Key Industry Issues to be tackled at NBA’s Beef Expo Seminars

TB, B.V.D. and organic production topics at Beef Expo Seminars

NBA Beef Expo will take place at The Agricultural Business Centre, home of Bakewell Mart on Friday 20th May.  Alongside a spectacular display of livestock and demonstrations, NBA will be hosting a range of seminars held by various industry professionals.
Kicking off the morning will be an hour long seminar on TB issues with Defra vets, titled ‘UK Government Strategy to Eradicate TB in England’.  Chaired by Bill Harper, Chairman of the NBA TB Committee, the audience will be advised by speakers including Malla Hovi, Head of Veterinary Advice to the Defra TB programme, and Susanne Frost, Veterinary Advisor for epidemiology for the Midlands region of England   Attendees will also have the opportunity for a question and answer session at the end.
Following, is a seminar on BVD Chaired by Chris Mallon, NBA Director, with Derbyshire vet, James Russell.  James, a director at McMurtry and Harding, will update delegates on the national BVD free strategy for England of which he sits on the expert group.
With a growing focus on health and welfare, and an expanding market in both supermarkets and independent markets, demand for organic production is somewhat snowballing.  This year Beef Expo will include the first ever organic focus area, as well as a new seminar from the Soil Association on opportunities for organic beef farmers. 
The Soil Association is the UK’s largest organic certification body and is presenting the benefits of going organic to attendees at the show.  Speakers include Tim Bevan (Farm Business Advisor, Soil Association), Philip Douthwaite (Townsend Farm, South Warwickshire), Andrew Sebire (Lower Hurst Farm, Derbyshire), Tim Leigh and Peter Jones (Organic Livestock Marketing Cooperative).

NBA Beef Expo 2016 - Seminar Timetable
10.15 – 11.15        “Thinking of going organic?”
Welcome and Introduction - Tim Bevan, Farm Business Advisor, Soil Association
Practicalities of organic beef production – myths and realities - Philip Douthwaite, Townsend Farm
Organic Beef Market Case Study - Andrew Sebire, Lower Hurst Farm
Procurement and marketing opportunities - Tim Leigh and Peter Jones (Organic Livestock Marketing Cooperative)
11.30 – 12.30        “UK Government Strategy to Eradicate TB in England’ 
Chairman -     Bill Harper, Chairman of the NBA TB Committee
Speakers -     Malla Hovi, Head of Veterinary Advice to the Defra TB programme
Susanne Frost, Veterinary Advisor for epidemiology for the Midlands region of England
13.15 – 14.15        “National BVD free Strategy for England” 
Chairman -     Chris Mallon, NBA Director
Speakers -     James Russell, Director, McMurtry and Harding, Derbyshire Vets & sits on the expert group of the national BVD free strategy for England
14.30 - 15.30        “Thinking of going organic?”
Repeat of morning seminar   

Bringing together the very best British pedigree and commercial cattle, NBA Beef Expo 2016 will showcase the evolving industry, advances in technology and focus on how producers can modernise production to meet ever changing consumer demands.
More information on NBA Beef Expo 2016 can be found at www.nationalbeefassociation.com/beef-expo/.