‘Joining the Dots: From Blue Skies to Green Fields’
I am thrilled to assume the Chair of the British Cattle Breeders Club for 2025. As a self-confessed townie, I am acutely aware of the large and well-worn wellies of past chairs that I have to fill, so I’m incredibly grateful to the committee for putting their faith in me, as I cast aside any feelings of impostor syndrome and look to bring my own perspective to the role.
I first attended the British Cattle Breeders Club Conference in 2014 as a student speaker. It was an eye-opening experience that helped me far better understand the challenges farmers face and how research can address these issues appropriately. Having spent the last decade at the interface between industry and academia, I am strongly committed to fostering a collaborative environment where knowledge flows both ways, ensuring that research is not only innovative but also relevant and applicable.
The Club is a truly unique platform where science, technology, and cattle breeding converge. We have a rich history of fostering knowledge and innovation in cattle breeding. Originally focused on teaching the fundamental concepts of breeding and genetics, the club and its annual conference have evolved to highlight cutting-edge research and real-world case studies, providing a key platform for knowledge sharing. Looking to the rest of 2025, and culminating in next year’s conference, we aim to honour these traditions and provide abundant opportunities for discussion and active learning.
Our upcoming conference theme, "Joining the Dots: From Blue Skies to Green Fields" aims to explore how we can successfully connect innovative research with practical farming applications, maintaining a strong focus on breeding and genetics. We aim to highlight successful examples of how research and practice can be successfully integrated, showcasing implementations that have made a tangible difference on farm, and the amazing people working at each point in the chain to make change happen. Planning for the 2026 conference is already underway, and speaker suggestions around this theme are very much welcomed!
We also hope to explore and challenge the traditional "trickle-down" approach to research funding and impact and explore how we can better align our efforts with the needs and priorities of cattle breeders. By doing so, we hope to take steps towards a more dynamic and responsive process that truly benefits all stakeholders.
I invite all members, new and old, to join us on this exciting journey. Let's come together to share knowledge, challenge assumptions, and drive forward the future of cattle breeding. So please spread the word, bring your neighbours, and be part of a community that values every contribution. The British Cattle Breeders Club is where innovation meets practice, and together, we can achieve great things.
Date for your diary: The dates for the 2026 conference were announced and will be held from Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st January 2026.
