At this year's conference we will be joined by a range of speakers including farmers, researchers and industry specialists to provide expertise from across the red meat supply chain.
Throughout the day the event will focus on sustainable livestock production, as well as looking at the future of farming.
Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss the latest thinking with experts from across the red meat supply chain.
To find out more and to book your space, contact the NFU North West Regional Office on 01695 554900 or email [email protected]
Everyone is welcome to attend, but for catering purposes booking is essential. Please also advise on any dietary requirements.
Timings of the day
10-10.25 |
NFU Deputy President Tom Bradshaw |
10:25-10:50 |
Tim Farron - MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale |
10:50-12:10 |
Demonstrating sustainability within the supply chain: Alice Liddle: Agriculture Specialist, Morrisons Carrie McDermid, Head of Marketing AHDB Andrew Loftus NFU Chair: NFU North West Livestock Board Chairman John Longmire |
12:10-13:10 | Lunch |
13:10-13:20 |
Introduction to afternoon session Colin Bateman AHDB Beef and Lamb Sector Chairman |
13:20-14:30 |
Science and solutions James McCaughern, Lecturer in Beef Systems, Harper Adams University Phil Bicknell, Head of Business Development, CIEL |
14:30-15:50 |
Looking to the future: How they are developing a sustainable future Richard Findlay, NFU Livestock Board Chairman Helen Dent, Independent Consultant Mark Stott of Farm Gate Vets Richard Carruthers, AHDBN Strategic Farmer Paul Coates, Morrisons supplier Chair: Sam Charlton AHDB |
15:50-16:00 |
Summary and close: Colin Bateman AHDB Beef and Lamb Sector Chairman |
Meet the speakers
Tom Bradshaw
NFU President
The home farm is based around arable production but has also diversified into equestrian and renewables.
Tom has represented the NFU from Local Branch Chairman through to Chair of the National Combinable Crops Board.
Tom was elected to the position of NFU President in February 2024.
Responsibilities
- Animal health and welfare incl. bTB
- Trade and standards
- Climate, energy and net zero
- Food supply chain (fair dealing, mergers and acquisitions, competition, regulation)
- Animal ID and movements
- Assurance review
- Taxation and fiscal policy
- Immigration
Alice Liddle
Morrisons Agriculture Specialist
After a brief spell with Cranswick Country Foods, Alice moved back into Morrisons in December 2022 to work as the Agriculture Specialist for the whole Morrisons business. When not at work, Alice is a Council Member for the Yorkshire Agriculture Society, Vice Chair of the Masham Sheep Breeders Association and a fourth generation livestock farmer, through Liddle Lambs.
Dr James McCaughern
Beef Production systems lecturer | Harper Adams University
His research interests involve dairy and beef cattle, with a focus on feed efficiency, protein, and trace element nutrition. During the February conference, James will discuss the potential implications of sustainability for United Kingdom livestock farmers.
Mark Stott
Mixed practitioner at Highgate Veterinary Clinic
Mark enjoys all aspects of farm animal practice but has a speciality in cow and bull fertility having obtained a Diploma in Bovine Reproduction from Liverpool University in 2001.
Richard has 900 ewes with a further 200 ewe lambs that are off farm nearly 12 months as a ewe replacement policy, and a 40 suckler cow herd with 30 to 40 bought in growing stores, along with a small livery system for 14 horses.
The farm is an 162ha upland unit with 84ha of this being improved land.
Phil Bicknell
Head of Business Development, CIEL
Phil was also chief economist at the National Farmers’ Union, spearheading the evidence to support a range of lobbying activity. Phil’s other roles include specialising in agri-trade issues at the US Department of Agriculture and advising a range of agribusiness clients with Bidwells.
CIEL
CIEL is a world-leading farm animal research alliance, helping to bring new technologies and processes to livestock food production within the UK and worldwide.
It provides leadership, support and a platform for a world class hub of collaborative expertise, tackling the issues that no one part of the livestock food production sector can address alone.
Acting as the broker for one of the world’s largest livestock science hubs, CIEL work with leading researchers and industry partners across the supply chain to identify challenges, potential solutions and routes to research and development (R&D) funding.
Working with their members, CIEL deliver and support a range of grant applications across the livestock sector, securing funding from a variety of sources for projects.
Colin Bateman
AHDB sector chair for beef and lamb
The farm is a mix of Heather hill and improved pasture, running 1,300 composite maternal sheep and a 40 head herd of Angus and Hereford cross cows.
There is also an integrated dairy beef system on the farm together with glamping pods and a photography business.
Andrew Loftus
NFU Livestock Board North chair
Formerly Agriculture Manager for Morrisons PLC, Andrew sits on the National Livestock Board of the NFU, the Yorkshire Committee of the CLA and chairs the Beef & Lamb Net Zero Roadmap Group (supported by AHDB).
Richard Findlay
NFU Livestock Board chair (2018-2024)
He has 2000 acres of moorland in a HLS agreement and the farm is stocked with mainly Easycare ewes as well as pedigree flocks of Beltex and Suffolks.
He is director of the “7 Hill Farmers Ltd” producer group and has been NFU Livestock Board chair since March 2018.
Tim Farron MP
MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale
Tim lives in Milnthorpe, south Cumbria with his wife Rosie, and their four children.