A look at what to expect at next week’s AgriScot

AgriScot chairman Andrew Moir sets the scene for this year’s event

AgriScot, The Farm Business Event is a must-attend for forward-thinking farmers – I believe there is no other event with such a solid business emphasis.

We celebrated 15 years of AgriScot in 2016, and year-on-year the feedback from trade stand holders is that they are delighted with the fact that farmers attend the event to talk business and, importantly, to do business.

The second aspect, which sets AgriScot apart, is our emphasis on the future. The whole event is geared up to showcase new products, new ideas and new thinking.

We aim for visitors to gleaned, learned or leave having purchased something that will bring about future improvements to their farming business.

Every square metre of indoor space in the Royal Highland Centre exhibition halls will be packed out on Wednesday, with almost 250 trade stands.

New machinery launches from big names such as John Deere and Pottinger are sure to be big attractions, and for the first time we will have a pick-up truck manufacturer, Isuzu, exhibiting.

Our 2017 event will see an increased programme of livestock workshops – the Moredun Foundation will return to host an animal health focused workshop, and there will be a workshop examining how the lamb supply chain – from farm to retail – can be made more efficient.

AgriScot will also, once again, host a packed programme of business seminars, with NFU Scotland and the rural secretary participating in a state-of-the-nation debate.

New for this year is a seminar looking at forestry, and its interaction with the farming sector, hosted by Davidson & Robertson.

The AgriScot farm of the year awards, for dairy farm, beef farm and sheep farm will be presented along with the Scottish arable farm of the year award in its inaugural year.

Thanks to the continued support of trade stands and sponsors, AgriScot is free to enter and has free parking, however all visitors must register.

Registration can be done in advance online at www.agriscot.co.uk

Andrew Moir farms at Mains of Thornton, Laurencekirk.