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07/12/07
After a year of adverse weather conditions, bio-security scares
and rising milk prices, UK dairy farmers will welcome foresight
on how global trends are likely to play out in the year ahead.
Chairing the proceedings is Trevor Lloyd, a dairy farmer and Milk
Council member who spoke at last year’s conference.
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Fronting these issues at the Semex Dairy Conference 2008 will
be key speakers such as NFU National Dairy Board Chairman Gwyn
Jones and Dr David Dobbin, Chief Executive of United Dairy Farmers – well-placed
to examine the economics of supply and demand in a global context.
A strong line-up of influential industry speakers and dairy farmers
will be stepping up to air their views and share their knowledge
at the conference, this year themed ‘The Big Picture.’ As
always the main focus will be on exploring new and innovative ways
in which progressive dairy farmers can grow their businesses. Providing
a retailer’s perspective is Duncan Sinclair, Agriculture
Manager for Waitrose, who’ll be discussing how to create
sustainable supplier relationships, and the importance of animal
welfare within this. David Potts, Group Commercial Director at
Dairy Farmers of Britain, will be advising on how the group has
augmented their product portfolio whilst remaining true to traditional
farming methods.
The two-day conference, which will take place from Sunday 13th
January to Tuesday 15th January 2008 at Glasgow’s Grosvenor
Hilton Hotel, is the venue for the UK premiere showing of Dr Gordon
Atkins’ fascinating 3-D presentation ‘Building the
Functional Cow.’ Dr Atkins, a highly innovative vet from
Calgary, Canada is a widely renowned speaker whose judging and
speaking assignments have taken him across the globe.
Chairing the proceedings is Trevor Lloyd, a dairy farmer and Milk
Council member who spoke at last year’s conference. “These
are potentially exciting times for dairy farmers,” commented
Trevor, “and now more than ever it’s time to focus
on creating a sustainable future for the industry. If producers
felt far-removed from talk of globalisation a year ago, they’ll
certainly have felt it this year. New opportunities in the form
of developing markets, offset with challenges in the form of rising
feed costs and bio-security threats have all made their mark, and
farmers will be keen to gain insight into what opportunities and
threats these global trends potentially present.”
As always the conference will have a number of successful dairy
producers sharing best practice knowledge with attending farmers.
Adding an international dimension is Ben Loewith from Canada, who
has driven efficiency within his large herd by embracing innovative
technology and management. Derek Mead, who recently opened a multi-million
pound farm attraction near Weston-super-Mare, will be speaking
on the benefits and challenges of educating people about food and
farming and promoting locally produced goods. Other farming voices
include Paul Miller, a young pedigree farmer from Worcestershire,
Philip Metcalfe, a commercial producer based in Wensleydale, Yorkshire
and Dave Clarke, owner of Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Company.
Peter Arthur of Semex UK said, “We’re delighted to
confirm a strong line-up of speakers from across the globe for
our 2008 Conference, and look forward to beginning the New Year
with plenty of stimulating debate and discussion! Anyone interested
in further details and booking information should contact Helen
Miller on 01292 671525.”
Also speaking at the conference is Lucy Andrews, Research and Development
Executive for Holstein UK, who’ll be providing an insight
into new developments in the UK proofing system and Glynn Lucas,
a Pedigree and Sales Auctioneer with Harrison & Hetherington,
who’ll be discussing the global demand for UK animals. Other
highlights include the Holstein UK President’s Medal Award
Ceremony, sponsored by Semex, which recognises the ‘Dairy
Industry Young Achiever of the Year.’
 New British Friesian Young Sire at Cogent
NFU/NFUS Dairy Contract Looks For Greater Fairness
The
25th Northern Expo Holstein Show 2007
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