SEMINAR ONE
Soil Health
9.25-10.15am
SESSION CHAIR: Jane Rickson, professor of soil erosion and conservation, Cranfield University
Dr Elizabeth Stockdale, head of farming systems research, NIAB
Soil health remains a central focus of agricultural policy and an integral part of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) – but what do healthy soils look like on your farm and how can they contribute to carbon management? What practical steps can growers take to build a healthy soil system that taps into agri-environment financial support and boosts productivity?
Thomas Gent, Founder Gentle Farming and Head of carbon credit sales for Agreena
The resilience of our soils is a crucial part of long term, sustainable agriculture. Farmer Thomas Gent shares his perspective on the latest mechanical and biological soil management techniques implemented on his farming operation in South Lincolnshire in an effort to tackle the challenges presented by environmental extremes.
SEMINAR TWO
Crop Nutrition
11.00-11.50am
SESSION CHAIR: Mark Tucker, Business development and head of agronomy, Yara
Sponsored by YARA
Dr Daniel Kindred, head of agronomics and crop physiology research scientist, ADAS
Nitrogen use efficiency is seen as a key driver of improving farming’s carbon footprint but what does smarter N use look like? How can we regulate N losses and make better use of available nitrogen? With targeted and sustainable crop nutrition programmes often being seen as providing equitable solutions to environmental challenges, crop research scientist Daniel Kindred will share his expertise on how to make better use of available nitrogen. With efficient precision application a Sustainable Farming Initiative action, this session will also look at how new technology could deliver profitable solutions for growers.
Dr Ruben Sakrabani, senior lecturer in soil chemistry, Cranfield University
This session will see expert Dr Ruben Sakrabani provide growers and agronomists with an insight into the potential value of organomineral fertilisers and their role in crop nutrition programmes.
LUNCHTIME DEBATE
Regenerative agriculture
12.30-1.15pm
SESSION CHAIR: Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead, Control Union UK
Sponsored by Horsch
Speakers: Ed Horton, Ben Taylor-Davies “Regen Ben” & Will Goff
Regenerative agriculture potentially offers solutions to pressing challenges around soil health, climate change resilience and sustainability, but scepticism remains around the impact on financial viability. While it is widely acknowledged that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to adoption, growers continue to ask: what does the road to regenerative agriculture look like in practice?
Drawing on the guidance and expertise provided by a cross-section of farmer case studies, we will take a look at what this systems approach means for productivity and profitability on farm, explore the barriers to uptake, and take a hard look at the numbers to ask: does regenerative agriculture pay?
SEMINAR FOUR
Crop protection
2.00-2.50pm
SESSION CHAIR: Chris Hartfield, Senior regulatory affairs adviser, NFU
SPEAKER TBC
With an independent pesticide regulatory regime now in operation following the UK’s departure from the EU, our speaker will share their expertise to take a look at the potential implications for farmers and agronomists.
Hazel Doonan, head of agronomy and crop protection sector, Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC)
The last 12 months has seen the loss of several key crop protection active ingredients, a trend that is set to continue. Pointing to the many challenges the industry currently faces in producing food, alongside environmental and societal constraints, leading expert Hazel Doonan will offer some solutions and explore how new approaches, including IPM and biologicals, could be sufficient to ensure crops are protected safely and profitably.