A Breath of Fresh Air

A packed programme of expert speakers from the UK and beyond will inform and inspire delegates at the BCBC Conference in January 2022. 

The theme for the conference, which will be held virtually, is ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ to reflect BCBC chair Karen Wonnacott’s drive to deliver positive, forward-looking messages after the difficulties posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the current challenges facing the agricultural industry.

Karen says: “We are delighted to be hosting a wide range of fantastic speakers and are looking forward to an enlightening and informative conference that will inspire delegates and provide up-to-date, progressive research along with sound, practical advice on ways to improve breeding and genetics at farm level.”

Building mental resilience is the theme for the opening session with former international Rugby Union referee and beef farmer Nigel Owens. Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries for M&S Food will then explore what today’s consumers want from farmers and how this will affect technical innovation at farm level.

Delegates will have the choice of attending beef or dairy specific presentations in the corresponding virtual ‘rooms’. Both rooms will host sessions on sustainability and the appliance of science and technology. 

Speakers in the beef room include Sarah Haire, head of agriculture for Dawn Meats/Dunbia and chair of UK Cattle Sustainability Platform, Ireland, Seth Wareing of Stabiliser Cattle Company and Ballymena farmer and vet Billy O’Kane.

Founder and CEO of Meat Imaging, Desi Cicale will share insights from the USA and what benefits it could offer UK producers. Prof. Jonathan Statham will update delegates on the latest developments in breeding technologies and phenotyping, drawing on experiences from Canada and the UK.

In the dairy room, Marco Winters, head of animal genetics at AHDB Dairy will discuss the role of genetics in the industry reaching its Net Zero target. Also speaking will be Andrew Rutter, herd manager and partner at Clayhanger Farm Partnership and First Milk’s sustainability director, Mark Brooking.

A lunchtime ‘chat show-style’ session will be available over lunch with James Duke and others from ADF Milking. 

The afternoon dairy speakers Claire Phyn of Dairy NZ Ltd, Dr Andy Borrowman, veterinary surgeon from Idaho, USA and Kevin Tlucek of Snake River Dairies, Idaho will bring expertise and insight from overseas. 

The final conference session will bring all delegates together for presentations on climate change from Prof Myles Allen of Oxford University and breeding and genetics by Prof Jude Capper. Jude will discuss the gains made since the pioneering work of Sir John   Hammond, how far they have brought us in terms of improving sustainability and what challenges and opportunities we face in the future.

Those wanting to ruminate and discuss further can later enjoy an evening panel session on the future of cattle breeding which promises lively and informal discussion with a panel of experts, chaired by BCBC president Prof Mike Coffey.

“We are all operating in a volatile and uncertain marketplace at present, but we as a Club feel that it is so important to continue to learn and engage with industry experts to drive businesses forward,” says Karen. “BCBC ‘A Breath of Fresh Air’ will give you just what you need to kickstart your 2022 and we look forward to welcoming you. 

For further details and to book your place at the BCBC Conference, please visit https://www.cattlebreeders.org.uk/conference/