AFBI/LMC beef conference: adapting to challenging times - the role of innovation in beef production

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) and the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) are jointly hosting a major Conference for the Northern Ireland beef industry on Thursday 13th November 2014 at the King’s Hall Conference Centre, Belfast from 10am to 4pm.

Following exceptionally high prices in 2013, the beef industry has had to contend with reduced market returns in 2014.  The strong recovery in farmgate prices this autumn, while welcome for beef producers, is further evidence of increased market volatility.  This will be compounded further in 2015 given the reduction in Single Farm Payment on many farms as a consequence of CAP reform.  In this challenging environment, the industry needs to extract the best possible return from the market by developing new opportunities and responding to customer requirements.  Meanwhile improvements in production efficiency and a more integrated supply chain will be necessary to survive and ongoing investment in research and development to explore and evaluate innovative approaches to drive improved efficiency in the sector is critical.

Given this background, the overall aim of the conference is to bring together stakeholders from all links along the food chain; farmers, processors, researchers, policymakers and retailers to discuss the challenges currently facing  our beef industry and explore mechanisms to overcome these.  This conference will include a range of both local and international speakers outlining the challenges that lie ahead, highlighting the latest research findings and how application of these on farm can improve efficiency and assist the industry to grow in the future, as set out in the AgriFood Strategy Board Going for Growth report.

Keynote speakers include Tesco’s Tom Hind and Dr Graham Plastow from the University of Alberta. As Tesco’s Agricultural Director, Tom Hind is well placed to give an insight into retailer and customer requirements.  Leading Canadian scientist, Dr Graham Plastow will highlight global research advances in selecting for improved feed efficiency in beef cattle that offers significant potential to reduce costs of beef production.

Speakers from LMC, AFBI, CAFRE and DARD will bring a local perspective to the conference with presentations on trends in local beef production and how application of research findings from AFBI can assist in improving efficiency on farm.

Leading local beef producer Sam Chesney will give an overview of how innovation has led to improvements within his own farm. The conference proceedings will be summarised by local beef farmer Derek Shaw who has extensive knowledge and experience of producing beef in both Northern Ireland and Australia.

Full conference details are available on the LMC and AFBI websites.

The programme for the Beef Conference can be seen here: AFBI-LMC Beef Conference Programme (PDF 1Mb)
 

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Government departments, public bodies and commercial companies. 

AFBI's Vision is “Scientific excellence in Northern Ireland …  serving the world”.

All media enquiries to AFBI Press Office.

 

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