Expo to look to future of Scottish farming

PREPARING Scottish farming for the challenges of the future is at the heart of an expo event coming to Aberdeen later this year.

Agriconnect – parent company of LAMMA Show, CropTec Show and Farmers Guardian – has announced that the Future Farming Expo Scotland will be held over two days on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 10-11 at P&J Live in Aberdeen.

With the fabric of primary agricultural production in Scotland – and elsewhere – being drastically reshaped in recent years, it is now more important than ever to help producers prepare for the future, become more sustainable and manage innovation for change.

Nichola Bell, head of events for Agriconnect, said: “With its proud farming heritage and global importance in food production, Scotland is the perfect place to continue to support farmers in dealing with the serious challenges they face.

“Our aim is to provide attendees with ideas and inspiration for their businesses, as well as a clearer path forward during a challenging time both in Scotland and globally.”

Centred around a series of hubs, debates and with over 100 exhibitors, Future Farming Expo Scotland has been developed after in-depth research with Scottish farming businesses. The Expo will help Scottish farmers, advisors and rural businesses become more resilient, look at ways to re-think their businesses and face challenges head-on.

“This will not be another run-of-the-mill conference where visitors will be talked at,” explained Emma Penny, event producer, Future Farming Expo.

“Instead, it will be dynamic, practical and offer attendees the chance to bring their own issues forward for in-depth, one-to-one discussion with other farmers, exhibitors and experts.”

Claire-Lena Miller-Davis, exhibition sales manager at P&J Live, added: “It’s great to launch a new trade exhibition in Aberdeen that focuses on one of the region’s most prominent sectors, agriculture.

"he organisers are very experienced at delivering successful events throughout the UK including LAMMA which is held in NEC Birmingham. This will be their first Scottish event, and indeed the first large scale dedicated farming event to happen outwith the Scottish central belt.”

The hubs featuring at the expo are: Business and Personal Resilience Hub; Carbon and Soils Hub; Arable Hub; Livestock Hub; Renewables and Energy Hub; Diversification Hub; Horticulture and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA); Robotics.

Visitors to the event will also be able to visit the innovative anaerobic digestion energy centre, which powers, heats and cools P&J Live using food, agricultural and garden waste from around Aberdeen.

For updates about the show, more information and to register for the event, visit www.futurefarmingexpo.com