Arrangements are already well in hand for Scotland’s national beef event which will be held on an Aberdeenshire farm this year.
Scotland’s Beef Event 2019 on Thursday, May 30, 2019, will be hosted by beef farmers, Robbie and Barbara Milne, and their son, James, on their 500-acre all-grass farm of North Bethelnie, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, where, with additional seasonal grazing extending to 664 acres, they run a herd of 320 Salers and Salers cross cows.
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.
“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.
Trade stand bookings can be completed online at www.scottishbeefassociation.co.uk/scotlands-beef-event
Further information, including sponsorship and trade stand application forms, available from the organiser, Natalie Cormack, Dairy Cottage, Tower Road, Ayton, Berwickshire, TD14 5QX. Tel: 07712 623669. E-mail: Natalie.cormack@btconnect.com
