AgriScot – a showcase for across all of agriculture
WITH more than 230 exhibitors attending this year, there is something to suit every business and appeal to all farming sectors at AgriScot.
This trade-focused event, where businesses come to meet farmers face-toface, share expertise and new product offerings, usually benefits agricultural businesses and forges important relationships for years to come.
It is one of the main business events in the UK where farmers can grasp the opportunity to meet with suppliers, hear the latest in ag tech, from health care to machinery, and take advantage of the huge range of expertise on offer, all in one place.
With rising costs impacting farm businesses across the board, this year’s event will be focused on what exhibitors can offer farmers to help cut down on inputs and increase farm efficiency.
Farmer John MacInnes, from the Isle of Iona, has been the trade stands manager at AgriScot since joining the team at Rural Projects, who deliver the event, in 2001. He explained why exhibitors are so fundamental to the success of the day.
“The exhibitors have always been the most important part of AgriScot, they have provided the financial backing to allow us to offer such a fantastic free event and the quality of trade stands we deliver year on year, is testament to the brilliant businesses we have supporting the agricultural sector,” he said.
“Since the event evolved from DairyScot to AgriScot in 2001, there has been a progression away from dairy-only focussed trade standards, to a wide range of exhibitors catering for all farming sectors.
“Ultimately, our exhibitors are here to do business. They may have a new product to launch through suppliers and it is a good chance to make trade contacts as well as network with farmers. Agriculture is a people industry, and people like to meet face-to-face to buy products and find out more about new technology, whatever may benefit their business.”
It is not just about providing a strong lineup of trade stands but ensuring that there is good engagement from visitors to make the most of what is on offer. John explained that AgriScot had high retention rates for exhibitors and the organising team strives to maintain those links year on year, but are also delighted to have some new exhibitors involved this year.
“We were able to free up some space this year to accommodate around 25 new exhibitors, which is good as it freshens up our offering and allows us to showcase new products,” he continued. “We are hearing from exhibitors that keeping costs in check will be a big focus this year and visitors to AgriScot can expect to be offered advice and solutions to keeping costs down and driving efficiency.
“I would urge people swithering about whether to come along, to make the trip, as no matter what sector you’re in, you will discover something new and leave with learning points which will be worthwhile to your own business.”
The 23 new exhibitors are:
1, Agri-Epi Centre
2, Spaldings
3, GT Bunning and Sons
4, Te Pari Products (UK) 5, Tilhill
6, SAVECO Environmental 7, Feedlync and Herdlync 8, smaXtec
9, Powered Pasture
10, N2 Applied
11, ADM
12, DALBO UK
13, iLivestock (Duradiamond
Software)
14, Treeline Woodlands
15, SIB Services Machinery 16, Nimrod Veterinary Products
17, Close Brothers Asset Finance 18, QUICKBLOCK
19, Cefetra
20, ICL UK Sales
21, Liquid Mineral Services 22, Self Guard (TAS Farmer’s
Eye)
23, Aberdeen- Angus Cattle
Society
Spotlight on some of this year’s exhibitors
Thorburn Group
Livestock handling and shed building suppliers, Thorburn Group UK, will be returning to AgriScot for the third time, with father and son team, Alistair and Euan Thorburn, looking forward to meeting with customers and sharing their recent expansion plans.
The family-run business, formerly known as JS Thorburn and Sons, has undergone a change in leadership and brand over the past year and is investing £5m as part of a new business expansion at Duns Industrial Estate, covering six acres in the Scottish Borders.
The first stage of operations at the new premises begins this November but it isn’t the only exciting change for the group, who recently bought Premier Livestock Handling, hoping to expand the offering of cattle crushes.
Thorburn Group supply equipment and sheds across the British Isles and they have 10 teams on the ground, with