The Semex International Dairy Conference 2026
Sunday 11th January - Tuesday 13th 2026
The Semex International Dairy Conference is a place where professionals from all corners of the dairy world can come together to share knowledge, forge connections, and drive the industry forward into the future.
The diverse range of voices and perspectives, that have presented on the stage has made the Semex International Dairy Conference the unique event it is, offering attendees valuable insights into the ever-evolving dairy sector. Each year, the conference explores the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in dairy farming and the broader food industry.
The 35th year of the conference promises to build on this rich legacy, continuing to provide a platform for thought leaders to discuss issues such as sustainability, animal welfare, technology, and the future of dairy
in a changing marketplace.
As always, the conference will offer a combination of inspiring keynote speakers and networking opportunities, all aimed at empowering dairy farmers and industry stakeholders to stay ahead in a competitive and rapidly evolving landscape.
The conference opens with an informal buffet on the Sunday evening and concludes on Tuesday mid-afternoon. The Radisson Blu is a striking modern landmark in the heart of Glasgow. Ideally located near all major transport links, this first class conference venue offers easy access to the citys impressive shopping, culture and nightlife.
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Our Conference Chair
Rory Christie
Taking on the crucial role of Chair at the 2026 Semex International Dairy Conference is southwest Scotland dairy farmer, Rory Christie. Farming alongside his brother, Rory farms 1200 dairy cows and 200 sows. A founding chair of the Milk Suppliers Association and Chair of SAOS, Scotland food supply chain co-operation enabler, Rory was a founder of the Fast Breeders genetics project, is a board member of SOSE and is a trained conflict mediator.
“It’s an honour to be chairing the 2026 Semex Conference — the event that sets the pace for the year ahead in the UK dairy industry. Ours is a sector that is always being asked to do more, and thanks to the genetics of our cows, the technology at our fingertips, and the ingenuity of our farmers, we continue to stay ahead of that ask.”
Joining our 2026 speaker line up...
Tom Bradshaw
President, NFU
Manuel Soares
CEO, Milc Group
Tom brings a wealth of experience and insight having served as Chair of the National Crops Board before joining the NFU Presidential team in 2020. Over the past four years, he has served two years as Vice President and two years as Deputy President, playing a key role in representing and supporting British farmers. Alongside his NFU responsibilities, Tom farms, a small owned farm, in partnership with his wife Emily and his parents in North Essex, alongside a contract farming business growing a range of combinable crops.
Manuel brings over 40 years of dairy experience from the family dairy to managing both small and large dairy operations before he spent 24 years with the largest software company in the dairy industry. In 2017, Manuel created Milc Group, a dairy software company which provides one platform connecting the entire dairy operation
Chris Walkland
Journalist & Market Analyst
Specialising in the dairy sector for over 25 years, Chris has commented on all aspects of the dairy supply chain from primary production down on the farm, through economics and politics at processor, retailer and consumer level. Chris writes the fortnightly dairy report for The Provision Trade Federation, and a monthly column in British Dairying and is “everybody’s favourite dairy market analyst” with his regular contribution on the weekly Kite Podcast.
Christophe Lafougère
CEO, GIRA
Christophe Lafougère is the CEO of the consulting and research company GIRA, a company specialising in the world of agri-food. Since joining GIRA more than 30 years ago, he has led numerous strategic consulting, due diligence and research assignments throughout the food chain. He also oversees all of Gira's consulting activities in the dairy sector. He created the Gira Dairy Club 15 years ago, whose members include 26 of the world's largest dairies. This club is a unique qualitative and quantitative forecasting base for all the main dairy/ingredients production, consumption and trading countries of the world, and it covers all the issues influencing milk production & dairy commodities in the short & medium term. 2025 results will be published beginning of October. Christophe is well-known throughout the dairy industry and is a regular speaker at major international dairy events.
Tim Farron, MP
Lib Dems Spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Paul Vernon
CEO Leprino Food &
Chairman, Dairy UK
Tim Farron has been the MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005. Tim lives in Milnthorpe, south Cumbria, with his wife Rosie, his daughters Isabella and Gracie and his sons Jude and Laurie. In his limited spare time, Tim enjoys following the (mis)fortunes of Blackburn Rovers, playing football, fell running, walking in the Lake District, listening to various kinds of music and spending time with family and friends. In July 2015 Tim was elected leader of the Lib Dems. He stood down in June 2017 following the General Election and now is the party's spokesperson for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Paul has worked in the dairy industry for the past 37 years, commencing working for a Co-Operative based in Northern Ireland. For the past 30 years he has been the Chief Executive of Leprino Europe, previously a European joint venture between Leprino and Glanbia Plc until April 2023 when Leprino acquired 100% ownership of the company. During this period the company has grown turnover to over £500m and has become the leading manufacturer of mozzarella cheese for the Pizza Industry in Europe. From its manufacturing facilities in North Wales (Anglesey) and Northern Ireland (Magheralin) and Ireland (Portlaoise) the company provides cheese solutions to the leading pizza providers in the UK and the EU as well as exporting to a growing number of other counties across the world. The company employs 500 staff and is a major local employer in the rural areas where its manufacturing facilities are located. In addition to his role as Chief Executive, Paul is currently Chairman of Dairy UK, the trade association that represents the interests of both milk processors and producers throughout the UK. He is also a Director of the Dairy Council in Northern Ireland. Paul previously served as a member of the Economic Advisory Group which provided advice to the Minister at the Department of the Economy in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and was also a member of the UK Government’s Agri Foods and Drink Policy Forum.
Melissa Bowers
Vice President, Semex Embryos
As Vice President, Embryos at Semex, Melissa Bowers leads the global embryo strategy and operations across Boviteq. She oversees all aspects of the embryo business, driving performance and growth within Boviteq’s wholly owned laboratories in Canada, the United States, Brazil (Cenatte), Australia, and Japan, as well as through an expanding network of international licensee partners. Melissa is known for her leadership in optimizing performance, expanding access to industry-leading IVF technologies, and delivering advanced reproductive solutions that support herd improvement strategies for progressive dairy and beef operations around the world. She works closely with cross-functional teams to align operational excellence with business development goals, ensuring the continued success of Semex’s embryo programs. Melissa joined Semex in 2012 as a Sales & Product Specialist, supporting embryo exports and Semex’s genetic tools and solutions. She later served as Embryo Sales Manager, playing a key role in growing the embryo portfolio. Fully bilingual in English and French, Melissa is also a co-owner of Lencrest Jerseys in Coaticook, Quebec—bringing deep grassroots experience and a producer’s perspective to her leadership. Based at Boviteq’s global headquarters in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Melissa brings passion and expertise in genetic advancement and herd improvement strategies to Semex’s mission of delivering solutions that drive herd progress and profitability. During this period the company has grown turnover to over £500m and has become the leading manufacturer of mozzarella cheese for the Pizza Industry in Europe. From its manufacturing facilities in North Wales (Anglesey) and Northern Ireland (Magheralin) and Ireland (Portlaoise) the company provides cheese solutions to the leading pizza providers in the UK and the EU as well as exporting to a growing number of other counties across the world. The company employs 500 staff and is a major local employer in the rural areas where its manufacturing facilities are located. In addition to his role as Chief Executive, Paul is currently Chairman of Dairy UK, the trade association that represents the interests of both milk processors and producers throughout the UK. He is also a Director of the Dairy Council in Northern Ireland. Paul previously served as a member of the Economic Advisory Group which provided advice to the Minister at the Department of the Economy in the Northern Ireland Assembly, and was also a member of the UK Government’s Agri Foods and Drink Policy Forum.
