Seminars announced for Beef Expo 2008

The seminars, to be held on 21 May at Perth Agricultural Centre, will focus on sustainable systems of beef production, animal wealth and achieving positive margins. The event will then finish with a 'Question Time' discussion panel featuring leading figures representing all sectors of the industry. Randall Wilson, Perthshire beef farmer, commented on how the event will benefit visitors: "The whole focus of the day will be on helping beef farmers achieve profitable and sustainable beef enterprises on their own farms." The event will open to the public from 9.00am with the official opening by Richard Lochhead, cabinet secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, taking place at 11.00am. This will then be followed by a presentation on 'Sustainable Systems' by Kim Marie Haywood, director of National Beef Association. A speaker from DEFRA will also be giving a 'British Export Update' while Livestock Technology Solutions will be giving a presentation on their stand, addressed by their managing director, John Sinnet on 'LTS – Providing a Future for Farming'. Other key speakers include Iain Riddell, manager of SAC Select Services, Wigtownshire beef producer Robert Parker, David Leggat, executive chairman of United Auctions Ltd, and Dr Temple Grandin of Colorado State University, USA. And other features of the event will include 100 trade stands and educational exhibits, with 22 beef breed displays featuring more than 300 cattle, commercial demonstration of breeding females on the theme 'Breeding Cattle for a Sustainable System', and technical demonstrations on the value of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs). Beef Expo is organised by the National Beef Association with Lloyds TSB Agriculture as the major sponsor. Other supporters include McDonalds Restaurants, Quality Meat Scotland and Livestock Technology Solutions. Weblink: www.beefexpo.co.uk