ONE OF the country’s leading experts on the agricultural effects of climate change, Dr Mike Rivington from The James Hutton Institute, is to address February's ‘Farming Scotland' conference.

The event, now its 16th year, will be held at Carnoustie Hotel, Angus on Thursday, February 14, sponsored by EQ Chartered Accountants, Bell Ingram, the Royal Bank of Scotland and Thorntons Solicitors.

Dr Rivington, an expert in land modelling, will present his assessment of the effects of climatic change on Scottish agriculture, explaining the medium and long-term impacts of changing growing seasons, cropping patterns and the environment.

He said: “I will be delighted to speak at February'’s conference, when I will focus on two projects I have been working on which show climate change trends dating back to 1960 and predictions for the decades ahead. Together these two approaches paint an interesting and reasonably comprehensive picture of what conditions may be like in the future, what risks and opportunities may exist and how farmers may have to adapt."

Also in the speaker line up is Jeremy Moody, secretary and advisor of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers and advisor to the Scottish Agricultural Arbiters and Valuers Association, whose knowledge of agri-policy issues will shape an interesting debate on the new political environment post-Brexit.

Meanwhile, BBC’s Countryfile 2018 'Farming Heroes' Kirsty and Aimee Budge will tell of the ups and downs of taking on their family farm in Shetland following the death of their father.

The conference’s final speaker will be city financier turned ethical grocer Ben Pugh, founder and CEO of Farmdrop, which aims to put power back in the hands of local producers by reinventing the supply chain and making local food more accessible to consumers.

Partner at EQ Accountants and conference chair, Graeme Davidson, added: “We are delighted with the range and quality of speakers that will ensure delegates to the conference are informed and inspired by people who we can all admire and learn from."

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Mary Campbell on telephone 01307 474274, email mary.campbell@eqaccountants.co.uk, or via www.farmingscotlandconference.co.uk