As pressures mount on the UK farming industry, there has never been a more important time to build resilience into agricultural businesses, and this will be core of seminar discussions at AgriScot, on November 16.

An impressive talk-shop programme has been designed to tackle some of the big challenges facing farming businesses, including sessions on agricultural policy, recruiting staff, skills and training, business resilience, dairy, arable technologies and livestock identification.

The programme will run from 9.30am to 4.30pm with presentations, talks and discussions led by the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland; ScotEID; NFU Scotland; Scottish Dairy Hub; QMS; Soil Essentials; Agri-Epi Centre; Moredun; Brodies; RBS; SAOS and a special workshop run by the 'Be Your Best Self' programme.

Commenting on the wide-ranging topics up for discussion, chairman Robert Neill said: “The farming landscape has much changed since we last gathered exhibitors, farmers, agricultural bodies and workers together, and we hope to provide some valuable expertise and solutions to help safeguard businesses against some of the challenges ahead.

“Our jam-packed seminar programme offers something for every business and all agricultural sectors, topics ranging from: animal disease updates, to agricultural policy discussions; advice on futureproofing our future work force, to information on soil health.

“As an industry, we will all need to adjust to a changing farming landscape in the years ahead, as new policy evolves across the UK. Farmers need to act now to business-proof their operations, be that through investing in new technology, nurturing new talent or diversifying their portfolio, we all need to think differently about the future or risk being left behind.

“There will be many burning questions that attendees will want to ask on the day about what the future holds for farming support, and this will no doubt make the head-to-head with the Cabinet Secretary and our NFUS President, a hotly anticipated event.

"I’m looking forward to chairing the session and setting out the very different climate in which farming exists today, with input costs at an all time high, demands and pressures on the sector have much changed from when post-Brexit policy talks first began, a few years ago.

“The session by SAOS on future-proofing farming’s workforce will be a critical discussion at a time where farming faces recruitment and retention challenges across the board. Securing a skilled and reliable workforce will be a deciding factor in many business decisions in the years ahead and advice and support in this regard will be warmly received.

“We are also delighted to be hosting the announcement of QMS’ new Monitor farmers during their afternoon session. It will be the first opportunity to find out who will be representing the different regions across Scotland and hear their plans for the next four years.

“There will be much to take in on the day and we know that not everyone will have the time to engage in all the seminars they would like to, so we are delighted to be streaming the seminars live and interested parties can watch them back after the event.”

Seminars will take place in the Upper Foyer of the Highland Hall across two main rooms. You can register for your free ticket online now and for more information on the programme, visit https://agriscot.co.uk/seminars/

AgriScot Seminar Programme 2022

Seminar room 1

9.30-10.30 IAAS and Scot EID – Cattle EID Next Steps

11.00-12.00 NFU Scotland – Head-to-head

13.00-14.00 Scottish Dairy Hub and Kite Consulting – Panel session

14.15-15.15 QMS – Monitor Farm programme announcement

Seminar room two

10.00-11.00 Soil Essentials and Agri-EPI Centre – Importance of soil sampling

12.00-13.00 Moredun – Animal Health Update

13.15-14.15 Brodies LLP and RBS – Business resilience

14.30-15.30 SAOS – Future-proofing farming’s workforce

15.30-16.30 ‘Be Your Best Self’ – Workshop

Spotlight on this year’s seminars:

Brodies LLP and RBS

Against a backdrop of economic pressures facing farming, Brodies LLP and RBS are partnering up to deliver a combined seminar offering legal and financial insight to assist farmers with navigating their businesses through the current challenges.  

RBS' economic expert will set the scene by providing a macro perspective before focusing on the current outlook for farming businesses in Scotland. Roddy McLean, director of agriculture will provide insight into the measures farming businesses should be taking, and the support they can obtain in doing so. 

Clive Phillips, partner and head of rural business at Brodies, will discuss the legal implications and potential opportunities that can be considered when facing such headwinds. He will offer a focus on farming business structures and diversification strategies that can be utilised. 

Graeme Leith, partner in rural business at Brodies, will also discuss legal aspects of participation in the green economy. 

NFU Scotland

The much anticipated head-to-head between the NFUS president and Cabinet Secretary will once again take place in Foyers Hall, with AgriScot chair, Robert Neill, 'holding the jackets'.

NFU Scotland's Martin Kennedy and the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, will discuss the food security crisis and future agricultural policy and will take questions from the room throughout the hour-long session.

SAOS

Over the next decade, Scottish farming faces a number of challenges including implementing climate-friendly farming, further improving productivity, increasing the adoption of new technology and replacing an ageing workforce. 

In SAOS’ seminar, organisers will explore with the audience how the sector can adapt to future-proof its workforce, including attracting and recruiting new employees into agriculture, retain the existing workforce, develop their skills to embrace new opportunities and create next generation leaders within our industry.

Scottish Dairy Hub and Kite Consulting

The popular ‘Question Time’ event is back again, with Scottish Dairy Hub and Kite Consulting joining forces to deliver an expert panel session with speakers giving an insight into the short and long-term outlook, opportunities, and challenges for Scottish dairy farmers.

As in previous years, there will be an opportunity for dairy farmers and stakeholders to bring along their probing questions for the panel and listen to the latest market intel. 

This year’s panel includes George Burgess, director of agriculture and rural economy at Scottish Government; Paul Savage, UK agricultural director at Arla Foods; Sarah Simpson, farm director and agri-policy specialist; and journalist and market analyst, Chris Walkland.

IAAS and Scot EID

Representatives from IAAS and Scot EiD will present the latest position on the progress of cattle EID, which is commencing in 2024, with an insight into how ScotEID data will be used to prove livestock’s vital environmental purpose.

The session will include updates on timings, progress of technology and how it will work in practice on farm, with hauliers and in livestock markets. This seminar will provide farming and crofting business owners and managers with a clearer picture of what actions they may need to take on farm as we head towards a full introduction of bovine EiD in Scotland.

Soil Essentials and Agri-EPI centre

Promoting the importance of soil sampling will be at the heart of this joint session between Soil Essentials and Agri-EPI Centre. With the increased cost of lime and fertilisers plaguing many farming businesses, knowing and understanding your soil analysis has never been so important.

SoilEssentials has supported customers across the length and breadth of Scotland since 2000 with precision agriculture-based soil sampling, mapping and reporting services, and know that to improve and maximise your agricultural efficiency, it starts from the ground up.

Attendees will be reminded that they can still apply for the current Scottish Government grant available for soil sampling.

Moredun Foundation

Moredun scientists will once again provide an animal health update for the industry, with particular focus on johne’s disease and BVD

On BVD, Dr George Russell will provide an update on the current status of the eradication campaign in Scotland and describe how work at Moredun is helping improve their understanding of the strains involved.  

On Johne’s Disease (JD), Dr Craig Watkins will focus on Moredun’s current research including, developing better diagnostic tests and vaccines, environmental transmission and management strategies for JD on farm. 

Be Your Best Self

A new addition to this year’s seminar line-up is a workshop which will be discussing a free online development programme for women working in the rural sector.

Women working in agriculture, in an allied trade or with aspirations to set up their own rural business are encouraged to sign up for ‘Be Your Best Self’ programme, a free online programme, funded by the Scottish Government which helps rural women from across Scotland to grow their confidence, identify their skills and build their networks.

During AgriScot, the facilitators of the course will be available to have an informal chat about how the programme could benefit you and there are still spaces available for interested applicants to apply.

You can find out more about the programme at www.beyourbestself.site

QMS

Nine new monitor farms will be revealed during a seminar sponsored by QMS and AHDB for the Monitor Farm programme and will be followed by a panel session.

This programme aims to instigate positive transformational change through innovative sustainable farming practices on different farms across Scotland.

The learnings and the example set by monitor farms will be used to support farmers across the country. Innovation will be key to achieving full economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

Commenting, QMS said: “The Monitor Farm programme offers the perfect scenario to bring research and industry closer together to seek solutions for a resilient Scottish agricultural sector.

"How each of the nine farms chooses to optimise their business and improve their profitability will be as unique as the businesses themselves. However, we cannot improve without a starting point, making data invaluable.”

The panel session will be chaired by QMS chair, Kate Rowell and the panellists will include past monitor farmers, Jason and Vic Ballantyne, and representation from various research organisations.