This summer, from 16 June to 2 July, the UK and Ireland host the world Aberdeen Angus forum. Over the course of the 16 days, there will be over 50 events across the UK and Ireland. The quadrennial world secretariat will meet in Edinburgh for the first time since 1977.

The forum also gets the chance to visit well-established herds in each country, as well as taking in the Royal Three Counties Show in England, the all-Ireland championship at Newry Show and the Royal Highland Show. There will be a special visit to Tillyfour Farm, former home of William McCombie, one of the founding Aberdeen Angus breeders. The society is also planning to show off the best of hospitality, with a number of social events and dinners to mark the occasion.

There will also be a technical focus during the forum, with a two-day conference looking at the future of beef production. The conference will have a range of talks from breeders, scientists and industry leaders, looking at the whole food chain from consumption to conception.

The forum also includes a youth competition, where teams of four selected young members from all over the world will be pitched against each other to compete in livestock, agri-skills and social challenges, culminating in the grand finale at Netherton Farm, Perthshire, on the final leg of the tour.

The entire series of events is likely to cost around £500,000. There are already over 250 delegates booked from all over the world for the trip, with more expected to confirm in the runup to June. Locals are able to attend events in their area and are advised to contact the Aberdeen Angus Society beforehand as places are limited on some days. If you would like to find out more, visit www.worldangusforum2017.com.