How to meet arable challenges and maximise opportunities

Forward-thinking arable farmers can access exclusive updates and insights from industry leaders and innovators at this month’s CropTec event.

Top speakers to tackle the sector’s most pressing topics have been lined up for the two-day show. It takes place on 29-30 November at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

The first session of a packed seminar programme will focus on ways to improve business resilience by breaking down access to new markets. Speakers will discuss Defra policy, emerging support schemes and environmental markets.

This first session will be chaired by NFU chief economics advisor Rohit Kaushish on day one of CropTec.

Mr Kaushish said: “Farmers are looking for new diversified income opportunities to manage market risk and uncertainty and are increasingly being approached by project developers in environmental markets about new potential income streams.

He added: There are a lot of questions being asked at the moment on the potential of such markets at farm level. It is therefore a really good time to be exploring these markets in detail.”

The session will be repeated on the second day, when it will be chaired by NFU vice-president David Exwood.Changes to government policy and the high costs of production made this topic particularly pertinent, he said.

“In a fast-changing world, having more opportunities to provide new and diverse income streams for farms is vital.”

Former NFU president Sir Peter Kendall will chair the second semniar which will delve into issues around crop nutrition. Experts will explore the importance of low carbon crop nutrition, while looking at the future of fertiliser policy in a changing climate.

Panellists include Mark Tucker, business development and head of agronomy for session sponsor Yara; and independent agronomist David Boulton, from Indigro.

Input costs

Sir Peter said: “Anyone who has lived through the last 12 months of fertiliser prices will be considering really carefully all available options for plant nutrition in their system. Now is a great time to plan for the future.

“I am looking forward to being part of this year’s CropTec at its new location. The show comes at a great time of year when we have the chance to review our previous harvest and plan for the spring season ahead of us.”

Session three will focus on the experiences of three innovative farmers – and what others can learn from success and failure. Chairman Andrew Francis, from Team Ag, said: “It’s always good to chalklenge how you go about doing the day job.”

The final session of the day will tackle crop protection techniques amid changing regulations. Speakers will include David Schaffer (RAGT), James Bairstow (Strutt & Parker), and Dave Bench (CropLife UK).

For full details and your free CropTec ticket, please visit croptecshow.com

Specialist knowledge on hand at show

This is the first year Croptec has been held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre – and organisers say it promises to be a special event.

“With the arable sector facing such historic changes, our seminar programme is designed to equip growers with the knowledge they need to meet the challenges head on and maximise opportunities,” says CropTec event directore Verity Hyland.

“Our seminar programme brings together the specialist knowledge of scientists, plant breeders, agronomists and policy makers with the ‘boots on the ground’ expertise of some of the country’s most innovative farmers This will create a unique learning opportunity.”