JSR Genetics, based at Southburn, will be holding their 19th technical conference entitled 50 Years of Excellence in Breeding on September 16 which promises to bring in highly respected speakers from across the UK alongside promising new talent.

JSR's Dr Grant Walling will give the keynote address and Dr Huw Jones of Genesis Faraday will tackle the subject of carbon emissions.

Professor Dianna Bowles will present her paper entitled Bioscience: the science of the 21st century, former M&S agriculture manager, Rob Cumine, giving his view on accessing and creating value markets and Belgian pig producer, Wouter Sinnaeve, will represent the practical angle.

Two of the country's top students in the field have been selected by JSR to attend the conference as part of a nationwide competition and will present a synopsis of their research and career aims.

Claudia Richards, who is currently studying for an MSc in Meat Science and Technology at Bristol University, will submit her research on boar taint compounds.

Dagmar Kapell, a second year PhD student at the Scottish Agricultural College, will present his paper on the genetic improvement of piglet survival.

Tim Rymer, chairman of JSR Genetics, took part in the selection process and said he was looking forward to the event.

Mr Rymer said: "JSR's technical conference is always a highlight and introducing these talented individuals to the industry will make it really special.

"They are knowledgeable, skilled, determined.
"Both have a tremendous amount to offer and we really are duty bound to ensure that such potential isn't wasted."