The three divisions of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), representing pigs, dairy, and beef and sheep, respectively, will join forces for a programme that includes a focus on global economic trends, price volatility and the outlook for feed prices. There will also be sector-specific forecasting sessions that will consider the short and medium term market outlook.

Online bookings for the event can be made by visiting the Conference Website - a full programme, complete with further booking details, can be downloaded here (bookings can also be made by emailing Emma at [email protected]).

“The Outlook conference will be focusing on issues that are seen to be key to the development of the pigs, dairy and beef and sheep industries over the next year. As well as a number of our own market analysts, we are grateful to a number of leading experts in the industry for accepting the invitation to speak on issues of upmost importance and relevance to our levy payers.“ said Michael Archer, Market Specialist Manager with AHDB Market Intelligence (MI).

“The conference will also include a wealth of latest forecasting information to help delegates make sound business decisions in 2013 and beyond.“ The conference will feature a series of breakout sessions focused on the three sectors:

Pigs

An overview of the outlook for the pig industry, covering the UK, EU and global situation. The session will examine the impact of the big issues facing the industry, including the high price of feed, new EU welfare regulations and rising demand from emerging markets. AHDB/MI Market Specialist Manager Stephen Howarth will present the latest AHDB/BPEX forecasts for UK pig meat supplies and Albert Vernooij from Rabobank will cover the EU and global outlook.

Dairy

Following an introduction from DairyCo Chairman Tim Bennett, this session will include an examination of the GB and global dairy market outlook with Mark Voorbergen CMENP and Matthew Johnson, Senior Analyst for AHDB MI/DairyCo. There will then be a presentation on the key challenges facing the British dairy industry by Ian Potter, followed by a discussion on the same topic.

Beef and sheep

Introduced by EBLEX Chairman John Cross, the session will feature production forecasts for the year ahead from Debbie Butcher, Senior Analyst AHDB MI/EBLEX and Paul Heyhoe, Analyst AHDB MI/EBLEX. EBLEX Export Manager Jean-Pierre Garnier will also examine developments and opportunities for beef and lamb in the global market.