PRINCIPAL SPONSORS ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 EVENT

All roads lead to Dalswinton Estate for Scotland’s Beef Event, hosted by the Scottish Beef Association at the Dumfriesshire estate on Tuesday, 6 June, supported by principal sponsors NFU Mutual and Virgin Money.

Providing an opportunity for the beef industry to get together and discuss the issues of the day, namely the combination of climate change and biodiversity loss coming at the same time as Brexit and the repositioning of farm subsidy, there could not be a more opportune time to discuss the challenges facing the beef industry in Scotland.

In response to the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss, the 2023 Scotland’s Beef Event will focus on four key themes which include:

• Impact of technical efficiency on the carbon footprint of the suckler herd
• Carbon mitigation in practise
• Efficient land use management and boosting biodiversity
• Natural capital and carbon farming

In doing so, there will be a number of seminars covering Agricultural Support Beyond 2023, Sustainable Farming Theory, and Sustainable Farming in Practise, as well as demonstrations covering crops and grassland, and ever-popular farm tours giving an insight into the operations at Dalswinton Estate.

Chairman of Scotland’s Beef Event and Director of the Scottish Beef Association, Scott Henderson, commented: “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank NFU Mutual and Virgin Money for being principal sponsors and getting behind what is set to be a fantastic event.

“After an absence of four years and being postponed from 2021, we are looking forward to welcoming members of the beef industry to Dalswinton Estate in the heart of a very active livestock region to discuss and share ideas.”

The organisers of Scotland’s Beef Event are indebted to the backing received from sponsors, including principal sponsors NFU Mutual and Virgin Money, both of which have pledged their support.

NFU Mutual Scotland Regional Manager, Mark McBrearty, said: “We are delighted to be a key sponsor at Scotland’s Beef Event this year alongside our Dumfries and Stewartry Agency.

“Rural communities are the heart of our organisation, and we look forward to being face to face with farmers in a few months’ time while showing our support for Scotland’s beef sector.”

Brian Richardson, Head of Agriculture at Virgin Money, commented: “The Virgin Money Agricultural Team is delighted to be supporting this year’s Scottish Beef Event at Dalswinton Estate as a main sponsor. There is a lot of change happening in farming and the event is timely in providing a focus for the Beef Sector to get information on those changes and hear from experts across the sector.

“We are sponsoring the seminar programme at the event titled ‘Thought Leadership’ and this will provide a great chance for those attending to get information and hear what is going on in the Beef Sector.”

Nestled in the heart of the Nith Valley, seven miles north of Dumfries, Dalswinton is one of Scotland’s leading commercial beef farms, extending to 5000 acres which is home to a 550-strong herd of Aberdeen-Angus and Shorthorn cross suckler cows. Charolais sires produce calves for the forward store and finished markets, while Angus and Shorthorn bulls breed replacement females.

There are a number of diversification enterprises ranging from windmills to a wedding venue, along with residential and commercial property, holiday, fishing and shooting lets and a whisky bottling unit.

Peter Landale, Dalswinton Estate owner, commented: “Agriculture and particularly beef farming is coming under increasing scrutiny. We see this as a real opportunity to bring the beef industry together and create a day where farmers can discuss the future, share ideas and see the Dalswinton suckler herd on the ground.

“Dalswinton Estate is delighted to be hosting the Scottish Beef Event 2023 and everyone on the estate is currently busy preparing the farm to welcome as many farmers to the event as possible. We very much look forward to seeing you on the 6 June.”

Further to the seminars, demonstrations and farm tours, attendees of Scotland’s Beef Event will have more than 100 trade stands to peruse, including breed societies, feed merchants, machinery dealerships and trade innovators.