AgriScot, the farm business event, is a must-attend for forward-thinking farmers – I believe there is no other event with such a solid business emphasis.
We celebrated 15 years of AgriScot in 2016, and year-on-year the feedback from trade standholders is that they are delighted with the fact that farmers attend the event to talk business and, importantly, to do business.
The second aspect, which sets AgriScot apart is our emphasis on the future.
The whole event is geared up to showcase new products, new ideas and new thinking.
We aim for visitors to leave having gleaned, learned or purchased something that will bring about future improvements to their farming business.
Every square metre of indoor space in the Royal Highland Centre exhibition halls is set to be packed out on Wednesday, with almost 250 trade stands in attendance. New machinery launches from big names such as John Deere and Pottinger are sure to be big attractions, and for the first time, we will have a pick-up truck manufacturer, Isuzu, exhibiting.
Our 2017 event will see an increased programme of livestock workshops – the Moredun Foundation will return to host an animal health focused workshop, and new for 2017 will be a workshop examining how the lamb supply chain – from farm to retail – can be made more efficient.
AgriScot will also, once again host a packed programme of business seminars, with the NFU Scotland and cabinet secretary state-of-the-nation debate making a welcome return.
New for this year is a seminar looking at forestry, and its interaction with the farming sector, hosted by Davidson & Robertson.
The AgriScot farm of the year awards, for dairy farm, beef farm and sheep farm will be presented on the day along with the, new for 2017, Scottish Arable Farm of the Year award.
While AgriScot is designed to cater for all sectors of agriculture, and each year attracts 11,000 farming professionals from across sectors, there is still a strong dairy presence, with some of the best cows in Britain judged on the day for top awards including the coveted Super Cow title.
The 2017 beef cattle demonstration will focus on accurate weighing and weight monitoring to optimise performance.
Thanks to the continued support of trade stands and sponsors, AgriScot is free to enter and has free parking, however all visitors must register. Registration can be done in advance online at agriscot.co.uk.
Andrew Moir farms at Mains of Thornton, Laurencekirk. He is chairman of AgriScot