Dairy farming moves fast. The best way to stay as productive and profitable as possible is to stay on top of new technologies, new products and new ways of thinking.
As a dairy farmer, you work incredibly hard to run a successful and profitable business. Yet in an industry that is often gruelling, there’s sometimes barely time to pause for breath; to look up and see what’s happening in the rest of the sector.
Attending one or two key events each year gives you a vital chance to future-proof your business. You will be exposed to new products, new technologies and new ways of thinking. All of which helps to make sure your skills and expertise are congruent with what’s happening in the industry.
It’s also an opportunity to take a breather from the rigours of the farm and rub shoulders with people who help to make the dairy farming community one of the strongest in UK industry. You never know who you might meet, you never know what you might learn. Here are eight key events taking place across 2019/2020.
1. UK DAIRY DAY
11th September 2019
Telford, Shropshire | The International Centre
It’s free, informative and fun. UK Dairy Day encompasses a series of seminars and product demonstrations as well as more than 300 trade stalls. There are few finer opportunities to seek advice from UK dairy farming experts ahead of the winter season.
www.ukdairyday.co.uk
2. REARINGTOGO CONFERENCE
13th September 2019
Shrewsbury | Halls Livestock Auction Centre
Agriculture is one of the pillars of UK industry. Yet working in farming is challenging and can sometimes feel a little isolating. The RearingToGo conference is designed to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing in the agricultural community. It features a seminar that will give you strategies for beating stress and optimising your mental wellbeing. There’s also a livestock auction with all profits going to charities that are helping to support mental health in agriculture. We’re really proud to be involved with this event, we hope you will support in any way you can as well.
www.eventbrite.ie/e/rearingtogo
3. NATIONAL PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS
17th – 19th September 2019
Ballintrane, Fenagh, Co. Carlow
Now in its 88th year, the National Ploughing Championships is as much a celebration of Irish agriculture as it is an opportunity to take in the best of Irish food and farming. With a whopping 240,000 guests from across the UK and beyond, 1,700 exhibitors and two million feet of trade space, it’s one of the biggest and most exciting events in the dairy farming calendar. This event is one with a great history within our industry and a powerful reminder that as a farmer you are part of something far bigger than your own business. Whether you visit for business or pleasure, it’s not one to be missed.
www.npa.ie
4. BATH & WEST DAIRY SHOW
2nd October 2019
Bath | The Bath & West Showground
The largest farming event in the South West. More importantly it’s your opportunity to meet everyone from milk buyers and feed suppliers to AI companies and nutritional consultants. Expect demonstrations of cutting-edge dairy farming technology, topical seminars and over 300 trade stands.
www.bathandwest.com/the-dairy-show
5. WELSH DAIRY SHOW
29th October 2019
Carmarthen, Wales | United Counties Showground
Celebrating its 30th year, the Welsh Dairy Show exhibits top class dairy stock from across the country while promoting all aspects of the Welsh dairy industry. That includes providing dairy farmers with the opportunity to showcase their finest products. Tickets are available on the gate and under 15s can enter for free.
www.unitedcounties.org/events/welsh-dairy-show
6. AGRISCOT
20th November 2019
Islington, Edinburgh | Royal Highland Centre
Billed as the UK’s number one farm business event, AgriScot is the place to visit to take in the latest products, services and advice covering every aspect of agriculture. It’s also a free event, which makes it a near-unmissable opportunity to gather commercial and technical advice to help grow your business. Observe the latest developments in farm hardware and technology, visit illuminating business seminars and take a peek at what’s on offer across hundreds of trade stands. There really is something for every type of farmer.
agriscot.co.uk
7. AHDA 35th ANNUAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
15th-16th January 2020
Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel
The AHDA Conference is an annual event that blends workshops with thought-provoking seminars from agricultural experts. It’s also a great place for any SQPs to top up their points and hear about the latest research within the company. The event concludes with a gala dinner that is the perfect chance to wind down, celebrate your achievements and network.
www.ahda.co.uk
8. DAIRY-TECH
5th February 2020
Coventry | Stoneleigh Park
It’s always a good idea to keep one eye on the future. And one of the best places to do so is at Dairy-Tech: an event devoted to showcasing the latest ground-breaking technologies, tools and services that are transforming the industry. You will also have the opportunity to see expert international speakers discussing innovative strategies to overcome common dairy farming challenges.
https://dairy-tech.uk/
SAY HELLO…
Keen to attend one or two of the events above?
Remember to look out for the Volac stand where we will be showcasing how a high quality, whey-based milk replacer helps to support good calf health, growth and development. At the events, we will be offering a range of product demonstrations and advice, including milk replacer mixing demonstrations as well as promoting the importance of cleanliness when it comes to your feeding equipment and utensils.
See you there? We hope so!
Published on: 09 September 2019
View all articles