Login
Login
This year, John McCulloch was awarded funding from RHASS to attend the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth conference. Below he tells us about his key takeaways from the conference as well as his advice for anyone seeking funding to attend similar events!
How are you associated with SAYFC?
I have been a member of SAYFC for over ten years. I first joined in 2014 when I was 14 years old and originally joined Stirling, Strathendrick and Strathkelvin YFC. In 2017, I moved to Dumfries and Galloway and joined Stewartry YFC. Since then, I have sat on the SAYFC Senior Leadership Team for six years, chaired
Stewartry YFC three times, been chair of the SAYFC National Agri and Rural Affairs committee and I am currently chair of Dumfries and Galloway District of Young Farmers Clubs.
If you are currently employed, what is your role and where?
In May 2023, I started a new job as a Trainee Auctioneer at Wallets Marts in Castle Douglas, South West Scotland.
Before I started my current job, I worked for six years on a large-scale beef finishing unit near Dumfries.
How did attending the conference relate to your personal and professional development?
The experience of attending my first RASC conference was very rewarding, especially as it was being held here in Scotland. The discussions that were being held were very interesting as they allowed me to get a sense of the challenges that the Agricultural community is facing around the world.
Hearing of some of the ways that people are overcoming these challenges has given me ideas of how we can overcome challenges here at home.
What were your key takeaways from the RASC conference?
The main takeaway message for me was the fact that everybody is experiencing the same challenges and we are all in this together. Whether that be show societies, farmers or businesses operating within the sector, no matter where they are in the world, RASC gives us a community where we can work together and communicate.
Are there any specific projects or initiatives that will benefit from what you have learned?
Anything that I have learned from attending the RASC conference or connections I have made will be used to develop the many show societies which I am involved in, including RHASS and also my work within SAYFC.
Was there a particular session, speaker, or moment that stood out to you? Has anything from the RASC conference impacted your perspective on your work or the industry?
All of the speakers and sessions were very interesting and shed a light on the work which is being done around the world to improve and preserve this hugely important industry. It has changed my view of travelling and going to see all of this important work in action.
Were there any networking opportunities at the RASC conference that were particularly valuable?
I consider all networking to be valuable, however I feel the mix of individuals in the room and the positions which they hold gave the next generation delegates at the conference a fantastic opportunity to meet with people that may be great contacts for their future careers.
What advice would you give to others looking to seek funding to attend a conference or for a project or initiative?
Go for it! Opportunities to attend events such as the RASC conference are rare, and it is one of the best experiences that you will ever get! The people you meet become friends for life and you learn so much about this industry and the people in it. The next RASC conference is in Cape Town, South Africa in November 2026 if anyone is interested in attending.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with RHASS and the RASC conference?
I would just like to thank RHASS for the opportunity to attend this RASC conference and allowing me to experience all that it had to offer, especially in Scotland where we were showcasing our industry here at home on the global stage.
Watch John’s speech at the RASC Conference here
