Whilst AgriScot is renowned for its exhibition halls, hosting over 230 different trade stands covering a wide range of agricultural and rural sectors, the seminar programme is sought after by organisations and visitors alike. Attracting a high caliber of speakers and topics, these short one-hour sessions provide industry insights and updates, as well as new ideas, solutions and networks to support businesses in the future.
And to ensure they are accessible by anyone with an interest, the seminars are live streamed free of charge and made available on watch-back, after AgriScot.
The programem will be hosted across two seminar rooms in the Upper Foyer of the Highland Hall .
Seminar Room 1
10.00am – 11.00am
NFU Scotland head-to-head debate and Q&A seminar
Chaired by AgriScot’s Chairman Gilmour Lawrie, the annual seminar returns, starting at 10am, and will be joined by the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP and NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon.
This important debate will be limited on space and be on a first come basis so be sure to get there early to get your seat, and participate in what promises to be another interesting debate covering many of the biggest issues facing the industry.
11.30am – 12.30pm
Start Planning Now for Changes to Inheritance Tax
Farmers have been grappling in recent years with political uncertainty in the form of land reform and other issues, and the 2024 Autumn Budget brought unwelcome news from a tax perspective. The proposed reforms to inheritance tax from April 2026 mean that there are tax and succession challenges for all scales and sizes of farming businesses. In this session the following will be discussed:
– A summary of the inheritance tax proposals announced in the Autumn 2024 Budget
– Where we are now
– What can be done before the changes come into force in April 2026
The floor will be opened up for a Q&A with the audience.
Session speakers:
Grierson Dunlop, Partner, Land and Property
Richard Douglas-Home, Partner, Tax and Succession
1.00pm – 2.00pm
Dairy Hub – Driving Dairy to a Sustainable and Profitable Future
The Scottish Dairy Hub and Kite Consulting annual seminar at AgriScot will put sustainability and profitability at the centre of the debate.
Agricultural journalist and milk market analyst Chris Walkland will set the scene before three industry leaders outline their visions for a profitable and sustainable future for the dairy sector.
The pannelists are:
Tim Lock – Dairy Sector Chair for Red Tractor
Lyndon Edwards – Chair of the AHDB Dairy Council
Mark Brooking – Chief Impact Officer at First Milk
2.15pm – 3.15pm
Proteins in Perspective: Is this the End of the Road for Soya?
Seminar will explore protein supplies from a variety of perspectives along the supply chain. The world is changing, and political forces are exerting pressure on protein feed materials. How will EU Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), trade tariffs, market volatility and customer specifications affect winter feeding decisions? Industry leaders will address responsible sourcing and discuss potential feed supplies for the future.
George Eddell, UK Head of Feeds, ADM.
Dr Matt Palmer, Technical Manager, Norvite.
Tom Neill, Thornington Farm (ARLA Farmer)
Simon McKeating, Net Zero Programme Leader, Scotland Food & Drink, Food Manufacturing Representative
Each speaker will briefly present the main issues and address solutions to the uncertainty they are facing. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session, so if you are seeking clarity on protein supplies join this seminar to find relevant answers.
3.30pm – 4.30pm
Turning Policy into Practice
Join the panel of experts for a practical discussion on how current agricultural policy, livestock nutrition strategies, and data-driven tools can be applied effectively on-farm. This interactive session will bring together insights from across the sector, with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions and explore what real-world implementation looks like in 2025 and beyond.
Steven Thomson, SRUC
Lorna Shaw, SAC Consulting
Julian Bell and Rachel Ramsey, Agrecalc
Jennifer Struthers, SAC Consulting (MC)
Seminar Room 2
9.00am – 10.00am
Farmstrong Breakfast: Blether Together
Farmstrong Scotland will bring to the session, a ‘Blether Together Live’. These series of events are designed to bring farmers and crofters together in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
Delivered in partnership with SAYFC, the session will feature a Farmstrong chat around what guest speakers do to help them function well and feel good. In addition, they will discuss the positive impacts of being part of SAYFC.
This event will be hosted by Blether Together Live host, Sarah Stephen, who will be speaking with guests:
Catriona Gemmell, member of SAYFC
Jack Young, AgriScot Business Skills Winner 2022 and member of SAYFC
11.00pm – 12.00pm
Scottish Land LiDAR Programme
This session will see Scottish Government introduce the new Scottish Land LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Programme. Announced by the First Minister in February 2025, this programme will deliver the first national LiDAR map for Scotland and work with research institutes in Scotland to deliver mapping and information products to support our environment and climate resilience. LiDAR provides highly accurate, detailed three-dimensional maps of our farmland, peatlands, forests and built environment. By using laser pulses to measure distances, it precisely captures topography, vegetation structure and subtle variations in elevation that affect water flow and soil health.
Professor Mathew Williams, Chief Science Adviser for Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, explains, “This cutting-edge technology will give us unprecedented insights into our land use. For farmers, LiDAR allows for precision agriculture to support profitable and productive businesses, such as pinpointing exactly where in fields rainwater erosion threatens soil. LiDAR can map carbon stores, and where biodiversity thrives in hedgerows, wetlands, and trees outside woodlands – vital for conservation and land management.”
12.15pm – 1.15pm
Grain Market Outlook
The road ahead for Scottish cereals – Market outlook, sustainability and policy.
• Grain Market Outlook, Anthony Speight, AHDB Senior Analyst (Cereals and Oilseeds)
• What sustainability means to Baird’s Malt. Victoria Buxton, Baird’s Malt Sustainability Manager
• NFUS view on the Scottish Agricultural policy and what the future holds. David Michie Senior Food & Farming Policy Manager, NFU Scotland.
• Panel Session. Chaired by Derek Carless, AHDB Head of EA Operations (Cereals and Oilseeds)
1.30pm – 2.30pm
The Future of Scottish Renewables and Electricity Infrastructure Post-Grid Reform (Gate 2)
The move to Net Zero is proving a significant challenge, with impacts for farmers and landowners alike. While the extent of the impact on rural businesses is likely to be extensive for some, there will also be opportunities for businesses to benefit.
In this seminar our team of rural experts will provide an update on the progress to achieve the 2030 plan, transmission and distribution Grid rollout, developments in energy and renewables opportunities, including:
• The pitfalls and opportunities in the “Electrical Revolution” to achieve net zero
• The grid challenge: transmission and distribution and what these mean for farmers and landowners
• The grid reform review: how this affects farmers’ and landowners’ renewable and energy projects, and the impact of Gate 2
• How developments in renewables technology opens up opportunities
2.45pm – 3.45pm
Reducing Antibiotic Use on Farm: Practical Tools and Future Solutions
This panel discussion will explore practical solutions to antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Scottish livestock farming.
The seminar will begin by explaining what AMU and AMR are, and why they matter for animal health and farm businesses. Attendees will learn about the AMU Pilot scheme currently running in Scotland—a partnership between SOAS, ScotEID, Farmvet Systems, and QMS—and how farmers can use data to make informed decisions about antimicrobial use on their farms.
The panel will showcase alternatives to antimicrobials, including emerging research on microbiome management, and discuss the industry’s priority to reduce antimicrobial use. The session is designed to be accessible and practical, with real-life examples and no assumed prior knowledge.
The seminar will include presentations from farming, veterinary, research, and industry perspectives, followed by an open panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Panel speakers:
• Robert Neill, Vice President, NFUS
• Mike Denholm, Clyde Vets
• Nuno Silva, Moredun Research Institute
• Kate Rowell, QMS and farmer
