Cattle Breeders Conference 2012
Since its inception, the British Cattle Breeders Club has tackled some of the great issues of the day and the January 2012 conference will be no different with the issue of sustainability taking centre stage. Agriculture is rising to the challenge of climate change and of food security in a world of massive population growth.
The Club is using the opportunity to bring together a range of high calibre speakers from whom we can learn about tackling these issues in relation to cattle breeding, both internationally and domestically. We are bringing together a cross section of researchers and proactive farmers who are taking the lead through their research or through their approach to farming.We aim to ensure that everyone leaves the conference with a clearer understanding of the magnitude of the challenge we face and a better understanding of the tools available to help us address it. I look forward to welcoming you there!
Duncan Sinclair, Chairman
Student Essay Competition
Win a free conference place in the Club's Student Essay Competition - a total of £300 prize money, 4 free conference places and 4 overnight stays to be won!
For the second year in a row BCBC is running a student essay competition in conjunction with EBLEX and DairyCo.
There are two categories:
Best Beef Student Essay and
Best Dairy Student Essay.
All agricultural students are eligible, whether in full or part time education.
The essay title is Delivering Sustainable Food Production - what are the Opportunities for Cattle Breeding?.
The closing date for entries is 16th December so get writing!
Download the Student Essay Competition leaflet for full details.
2012 Conference - dates & venue
The 2012 conference will be the 67th British Cattle Conference and will take place from 23rd to 25th January.
After the success of last year's conference, the Club is returning to the Telford Golf and Spa Hotel, Telford, Shropshire, with its excellent conference facilities and 114 comfortable bedrooms.
Latest: The conference programme and delegate booking forms are now available - see 2012 Conference.
The BCBC
The British Cattle Breeders Club provides a forum for exchange between scientists and breeders of beef and dairy cattle.
At the annual British Cattle Conference papers are presented by leading scientists, breeders, industry specialists and veterinarians.
The conference is a truly international occasion, providing a unique opportunity to meet other breeders and scientists in a warm and friendly environment.
2011 British Cattle Conference
The 2011 British Cattle Conference confronted the difficult choices ahead
The choices confronting the cattle breeder were well aired at the 2011 Club Conference, where Lucy Andrews from Holstein UK was the youngest chairman to preside over the event in its history and the first woman to take on this role for 50 years.
As always, this January event set the tone for the forthcoming year, sparking debate amongst cattle breeders and those who support the industry over how they would meet the many challenges ahead. With proponents of both natives and continentals each making a compelling case in favour of their particular breed; industry experts outlining the economic, social and environmental constraints which must influence future farming decisions; and cutting-edge geneticists propounding the merits of the latest breeding technologies, there was plenty to fuel contemplation and discussion.
The youthful theme originating from the chairman was also in evidence amongst delegates with a strong student contingent present amongst the 260 delegates attending. All were treated to a thought-provoking and engaging range of speakers from stockbreeders in touch with the grass roots of farming to world-leading scientists, captains of the farming industry and top civil servants at the heart of British government, who shape the laws with which British farmers must comply.
All delegates in attendance enjoyed the chance to challenge, spar and engage with the heart of the cattle breeding world.
Reports of individual speakers' papers will appear in the Club's newsletter and the next event (23-25 January, 2012) comes highly recommended as a springboard from which to confront the farming year ahead.