A Packed Programme Of Expert Speakers From The UK And Beyond Will Inform And Inspire Delegates At The BCBC Conference on 25th January 2022.
The theme for the conference, which will be held virtually, is ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ to reflect BCBC chair Karen Wonnacott’s drive to deliver positive, forward-looking messages after the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current challenges facing the agricultural industry.
Please click HERE for the full programme.
Building mental resilience is the theme for the opening session with former international Rugby Union referee and beef farmer Nigel Owens. Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries for M&S Food will then explore what today’s consumers want from farmers and how this will affect technical innovation at farm level.
In the beef room, founder and CEO of Meat Imaging, Desi Cicale will share insights from the USA and what benefits it could offer UK producers. Prof. Jonathan Statham will update delegates on the latest developments in breeding technologies and phenotyping, drawing on experiences from Canada and the UK.
In the dairy room, Marco Winters, head of animal genetics at AHDB Dairy will discuss the role of genetics in the industry reaching its Net Zero target, followed by speakers Claire Phyn of Dairy NZ Ltd, and Dr Andy Borrowman, veterinary surgeon and farmer Kevin Tlucek of Snake River Dairies, both from Idaho bringing expertise and insight from overseas.
The final conference session will bring all delegates together for presentations on climate change from Prof Myles Allen of Oxford University and breeding and genetics by Prof Jude Capper. Jude will discuss the gains made since the pioneering work of Sir John Hammond, how far they have brought us in terms of improving sustainability and what challenges and opportunities we face in the future.
“We are all operating in a volatile and uncertain marketplace at present, but we as a Club feel that it is so important to continue to learn and engage with industry experts to drive businesses forward,” says Karen. “BCBC ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ will give you just what you need to kickstart your 2022 and we look forward to welcoming you. See www.cattlebreeders.org.uk