OF&G :: The Blog

Something doesn’t sound quite right about that post title….

Anyway, the BBC is looking for young people with a talent of the knife-wielding variety, it seems. If you think that might be you, here are the details as they were sent to us:

CALLING ALL YOUNG BUTCHERS!

The search is now on for the UK’s top young talent, Young Butcher of the

Year is back. This series showcases the millions of young British workers

whose skills aren’t the kind to win them a million pound recording contract.

Following the success of last year’s series, Young Butcher of the Year is part

of a BBC Three series celebrating young trade talent across the country.

There are talent shows for dancers, singers and entertainers but what about

all those who never see the limelight?

If you are a talented young Butcher we want to hear from you. Or if you know

someone who fits the bill please get in touch.

We are looking for someone who can be a true ambassador for their trade,

who is aged 16-25 years, up for a challenge and wants to show the world their

skills!

Want to know more? Email: youngtalent@bbc.co.uk or contact…

Young Talent of the Year (series 2), Casting Team, Room 4060, BBC

Entertainment, Oxford Road, Manchester M60 1SJ.

Age limit: Applicants must be aged between 16-25 on the closing date

Exact closing date: 10PM Saturday 31st July 2010

Our team enjoyed a very positive and pleasant (rain aside) couple of days at this year’s Cereals 2010 event.

Our CEO, Richard Jacobs (right), on the Oxford Farming Conference Panel

This really is the key date in the calendar for cereal producers and all of the supporting services. We’ve got into the habit of teaming up with our partners at SAI Global (who work with us to provide inspection services that support our certification process) for the event.

Our Chief Executive, Richard Jacobs, joined a high profile panel, including NFU President, Peter Kendall, on Wednesday morning for a show-based spin-off session from the Oxford Farming Conference entitled Science in the Arable Sector: Where are the ideas, which are relevant to cereal production?

It turned out to be a lively and very positive debate and the feedback we got tells us that Richard’s contribution opened a good few people’s eyes to the fact that the organic sector is not dominated by people with an ‘us and them’ attitude to organic/non-organic farming.

Richard (left) being interviewed by BBC Radio 4's Charlotte Smith, with Peter Kendall and (right) Prof Snape

The panel session was followed by Richard, Peter Kendall and Prof John Snape, Head of Crop Genetics at the John Innes Centre, being interviewed by BBC Radio 4 Farming Today presenter, Charlotte Smith (we’re told that should be on tomorrow’s programme).

It was also a great couple of days for our team on the OF&G/SAI Global stand who spoke to a lot of existing and potential licensees.

They felt that this year was particularly good for networking – and lots of great food was being given away. Our Development Officer, Steven Jacobs, said he thought it was a good atmosphere and felt like people were determined to be working together for the good of the industry. They particularly enjoyed the beer poured expertly by the ladies at the Savills stand!

The overall positives of the event have left the team buoyed-up for the next key arable event for us – our very own National Organic Cereals 2010, at which we can focus with the delegates, speakers and exhibitors on the benefits and challenges of our own sector.

In the wake of the gloom that accompanied the demise of the Royal Show, it’s really encouraging to see that well-focused farming events are still well-supported and can be so productive. And as I finish this, Farmers Weekly is reporting a turnout of more than 25,000 people – a very healthy show.

We’re very pleased to have been able to announce today that BBC Countryfile presenter and high-profile farmer, Adam Henson, will be attending our National Organic Cereals 2010 event.

To be held on July 8, in Andover, Hampshire, this year’s National Organic Cereals will be building on an excellent 2009 event and has the backing of key people in the organic arable, seed, feed and milling sectors.

Adam Henson will be chairing an afternoon Q&A panel for us. Adam is not an organic farmer, which suits us perfectly because with National Organic Cereals we don’t want to talk only to the existing organic community. Anyone who is inquisitive about organics and open-minded enough to find out more is someone we would love to see at the event. It’s all about highlighting the opportunities in organic cereals while also examining the challenges and realities.

You can read more about the event in our news release here and book your place here if you’d like to attend. It should be a great day and places tend to fill up fast, so please do book early.