The programme for the 2018 British Cattle Breeders’ Conference (BCBC) has recently been unveiled. Farming and Genetics – lets inspire the next generation is the theme chosen by the current BCBC chairman Andy Dodd with the focus being on practical cattle breeding. The 2018 conference will celebrate the club’s 70th Anniversary, and will be held once again at the Telford Hotel and Golf Resort, Shropshire from 22nd-24th January.

An exciting line up of speakers has been chosen including BLCS Technical Manager Alison Glasgow. Her presentation ‘Genomics in Beef – Adding Value in the Supply Chain’ will demonstrate how, in meeting the 10-year plan for breed improvement, the Society and its members are fully engaged in a range of R&D initiatives. The audience will hear how genomic breeding values for Limousin cattle are being introduced for carcase traits, female fertility and calf survival traits and the wider plans relating to feed intake, animal health and meat quality.

BLCS Chief Executive Iain Kerr said “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase these ‘firsts’ for the UK beef industry to a wide range of delegates. The Society takes every opportunity to demonstrate that the value they can add to the supply chain is tangible and real. Alison’s presentation will outline progress made, some findings along the way and the beef industry’s opportunity to add significant value by exploiting genetic resources at an increased level”

Speaking of her invitation onto the conference programme Alison says “I am delighted to have been asked to speak at the upcoming British Cattle Breeders Conference in January 2018.  Limousin is the only beef breed delivering genomic breeding values that enable UK producers to trap additional value from their cattle and this programme is designed to highlight such leading edge technology”

Full details of the conference can be found here.