Press Release (26 October 2007)

AgriScot  -  Focussing On Business

Although AgriScot’s organisers have taken the decision this year not to have competitive cattle classes in the light of restrictions on animal movements, the event will be making even more effort to focus on its business credentials.

Now widely regarded as one of the premier events in UK agriculture, AgriScot has developed its appeal to all sectors of the farming industry…both to the trade and to a wide cross section of farmers eager to seek out the latest products, services, advice and information necessary for their farming businesses.

2007 will be no exception and all three halls at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston will be packed to capacity on November 14.

The main trade stand area will be in the Highland Hall which will also feature virtual stock judging and a major presence by event sponsor Bank of Scotland Corporate; machinery and equipment will be displayed in the Lowland Hall and in the Central Hall, which would normally house the cattle entries, there will be a series of technical demonstrations on feed mixing and the utilisation of farm-grown feed.

Robin Young, Chairman of the AgriScot Management Committee, said:  “It is regrettable that we won’t have the country’s top dairy cattle present but we took our decision early to avoid any uncertainty about the event going ahead.

“We are now working on plans to attract visitors from all sectors of the industry. There’s a wind of change in farming with the cereal and dairy sectors experiencing an improvement in returns. The livestock sector -  especially sheep -  has been badly affected by the FMD restrictions and of course, there’s the added concern of increased feed costs.

“Those seeking answers to the myriad of questions on their own circumstances will find them at AgriScot where the best commercial and technical advice will be on offer.

“For the agricultural trade, we provide a major platform where exhibitors can meet with many existing and potential customers in an environment designed for business.

“We are privileged once again to have the support of our major sponsor Bank of Scotland Corporate. The Bank’s long-running association with AgriScot has allowed us to grow the event into one of the most important on the farming calendar and I know John Taylor, the Bank’s Director of Agriculture (Scotland) and his team, look forward to welcoming their many farming customers and others from the industry.”

Last year, the UK farm machinery industry was left without a major winter show. AgriScot stepped in with a dedicated Machinery Hall featuring all the up-to-date developments in farm hardware and technology… from the latest tractors to equipment for both the arable and the livestock farm. This year’s exhibition is even bigger and better – the country’s largest winter display of machinery and equipment.

With the recent changes in fortune for cereal growers and milk producers, many companies exhibiting are looking forward to record breaking business.

Certainly that’s true of the dairy sector where manufacturers of milking parlours, cubicle housing and feed processing equipment have already received firm enquiries with appointments being made to meet at the event.

Over the last ten years or so the financial plight of the milk producing sector has witnessed very little investment by dairy farmers. But with increases in the price per litre, many are now looking to re-invest.

One leading supplier commented that much has changed in the last ten years -  cows are much larger, yields are higher, recording gives more vital management information and there’s greater understanding of diet. A new high tech parlour, comfortable cubicles and good feed could make an appreciable difference to performance and profitability.

There may be no live cattle at AgriScot but those who have an eye for selecting the best in a line-up of livestock will have an opportunity to put their skills to the test in this year’s Virtual Judging Competition for dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep.

With a star prize of £1000 and £500 to the runner up, the competition is expected to attract 5000 entrants, including many young farmers. The competition is based on three classes of eight cattle – all previous AgriScot champions – one class of Charolais bulls and one class of Suffolk rams, all show champions or top price animals selected by media partner The Scottish Farmer. 

Within the dairy classes there will be a “Peoples Champion” with competitors selecting what they consider to be the Champion of Champions over the years at AgriScot.

With feed costs rising, this new feature will include equipment manufacturers and other suppliers demonstrating how to make the most of farm-grown feed. The demo will promote short term solutions to what’s available on the farm this winter and help with the decisions that need to be made now for next winter’s feed supplies, including advice on silage and crops for spring planting.

Occupying the Central Hall,  the day’s activities will include live demonstrations on grain processing and feed mixing.

A popular feature at AgriScot is the informative seminars run in conjunction with NFU Scotland giving visitors the opportunity to get the views of the experts on the topics of the day.  Star billing this year goes to Scottish Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead and NFUS President Jim McLaren who will discuss and debate the main issues for Scottish agriculture, including the food supply chain.

The Scottish Farmer will once again be sponsoring the new product competition. Last year’s winner, the new urea testing and reporting service from CIS has now been fully utilised throughout the UK giving dairy herd owners, but more especially their feed advisors, much more reliable information on the herd’s nutritional well-being.

Harbro’s Willie Thomson commented: “It is in our interest that we ensure that a dairy herd is receiving and making use of the best nutrition available and having access to CIS’s monthly urea reporting makes our job easier but more importantly, allows our customers to get the very best out of their cattle.”

The CIS service neatly encapsulates what AgriScot is all about – assisting farmers in all sectors to improve their business and with a record number of trade stands at this year’s event, every visitor will find something of interest to benefit their own farming operation.