Turriff Show Business Breakfast Unites Industry Leaders to Tackle Agricultural Challenges

The Turriff Show Business Breakfast, now in its third year, has rapidly become a vital event in Scotland’s agricultural calendar. With over 100 attendees, the breakfast provided an insightful platform for industry leaders, local business owners, farmers, and journalists to discuss the future of agriculture. Powered by Virgin Money and Ledingham Chalmers, the event featured expert insights on inclusion, sustainability, food security, and innovation.

The Turriff Show Business Breakfast continues to grow in prominence, serving as a focal point for industry professionals to discuss the key issues shaping Scotland’s agricultural sector. 

Held during the second day of Scotland's largest two-day agricultural show, this year’s breakfast brought together over 100 attendees, with a line-up of respected speakers who shared their expertise and insights on topics vital to the future of agriculture.

The event, which has now become a must-attend function, saw headline sponsor Virgin Money and associate sponsor Ledingham Chalmers drive its success. This year, Chair Jane Craigie, a local journalist and communicator, expertly guided the discussions, ensuring a productive exchange of ideas. With issues such as workforce diversity, environmental sustainability, and food security at the forefront, the speakers left attendees feeling inspired and optimistic about the industry’s potential.

A life-changing journey

Mike Duxbury, co-founder of The Inclusive Farm, kicked off the breakfast by sharing his remarkable personal journey. Losing his sight at the age of six, Mike has never let adversity define him. In his inspiring talk, Mike emphasised that “anything is possible,” a belief that has propelled him to become the first blind person to attend the Warwickshire College of Agriculture.

Together with his wife Ness, Mike founded The Inclusive Farm in Bedfordshire, creating groundbreaking opportunities for people with disabilities within the agricultural sector. His journey has now taken him to Scotland, where the couple recently took on a 22-acre tenancy near Tarland, provided by The MacRobert Trust. 

Mike challenged the industry to rethink its approach to diversity, urging that “Don’t look at the disability, look at the person. Give them an opportunity to show you what they can do.”

Mike’s message resonates strongly in today’s workforce environment, where inclusivity and diversity are becoming more critical to success. He believes that embracing diverse needs in the workplace will not only benefit individuals but will also enhance the agricultural sector, particularly in light of the workforce challenges it currently faces.

Connecting science and agriculture

Dr Jenna Ross OBE brought her unique blend of farming heritage and scientific expertise to the breakfast. Growing up on a family farm near Tarland in Royal Deeside, Jenna’s passion for environmental science was ignited early on. 

With a PhD in Environmental Science and an internationally ranked MBA, Jenna now leads international development for the UK Agri-Tech Centre, where she drives high-impact projects aimed at improving sustainability, productivity, and profitability on farms around the globe.

Jenna’s talk provided a global perspective on agricultural innovation, emphasising the importance of showcasing agriculture as a STEM subject to attract the next generation of young people.

“Young people need to see that agriculture isn’t just traditional farming, it’s innovation, science, and solving global challenges. The industry has so much to offer, from farming to research, technology, business and beyond, and we need to showcase these opportunities to create a more diverse future workforce,” Dr Jenna Ross OBE said. 

Food security and supply chains

Christine Tacon CBE, a former Groceries Code Adjudicator and Chair of Red Tractor Assurance, shared her extensive knowledge of the food industry, particularly around food security and resilient supply chains. In her current role at the Co-op Group, Christine is involved in navigating the complexities of global food supply, especially in the face of challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and geopolitical instability.

“It’s absolutely right that we focus on food security, but we must also turn our attention to resilience and building longer-term relationships in our supply chains,” Christine explained. 

She emphasised that supermarkets must build more resilient supply chains to mitigate the risks posed by unpredictable sources of food. Her advocacy for long-term, collaborative relationships between farmers and retailers has been a key driver of the Co-op’s approach to sourcing sustainable and reliable food supplies

Building confidence in the agri-business sector

Brian Richardson, Head of Agriculture for Virgin Money, concluded the event by discussing the challenges facing the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of investment and financial planning. Drawing from his extensive experience in agri-business and as Chief Executive of H&H Group, Brian provided insights into the industry’s current climate, where uncertainty has slowed investment, and lending has reduced by 15% compared to pre-COVID levels.

Brian stressed the need for farmers to take proactive steps to manage their assets and plan for succession. 

“Farmers should take the opportunity now to be proactive in looking at their assets, deciding what succession looks like, and bringing those conversations forward,” he said. 

He also emphasised the importance of government support in restoring confidence in the sector and fostering long-term growth and sustainability.

The Turriff Show: A hub for agriculture and business

Following the speeches, Jane Craigie, Chair of the event, expressed her gratitude to the speakers and sponsors for their contributions to making the Business Breakfast such a success. She noted that this year’s discussions were particularly impactful, offering valuable insights into key issues such as diversity, sustainability, and global food security.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Turriff Show, Jane shared exciting plans to expand the Business Breakfast by introducing a new Business Hub. This dedicated area will provide an opportunity for farmers, business owners, and industry professionals to engage in focused discussions about the agricultural sector’s future. 

“Business is a key part of the Turriff Show, and we’re excited to create a space where people can discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for the sector,” she said.

The Turriff Show, now in its 161st year, continues to attract over 24,000 visitors annually. As the largest two-day agricultural show in Scotland, it offers over 300 exhibitor stands and more than 1,500 livestock classes, with a prize pool of £88,000. The show remains a vital event for showcasing Scotland’s agricultural achievements and future developments.

The Turriff Show will take place on Sunday 2 and Monday 3 August 2026 at The Haughs, Queen’s Road, Turriff, AB53 4EF.