Top-flight debate gives gathering an extra edge

Talks, seminars, contests and more make event unmissable

A headline debate on the current priorities for Scottish farmers, featuring Scotland’s Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing and NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick, is one of several key events planned for next week’s AgriScot.

Spread across four exhibition halls at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, the annual event’s highquality dairy competition will compete for visitor attention with a host of business, technical and advisory seminars and workshops.

There are also 240 trade stands and an extensive awards programme, highlighting Scottish agriculture’s top talents, both established and emerging. Dairy performance, contract and share farming and an examination of how to integrate forestry and agriculture and boost incomes in the process, are the seminar themes for this year.

“There’s also a number of workshops on livestock health, including an examination of the importance of dairy cow drying off, the impact of calf pneumonia on production and the prevention and control of cattle diseases, such as Johne’s disease and Cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves, plus how to fight fluke.

The Royal Bank of Scotland is running a fraud prevention session, while also focusing on the impact of fraud and cyber-crime on small businesses.

“As we look at an uncertain, postBrexit future, the aim of building resilience into farming businesses is an absolute necessity,” said AgriScot chairman Robert Neill, commenting on the strength of this year’s seminar programme.

“This year’s programme is a must attend for those seeking to ensure their farming businesses are strong enough to cope with the threats, and advantages, that lie ahead.”

While AgriScot is constantly seeking to extend its relevance to all sectors of the industry, the event’s strong dairy history remains central to its success, with £25,000 in prize money up for grabs this year.

There’s also the launch of a new dairy showring initiative in the shape of an “Any Other Breed” class.

Sitting alongside the traditional Ayrshire, Holstein, Jersey and Red and White contests, the new class is open to both in-milk heifers and cows and is designed to attract exhibitors of breeds, such as the Brown Swiss, British Friesian and Dairy Shorthorn.

“Going forward, we are keen to open up the show classes to encourage exhibitors of other breeds to take part,” said Mr Neill.

AgriScot takes place on Wednesday November 21 with doors opening at 9am and closing at 5.30pm.