Arable Conference

Partnered by the Oxford Farming Conference

For the first time, the Oxford Farming Conference is working with the Cereals event to bring visitors four debates headlined by industry leaders including farmers, scientists, policymakers and environmentalists.

The sessions are free and open to all visitors and will take the form of debates with questions welcomed from the audience.

The Arable Conference sets the agenda for the arable industry, focusing on the future and how it will affect your business.  The Arable Conference timetable is shown below:

Wednesday 9th June

10.30am Pre-conference teas and coffees – everyone welcome

11.00am – 12noon Science in the Arable Sector: Where are the ideas which are relevant to cereal production?

Chair: Cedric Porter, Director, Oxford Farming Conference
Panellists:
Peter Kendall, President, NFU
Professor John Snape, Head of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre
Dr Susannah Bolton, Head of R&D, HGCA
Dr Mike Bushell, Principal Scientific Advisor, Syngenta
Richard Jacobs, Chief Executive, Organic Farmers and Growers

12.45pm Arable Conference Reception

2.30pm – 3.30pm Campaign for the Farmed Environment: Is the campaign working and is it commercially viable?

Chair: Will Gemmill, Director, Oxford Farming Conference
Panellists:
Poul Christensen, Chairman, Natural England
Jim Eagan, chair of CFE National Delivery Group
Dr Mark Avery, Director of Conservation, RSPB
Ian Pigott, Hertfordshire Farmer and Commentator

5.00pm Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Bangers and Mash Reception

Thursday 10th June

10.30am Pre-conference teas and coffees – everyone welcome

11.00am – 12noon Science in the Arable Sector – Where are the ideas which are relevant to cereal production?

Chair: Christine Tacon, Chairman, Oxford Farming Conference
Panellists:
Prof. Ian Crute, Chief Scientist, AHDB
Mr Bill Clark, Director, Broom’s Barn Research Centre
Adrian Ivory, Scottish Farmer and former FW Young Farmer of the Year
Nick Mole, UK and Europe Coordinator, Pesticide Action Network UK

12.45pm - 2.15pm Young Advocates for Agriculture – National Debating Competition
Judges:
Christine Tacon, Managing Director of The Co-operative Farms
David Bolton of David Bolton Associates
Tom Heap, BBC Broadcaster and Journalist
Proposing and Opposing Teams:
Reaseheath College
Aberystwyth College
Easton College
Royal Agricultural College

2.15pm Pre-conference teas and coffees – everyone welcome

2.30pm – 3.30pm Campaign for the Farmed Environment
Chair: Jane King, Director, Oxford Farming Conference
Panellists:
Aileen Kirmond, Head of Land Quality, Environment Agency
Jim Orson, Technical Director, TAG
Andrew Brown, Rutland Farmer
Robert Law, Cereals Event Host Farmer and Director Oxford Farming Conference

4.00pm Presentation to the Winner of the Young Advocates for Agriculture National Debating Competition