conanvets, and an update on developments in technology on farms by Ross Robertson of Agri Epi.
During lunch, there will be ample time for networking and delegates will have the opportunity to take part in a friendly stock judging competition, visit a number of trade stands, with SAC Consulting specialists on hand to answer questions throughout.
Chairing the day’s activities will be SAC Consulting’s Kirsten Williams, who is hoping for another brilliant turnout.
“We were absolutely delighted to welcome so many farmers to Cairnborrow last year and the quality of conversations which ensued was a real tribute to the great work so many of our suckler farmers are already doing to improve efficiency and profitability within their herds,” she said.
“We are pleased to be continuing the ‘Cows and Carbon’ conversation, which presents both opportunities and challenges to farmers, and I’d urge delegates to grasp the chance to tap into the wealth of expertise which will be on hand during the day, so they can get best prepare for some of the big changes ahead.”
Host farmers Andrew and Mary-Jo Grant operate a mixed farming system including cattle, sheep and arable. Together they run a commercial suckler herd of around 175 breeding females, with progeny primarily sold store between ten and 12 months through the ring at Dingwall Mart, with a smaller number finished and sold both dead weight and direct to consumers.
“We are looking forward to hosting the ‘Cows and Carbon’ event here at Upper Raddery,” said Andrew and Mary-Jo Grant. “It will be great to have so many leading industry experts here to talk over the pressing issues facing the beef sector at this current time.”
Commenting on the afternoon debate, Gavin Hill added: “Although there has been a bit more positivity in the beef sector of late, with strong finishing and store prices along with input costs coming down to more manageable levels, we are still a long way from having full confidence in Scotland’s beef sector. In part, this is due to a lack of clarity around agricultural policy in the future and so during the debate, we want to take a temperature check of the industry and hear how beef farmers are preparing for the future.”
The event, which will take place between 10.15am to 3.30pm, is funded by the University Innovation Fund from the Scottish Funding Council.
Although free to attend, interested participants should register for catering purposes by phoning SAC Consulting’s Elgin office on 01343 548787 or by emailing elgin@sac.co.uk.
