News

With meat and milk production under growing scrutiny, the first session of the BCBC Conference 2023 asked delegates: is it time for change in how the industry responds?

BCBC announced plans for its next conference, held in Telford from 23 to 25 January 2023, themed 'Challenging Traditions' with a programme designed to provoke fresh thinking.

BSAS is delighted to announce Professor Phil Garnsworthy as recipient of the prestigious Sir John Hammond Award 2022, relaunched in 2021 with the British Cattle Breeders Club.

UK dairying has a fantastic opportunity to lead the way and be part of the climate solution, said First Milk's sustainability director Mark Brooking at the BCBC conference.

Increasing global methane emissions are a big driver of climate change, but UK agriculture is no longer contributing, Professor Myles Allen of Oxford told the conference.

Beef farming is part of the solution to climate change, but innovation and change are needed to achieve its potential, said Professor Jonathan Statham of RAFT Solutions.

Climate change is real, it is staring us in the face, said Ballymena beef farmer and vet Billy O'Kane, describing the last seven years as the warmest years on record.

The right breed and management can reduce a beef herd's carbon footprint by 40%, according to Seth Wareing, Business Manager of Stabiliser Cattle Company.

British agriculture has never been more exciting or full of prospects, says incoming chair Amy Hughes, describing an industry filled with passionate, determined people.

Meat imaging technology, soon available in the UK, can help beef producers better understand links between genetics and carcase quality, said Desi Cicale of Meat Imaging USA.

It's important to understand the value of mental health for individuals, families and the wider industry, said former rugby referee and beef farmer Nigel Owens MBE.

AHDB's Maternal Matters campaign looks at improving productivity and profitability in the suckler herd, with difficult calvings having a huge impact on performance.