As some may be winding down for the Christmas period, it is all systems go for the team at RABDF. We have been working hard putting the final details together for the recording-breaking Dairy-Tech 2022 on 2 February. We have the highest number of exhibitors recorded at the event with almost 300 and more than 80 new products launches.
We have some exciting speakers lined up in our Dairy and Innovation Hubs with talks on regenerative farming, the latest update on emissions, use of data and the latest technology, and the usual foot trimming demonstrations. Tickets are available now at the discounted rate of £17, and for members, you will, of course, receive your two free tickets to the event.
After two years with almost no events and limited social activity, it will be fantastic to see people flock through the doors at Stoneleigh Park once again. More information about what's on can be found at dairy-tech.uk.
As well as Dairy-Tech 2022, we have just finished our virtual Business and Policy Conference. We had some great speakers discussing everything from food labelling and standards to the very popular session on emissions and the latest news on permitting and the covering of slurry stores.
From the emissions session and the number of questions asked, it's clear the level of concern over what is coming down the line in the next three to five years. However, rest assured, as an organisation and working with the wider industry, we are doing everything we can to make sure the systems introduced are fair and will have the most positive impact on reducing emissions.
Our Chairman Peter Alvis has been heavily involved in developing a tool kit that allows farmers to input basic data relating to housing type and management, slurry storage and spreading.
It was developed in response to the Government's plan to introduce permitting for dairy and intensive beef farms by 2025, with concerns permits based on headage or output may not be the most effective and fair approach.
The toolkit uses a risk-based approach to assess the emissions risk. It would evaluate each farm based on size, the farming systems and practices used, and create a score for the farm. This would allow farmers to see the effect adapting or changing practices would have on their emissions risk. They could then adopt the most appropriate risk reduction technique for their farm.
Although the tool kit is still in development, its planned release is next year. You can read more at rabdf.co.uk/news
Hopefully, as we approach the end of 2021 and the start of 2022, we can look forward with some positivity. While the pandemic is not going away soon, we are hopefully past the worse. So let us hope 2022 will bring much positivity to the sector and, most importantly, good health and happiness.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
From Matt and the RABDF team