Chris Walkland the respected dairy sector, market analyst, commentator and journalist, will be polishing his crystal ball at AgriScot next week as he sets out his views on the prospects for milk.
“The dairy sector has had a tumultuous few years, and, whilst markets have been and are a lot more positive, it is fair to say that there’s some turbulence ahead. The market has turned now and farmers need to be aware of the rapidly changing dynamics and prospects.”
Although what lies ahead is hard to predict Chris will be taking the best available market data he can get to try and give pointers on how the milk price might settle out over the next six months. He’ll also take a look at some big picture issues.
“How is Brexit likely to affect the sector? What are the potential implications of trade deals with non-EU countries? How will our trading relationship with the Republic of Ireland, traditionally a big exporter of dairy produce to the UK be affected? These are some of the questions that I will look to examine and project some possible answers for,” states Chris Walkland. Whilst I may not have a real crystal ball packed for AgriScot, I do hope that my in-depth analysis of current markets can form the basis of some answers as to what the future may hold.”
Chris will team up with Kite Consulting’s Scottish based consultant David Keiley. David, who has extensive experience in providing technical and business consultancy to dairy businesses, will look at some of the prevailing technical and practical issues being seen on farm.
The seminar, which forms part of an extensive programme of business seminars scheduled for AgriScot on 15thNovember, will then focus on what farmers might think about and do to maximise opportunities and mitigate challenges.
Also on the programme at AgriScot is a Question Time event for dairy farmer where some of the biggest names in the dairy sector will be answering farmers’ questions at a debate organised by the Scottish Dairy Hub.
Event Chair Ken Rundle will be joined by First Milk CEO Shelagh Hancock, NFUS Vice President Gary Mitchell, AHDB Dairy Chair Gwyn Jones and by Chris Walkland.
Dairying will also, once again, be the focus of much of the attention in the NWF Agriculture Main Ring at AgriScot, when an increased entry of some of the best cattle from throughout the British Isles will step up to for judging.
The man tasked with picking the best from the best in the dairy cattle classes at next week’s event is Peter Prior, a well-known face in the Holstein cattle world, who has also judged at shows throughout Britain and Ireland, including Jersey classes at the Royal Highland Show in 2016.
The AgriScot dairy cattle judging will, be available to view live on the internet via agriscot.co.uk
