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)
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 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
Presentation (PDF) Prof Graham Plastow
Presentation (YouTube) Prof Graham Plastow
Tom Hind, Group Agriculture Director, Tesco Stores Plc
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)
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)
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)
Presentation (PDF) Conall Donnelly
Presentation (YouTube) Conall Donnelly
Conall Donnelly, Economist, Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC)
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)
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)
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 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 028 9025 5326.
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