DETAILS of NFU Scotland’s Autumn Conference and Council meeting have been released, touting a 'top bill' of speakers.

Attendees at the Birnam Arts Centre on Friday October 26 will hear from Shetland Management Committee chair Jamie Leslie, AgriScot’s Scotch Beef Farmer of the Year Robert Fleming, and Soil Essentials' Robert Ramsay, all as part of the ‘Taking the Steps to CHANGE’ session, looking at how farmers can utilise the land and soil they currently have in order to produce the best possible output for their business.

The second morning session, 'Your Health Your Wealth', will look at the importance of good health and welfare in farming. Mags Granger from RSABI and Jim Hume from the National Rural Mental Health Forum will be taking part in a discussion on the importance of opening up and seeking help for mental health issues. They will be joined by Graham Morgan, who has an MBE for services to mental health, and helped to write the Scottish Mental Health (2003) Care and Treatment Act – and who has also been detained under that same Act.

The Conference’s final session is ‘What’s on the horizon for Scottish agriculture’, which will include presentations from Go Rural director and Oxford Farming Conference chair Caroline Miller, and James Hutton Institute chief executive Professor Colin Campbell. Other speakers are still to be confirmed for this session.

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said: “It is an incredibly exciting line up of speakers we have at this year’s Conference and the session topics of utilising your current assets, health and wellbeing, and planning for the future have never been more important.

“The Autumn Conference and Council is always an exciting platform for us to discuss some of the most important issues facing our industry, and this year is no different. I am so glad that we are able to welcome speakers at the very top of their fields to join us for what is always a lively and informative day.

“I encourage all members to attend this conference and join in on the conversation. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to not only hear from interesting speakers but to also speak to officeholders and staff members who are representing them every day.”