2019-01-14 |
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Latest Technology to feature at Scotland's Beef Event
Scotland’s Beef Event 2019 on Thursday, May 30, will be hosted by beef farmers, Robbie and Barbara Milne and their son James, at North Bethelnie, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie.
The event, organised by the Scottish Beef Association with arrangements in the hands of a local committee under the chairmanship of SBA vice-chairman, David Barron, Nether Aden, Mintlaw, is expected to attract a large attendance of beef farmers from all over Scotland and beyond.
The Milne family with the SBA Chairman and Vice Chairman
The all-grass farm extends to 500 acres owned, plus 300 acres grass and 364 acres hill rented seasonally and supports a suckler herd of 320 Salers and Salers cross cows, with all progeny either finished on the farm or sold as forward stores, depending on market conditions and available space. Cows are crossed with Charolais, Salers and Aberdeen-Angus bulls.
“North Bethelnie is widely recognised as a well-managed commercial beef farm producing high quality beef cattle and forward stores and with an extensive range of buildings is an ideal venue for Scotland’s leading annual beef event,” said Mr Barron.
“We are grateful to the Milne family for kindly agreeing to host this important event for the beef industry in Scotland.”
Mr Barron said the beef industry was currently experiencing considerable pressures as a result of the unseasonal easing of prime cattle prices and a declining national beef herd, coupled with misguided calls to reduce beef cattle numbers to reduce carbon emissions.
“Scotland’s Beef Event 2019 will address these issues head-on by showcasing the latest technology to help farmers become as efficient as possible and at the same time highlight the importance of grassland in the sequestration of carbon which is never mentioned by scientists when talking about the carbon emissions of cattle.
“Efficient beef production and a reduction in net carbon emissions in to the atmosphere go hand-in-hand and are not mutually exclusive.”
Gold sponsors already confirmed for the event include ANM Group, Clydesdale Bank, East Coast Viners Animal Nutrition, Kepak MacIntosh Donald, Meadows Veterinary Centre, Ravenhill, Salers Cattle Society and Water Fuel Solutions. Further sponsorship opportunities are available.
“We are grateful to those firms who have already committed to sponsorship and would welcome more sponsors to come on board,” said Mr Barron. “Trade stand bookings are also coming in steadily and I would urge prospective exhibitors to book trade stand space as soon as possible to secure the most advantageous positions.”
Features of the event will include a farm tour, a range of technical demonstrations covering all aspects of beef production, a “Beef after Brexit” seminar with a panel of industry experts to be chaired by former BBC Scotland farming correspondent, Ken Rundle and a stockjudging competition.
