NBA Board Members
Andrew Laughton’s family have farmed in the Louth area for more than four generations, He finishes up to 6000 animals outside every year.
One of Andrew’s ‘passions’ is to work closely with the environment, ensuring that soil health is improved for future generations to enjoy.
He is aware that there are challenges ahead within the political arena. He believes that the beef industry, must maintain their points of difference against cheap imports – the hormone issue for example, and push home the fact that UK health and welfare standards are some of the highest in the world.
William, a member of the NBA, is the third generation of the Walton Family to have farmed Penpeugh Farm at Bardon Mill near Hexham in Northumberland. William’s role will be to represent the North East region for the NBA, and as a board member he will be a voice for the industry and contribute to the board and their decision making.
Ernie is a second generation farmer from County Down. He runs a 150 head commercial suckler herd. He has been a member of the NBA for a number of years and is currently the Northern Ireland Treasurer as well as representing the Northern Ireland region on the Board.
The Watson family moved to Sanders Close, Slaggyford, Brampton in the late 1960s. Sanders Close is a hill farm which is home to the Saunders pedigree Limousin herd and 900 Swaledale ewes.
Mr Watson believes there is solid long-term future for livestock farming in upland areas helped by environmental payments but a key issue is encouraging and keeping young people in these areas.
Jude L. Capper, PhD ARAgS, an independent Livestock Sustainability Consultant based in Oxfordshire, undertook her BSc (Agriculture with Animal Science) and PhD (Ruminant Nutrition and Behaviour) at Harper Adams University College (UK), followed by post-doctoral research at Cornell University (USA) and a faculty position at Washington State University (USA).
Jude's research focuses on modelling the sustainability of livestock production systems, specifically beef and dairy, including quantifying changes made by improving productivity or adopting differing management practices. She is also currently working on projects relating to the impacts of medicines use on UK beef farms and the national and global impacts of livestock health and welfare on system sustainability.
Gareth Boyes BVMS DBR MRCVS is a partner at Ark Vet Centre in south west Scotland, to the team.
Gareth has over 20 years of experience specialising in farm animal medicine, with a particular interest in cattle reproduction and fertility. He is the official vet for several of the main breed societies, and works closely with them to provide expert and up-to-date advice on all aspects of individual and herd health.
Gareth is also involved with the deer farming industry, both as a veterinary consultant for First Venison, and with the management of his own herd of red deer.
In recent times, Gareth has represented the National Beef Association on the CheCS Board, and will continue to do so as a full member of the NBA Board.
