The Countdown continues to the 2018
Semex Dairy Conference
This unmissable event is at Glasgow’s 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel from 14-16 January 2018
#SmxConf18
Our experts aim to analyse
the major change coming to our industry
Uncertainty swirls around the dairy industry and few know what direction it will take. How do you make sense of all this major change? Attend the 2018 Semex Dairy Conference in Glasgow, that’s how! Running from the 14th to the 16th January at the stylish Radisson Blu Hotel, this prestigious conference is a must-see event. We discuss what might happen to agriculture post Brexit, what might become of farm support, and how the future might pan out on a practical level – such as the labour issue (seemingly the major impact of Brexit on farms right now). Furthermore, we look at the prospects for milk prices going forward, the volatile markets, contract innovations and consumer attitudes to dairy and consumption. There’ll also be tips on hands-on farming, the latest sustainability thoughts, plus a full explanation of how the sector is better promoting itself and its products. As ever it’s a packed conference!
SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY Contact: Leanne Garden 0800 86 88 90 leanne@semex.co.uk
These are all subjects to which our international speakers will provide solutions and priorities, to give you options and opportunities for your enterprise. It’s a pre-eminent event for everyone, full of day-to-day and progressive dairy solutions. It’s famous for a political, economic and technical perspective. And it’s consequently always very well attended. Do join us at our 28th conference for an informative, educational and enjoyable time!
COUNTDOWN
to the Conference elements: Sunday 14 January Check-in and relax. Let the Marcus Ford trio and their talented but unobtrusive vocalist soothe you after travelling. Network with delegates at your leisure and ease yourself into the conference before the speakers begin tomorrow. From 15.00 Registration and hotel check in. 19.30 to 22.30 Hospitality in the Megalithic with the Semex Bier Halle Buffet.
Monday 15 January
Tuesday 16 January
What’s our strategy to markets old and new now with serious change imminent?
The devil in the detail. What will change actually look like?
09.00 Conference welcome by Michael Dennison, National Sales Manager, Semex UK. Introduction by conference chairwoman, Heather Wildman
09.00 Conference review of Monday by chairwoman, Heather Wildman
Session 1
09.10 – 11.15
•
Tom Tynan – European Parliament
•
Gail Soutar – NFU
•
Rob Hutchison – Müller UK & Ireland
•
Q&A
11.15
Morning coffee
Session 2
Professor Wall – UCD
•
Dr Judith Capper – Livestock Sustainability Consultant
•
Q&A Lunch
Session 3
09.15 – 11.00
•
Paul Krueger – Semex USA
•
Dr Judith Bryans – Dairy UK
•
Dan Siemers – Dairy farmer, USA
•
Dr David Black – Paragon
•
Q&A
11.00 Morning rolls & coffee
11.35 – 12.50
•
12.50
Session 4
14.00 – 15.30
Session 5
11.30 – 13.30
•
Hefin Richards – Independant Nutritionist
•
James Evans – Dairy farmer, UK
•
Simon Bugler – Dairy farmer, UK
•
Q&A
Conference closing summaries by Heather Wildman and Michael Dennison
•
Robin Sundaram – Nestlé UK & Ireland
13.30-14.30 Lunch
•
Dominic Brown – Kantar Worldpanel
Conference close
•
Brad Sayles – Semex Alliance
•
Q&A
15.30
Afternoon tea
Evening 18.30 Civic Reception courtesy of City of Glasgow 19.00
Holstein UK President’s Medal Award
19.30
The Burns Supper
Schedule subject to change
CONFERENCE CHAIRWOMAN 2018
Heather Wildman
A more precise sense of your
future pathway
The leading-edge guidance comes from international speakers who’ll help you plan with invaluable detail for tomorrow, amidst the backdrop of industry transformation. In 2018, our first-ever female Chairperson is the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and enabling Heather Wildman. She’ll introduce our cross section of speakers who will act as beacons for industry change, to help you see the way forward and plan the course your enterprise might take.
TOM TYNAN: Member of Cabinet of Commissioner Hogan’s Office, European Commission Appointed to Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Phil Hogan’s Cabinet in October 2014. Within the Cabinet he is responsible for Agricultural Markets, Rural Development, Research & Innovation, Stakeholders, Fisheries/ Marine and Regional Policy. Geographically he is the desk officer for six member states.
GAIL SOUTER: NFU Chief EU Withdrawal and International Trade Adviser Gail is part of a team within the NFU tasked with the development and delivery of the NFU’s strategy throughout the Brexit process and beyond. They are also responsible for developing the NFU’s policy position on international trade, ensuring that the opportunities arising from the UK’s future global trading position are realized and that the interests of British farming are protected..
ROB HUTCHISON: Agriculture Director at Müller UK & Ireland Group Rob is responsible for setting the overall agriculture and milk supply strategy for the UK and Ireland. Rob joined Robert Wiseman Dairies, now Müller UK & Ireland, in 2011 as Regional General Manager for the Southern region, leading both the final commissioning of Bridgwater dairy and the logistics functions.
PROFESSOR PATRICK WALL: Professor of Public Health, UCD Patrick Wall is Associate Professor of Public Health in University College Dublin’s School of Public Health and Population Sciences. His research includes food borne diseases, lifestyle related diseases and health damaging consumer behaviour. He is a co-director of the UCD Centre for Behaviour and Health which is engaged in research on behavioural economics, population health disparities, and policy interventions.
DR JUDITH CAPPER:
Livestock Sustainability Consultant and Dairy Industry Woman of the Year 2017
Judith’s forte is communicating the factors affecting the livestock industry’s sustainability, and her goal is to enhance the knowledge and understanding of food production from the farmer through to the retailer, policy-maker and consumer. As part of that she has an active social media presence and spends much time striving to de-bunk commonly-heard myths relating to animal agriculture!
ROBIN SUNDARAM: Milk Buyer & Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Nestlé UK & Ireland Robin spent his early career working with retailers like M&S and Safeway (overseeing their supplier development programme). He joined Nestlé UK in 1995 and during his time as Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Nestlé have won or been shortlisted for several prestigious industry awards for responsible sourcing.
DOMINIC BROWN: Business Unit Director Dairy, Kantar Worldpanel Dominic is Business Unit Director at Kantar Worldpanel (the largest panel for continuous measurement of shopper and consumer behaviour in the UK). Having worked within both the Consumer Consumption and Shopper Purchase divisions over the last 10 years, he currently leads a specialist Insight team working exclusively with dairy manufacturers.
BRAD SAYLES: Vice President, Product Development and Genetic Solutions, Semex Alliance Brad has a lifetime of dairy industry experience beginning as a Sire Analyst for United Breeders. He now leads Semex’s global Product Development Team. This includes all sire acquisitions, the Progenesis program, Semex’s genetic solutions and Boviteq, as well as Semex’s Embryo Program and Beef Programs.
CONFERENCE CHAIRWOMAN: Heather Wildman, Saviour Associates Ltd Heather Wildman has spent 27 years in varying roles within the agricultural and rural sectors in the UK and overseas, and is one of the dairy industry’s biggest enthusiasts. Having studied for a Nuffield Farming Scholarship in 2012 on ‘Communication, influencing and motivating change’ she now specialises in staff management and motivation, succession, leadership coaching and group facilitation where she uses her passion, enthusiasm and communication skills to influence and motivate change. Heather set up Saviour Associates Ltd in 2014 to offer an independent rural coaching, facilitator and advisory service to help individuals and businesses to identify goals and vision, develop strategic planning and progress in an ever-challenging volatile environment. She is Cumbrian born and bred, and lives in South West Scotland.
PAUL KRUEGER: USA Sales & Global Marketing Director, Semex USA Paul Krueger rejoined Semex in 2009 to take on the challenge of repositioning Semex in the US market. Since then, Paul has transformed Semex to be a client-solutions focused business and the fastest growing AI company in the US. Under Paul’s leadership, the US sales organization has doubled its business and continues to grow year on year.
DR JUDITH BRYANS: Chief Executive, Dairy UK In 2016, Judith was elected President of the International Dairy Federation for four years after serving on the Board for two years. She also chaired the IDF Standing Committee on Nutrition and Health for several years and served on the IDF Science Programme Coordination Committee. At European level, she sits on the Board of the European Dairy Association (EDA) and chairs the EDA Scientific Advisory Board Dairy, Nutrition and Health after chairing the EDA Nutrition Working Group. In the UK, Judith is a Board member of The Dairy Council, Dairy Energy Savings and the Milk Marketing Forum.
DAN SIEMERS: Dairy Farmer, USA At Siemers Holsteins, there is a holistic approach to the dairy operation with owner Dan having developed a data-driven management system “that increases productivity while decreasing his environmental footprint and improving the overall health of his animals”. Over 2,400 pedigree Holstein cows produce about 40 million litres of milk per year, with the team also farming about 5,000 acres to grow food for the cows. To get the most out of every acre and every cow, Dan looks at the farm as a complete system that requires teamwork and continuous improvement.
DR DAVID BLACK: Large Animal Veterinary Surgeon David is a senior farm animal clinician at Paragon Veterinary Group and is recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a Specialist in Bovine Health and Production. David was instrumental in the establishment of XLVets, a nationally distributed group of veterinary practices. He also champions embryo transfer (ET) and is the driving force behind Activf-ET Ltd, developing ground breaking advanced breeding technology for the UK dairy industry.
HEFIN RICHARDS: Independent Nutritionist Hefin is a specialist ruminant nutritionist based near the Shropshire/Wales border. He has worked primarily in the UK, with secondments to New Zealand, South America, and Europe. He has worked across the spectrum of nutrition. He formed his own independent nutrition consultancy business in 1998 to provide a high quality, dedicated “holistic” service to farmer clients without any commercial product constraints.
JAMES EVANS: Dairy Farmer, UK From Priddbwll Mawr farm, Oswestry, James’ sole focus is on the dairy herd having overseen rapid growth in the last five years thanks to the use of technology like Keenan’s Pace, Uniform Agri, ai24 Heatime and Semex’s new solutions, Dairy- Track and Optimate. The farm is getting ever more “tech-ed up, he says, to maximise the use of technology.
SIMON BUGLER: Dairy Farmer, UK Simon is the fourth generation of the family and manages the high yielding herd of pedigree Holsteins at Pilsden Dairy Farm, Bridport, Dorset. The farm was the 2017 winner of the RABDF Gold Cup - the most prestigious dairy farming award in the UK.
Sophistication with dedication in the same dynamic Space Only the best will do. Your classy conference venue and premier accommodation is Glasgow’s 5-star Radisson Blu hotel in the International Financial Services District. A recognizable gem on the skyline with its sculptural copper wall, this is a contemporary venue created with sheer comfort firmly in mind. Every room is imaginatively designed and has numerous amenities. The staff are dedicated to you having a stress-free stay. This hotel is situated just a few short steps from Glasgow Central Railway Station and lets you dive into Glasgow’s culture-rich attractions. There are iconic buildings, fascinating exhibitions, the urban market, the well-heeled shops to explore and locals with a sharp sense of humour in this Instagrammable city. #SmxConf18
Meet friends, make friends One thing that won’t change is our fabulous and famous Semex hospitality! It’s a true conference highlight. It starts after you arrive on the Sunday night where a subtle jazz band sets an elegant tone as you informally network with like-minded delegates. The Neilston & District Pipe Band offer tradition, presence and spectacle in equal measure. Dating back in Neilston around 200 years, this band wears the MacKenzie tartan and is led ably by Pipe Major, Iain MacDonald in full regalia. The successful lawyer and former referee, Willie Young, is an accomplished wit, raconteur and established after-dinner speaker and much in demand across the UK. Willie has spoken at an abundance of business and sporting dinners and at scores of Burns Suppers from Europe and Africa to the Middle East.
Willie Young
SECURE YOUR PLACE TODAY Contact: Leanne Garden 0800 86 88 90 leanne@semex.co.uk
The Final COUNTDOWN Hurry! The Countdown to conference and unprecedented change is reaching its final phase. The convincing conference summary is given below: • A cost of £425 +VAT for 3-days and 2-nights: the full conference package
• Full Scottish breakfasts
• Delegate’s Gala Reception and upmarket buffet with jazz group & welcome drinks
• Morning coffee & afternoon tea
• 2-nights at the modern 5-star Radisson Blu Hotel, located right in Glasgow city-centre • Engaging speakers from all sectors of our dairy industry will contribute to the must-hear debate
• Tasty buffet lunches • Burns Supper with a witty and accomplished host, preceded by our Civic Reception • Car parking close to the hotel • Delegate registration pack
Call Leanne Garden on 0800 86 88 90 or email leanne@semex.co.uk Book your place soon to discover vital strategy and solutions for your future.
5…4…3…2…1… take off for the prestigious 2018 Semex Dairy Conference in Glasgow!
REGISTRATION FEES Full stay: 2-night 3-day £425* Full stay (single room rate): £555
Day Delegate: £70 Evening dinner: £55
*price is for 2 sharing. All fees excluding vat.
Maple Park Monkton Prestwick Ayrshire KA9 2RJ 0800 86 88 90 | www.semex.co.uk
#SmxConf18