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) jointly hosted a major Conference for the Northern Ireland beef industry on Thursday 13th November 2014 at the King’s Hall Conference Centre, Belfast.

Over 200 farmers, processors, researchers and other beef industry stakeholders attended the event.  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 was 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.  The conference included a range of both local and international speakers who outlined the challenges that lie ahead, highlighted 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 Agri-Food Strategy Board Going for Growth report.

Speakers

Sam Chesney (Farmer)

Sam Chesney from Kircubbin, Co down, farms 200 acres running a 130 cow suckler herd and 50 ewe sheep flock.

At present, Sam is vice chair of Agrisearch beef committee and has been a co-researcher with AFBI on farm projects regarding beef, 24month calving and synchronisation of beef heifers. He also has been a Focus Farm and has hosted many visitors.

Presentation (PDF) Mr Sam Chesney
Presentation (YouTube) Mr Sam Chesney

James Derek Shaw F.R.Ag.S, F.InstD (Farmer)

Derek Shaw is involved in the international Agricultural Food Sector. He farms at Gilford and in the 1970s started a large beef fattening enterprise fattening 2500 to 3000 cattle per year.

Derek is also a director and shareholder of M P Evans Group PLC a UK plantation company with palm oil interests in Indonesia. He is chairman of Elmfield Energy Services Ltd a company founded by his son which has forestry interest in the USA supplying wood products to the pulp and bioenergy sector.
Presentation (PDF) Mr Derek Shaw
Presentation (YouTube) Mr Derek Shaw

Professor Graham Plastow, Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta

Graham Plastow is Professor of Livestock Genomics and Chief Executive Officer of the Livestock Gentec Centre (funded by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions).
Presentation (PDF) Prof Graham Plastow
Presentation (YouTube) Prof Graham Plastow

Tom Hind, Group Agriculture Director, Tesco Stores Plc

Tom was appointed as Tesco Group Agriculture Director in November 2013. His responsibilities include setting the business strategy for agriculture across the Tesco group, building stronger relationships with farmers and growers and overseeing agriculture-related policy and technical standards in the business.
Presentation (PDF) Mr Tom Hinds
Presentation (YouTube) Mr Tom Hinds

Dr Norman Fulton, Director of Policy and Economics, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)

Norman has lead responsibility within the Department for the provision of economic analysis and advice and the collection and publication of agri-food statistics.

He also has a policy review and development responsibility and is the policy lead for NI in the current Pillar 1 CAP reforms. He acts as sponsor within DARD for the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute.

Presentation (PDF) Dr Norman Gault
Presentation (YouTube) Dr Norman Gault

Dr Norman Gault, Project Leader, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Dr Norman Gault is a Principal Scientific Officer and Project Leader in the Food Science Branch of the Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division of AFBI located at Newforge Lane in Belfast.
Presentation (PDF) Dr Norman Gault
Presentation (YouTube) Dr Norman Gault)

Jim Freeburn B.Agr, Head of Beef and Sheep Development Branch, College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE)

Jim Freeburn is Head of Beef and Sheep Development Branch, CAFRE.
Presentation (PDF) Conall Donnelly
Presentation (YouTube) Conall Donnelly

Conall Donnelly, Economist, Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC)

Conall joined LMC in 2009 and takes responsibility for analysing and reporting on the business environment facing the NI red meat market, including supply, demand and price trends.
Presentation (PDF) Conall Donnelly
Presentation (YouTube) Conall Donnelly

Dr Francis Lively (Senior Scientific Officer and Project Leader, Sustainable Beef Production Systems, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Francis is a Senior Scientific Officer and Project Leader of Sustainable Beef Production Systems within Agriculture Branch of the Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences Division of AFBI located at Hillsborough.
Presentation (PDF) Dr Francis Lively
Presentation (YouTube) Dr Francis Lively 

Dr Steven Morrison, BAgr, PhD, Head of Sustainable Livestock Systems, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)

Dr. Morrison is Head of Sustainable Livestock Systems at AFBI.

He is responsible for not only youngstock research but also covering many other aspects of sustainable livestock systems such as genetics and carbon footprinting.
Presentation (PDF) Dr Steven Morrison
Presentation (YouTube) Dr Steven Morrison

Notes to editors: 

AFBI carries out high-quality technology research and development, statutory, analytical, and diagnostic testing functions for DARD and other Go​vernment 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 028 9025 5326.

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