Cutting Edge Agricultural Research Under Microscope
2009-07-03

Cutting edge agricultural research will come under the microscope at a half day conference to be staged by Genesis Faraday in conjunction with the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers at the Stoneleigh Park Conference Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry on Tuesday 15 September, the eve of the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.

Called Opportunities in Bioscience for Agri-business, the afternoon programme sponsored by Waitrose and EBLEX, will provide an overview of the industry’s current R&D in key areas together with the likely next steps forward for both the livestock and arable sectors.

Sir Ben Gill will start the event by reviewing the likely challenges that the supply sector will need to face in the near future. Genesis Faraday’s director, Chris Warkup will explain why the industry is at the dawn of a new age for animal breeding, while the Royal Veterinary College’s principal, Prof Quentin McKellar will review current and possible new tools for maintaining healthy animals. What’s on the horizon and beyond for crops will be explored by NIAB’s chief executive, Dr Tina Barsby. Finally, the BBSRC’s role in delivering business and societal impacts will be discussed by its innovation and skills director, Dr Celia Caulcott.

RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington commented: “This inaugural conference is designed to bring technical directors and managers from the supply sector up to speed with the latest developments in agricultural R&D which in turn will help them develop and introduce new products to improve farmers’ efficiency and profitability.” He added: “This initiative is also designed to put something back in to the supply sector as an appreciation of their support for the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.”

Genesis Faraday’s Huw Jones said: “The industry is operating in an ever fast moving world of R&D. This event will provide a great opportunity for us and RABDF with the help of our sponsors, to provide an insight in to a number of exciting and innovative product development opportunities in the bioscience field. Grasping these opportunities will be key to maintaining the UK’s livestock and arable sectors as major international players.”

Registration for the afternoon conference can be made by contacting Genesis Faraday, info@genesis-faraday.org or 0131 527 4358. Registration is free of charge for all delegates up to 31 August, after which the cost will be £40 + VAT for non-Genesis Faraday member organisations.

Record Breaking Entries for Great Yorkshire Show
Perfect Blend for Greenest Ever Great Yorkshire Show
Sheep Shearing Skills at the Great Yorkshire Show