Extensive seminar programme aims to satisfy thirst for knowledge

• Range of keynote arable speakers

• Topics include latest Defra updates

• Private funding for green schemes

Cereals has a wealth of seminars this year – with opportunities to question politicians, environmental service providers and growers who have decided to adopt regenerative farming methods.

The main stage starts with a session looking at privately funded environment incentives, with presentations on ecosystem services that provide farmers with new income to deliver greater biodiversity, protect wildlife species or curb pollution.

Accurate and statistically robust soil carbon measurement is fundamental to the success of everyone who is accounting for or trading soil carbon, explains Annie Leeson, chief executive at AgriCarbon.

Ms Leeson will lead a seminar explaining the methods needed to implement affordable, auditable, and statistically robust on-farm carbon measurement strategies at scale.

“We need to remove uncertainty in all stages of the process, from sampling strategy to sample collection, processing and analysis. Our mission is to provide confidence in soil carbon sequestration by providing a solid foundation of evidence from the field.”

Industry leaders

Farmers also have an opportunity to quiz politicians and industry leaders – including Defra farm minister Mark Spencer and NFU president Minette Batters – on issues ranging from food security to trade deals.

These sessions are likely to cover grant schemes, new arable and farm management technologies and everything in between. The goal is to uncover what the government is doing to shape opportunities and forge a better future for British growers.

Farming speakers will provide new insights and practical experience of the benefits of circular and regenerative farming methods. A seminar on ‘great soils, great crops’  will see soil scientists discuss their research.

Keynote speaker and LEAF farmer John Renner will explain how he has improved his low-grade land to such an extent that it is now part of a high-yielding arable rotation.

“I tailor soil management and fertility to individual fields and rotations,” he says.

“Non-inversion tillage, added organic matter and crop selection to enhance soil structure are key.”

Defra schemes

A further session on publicly funded environmental incentives will be led by Defra future farming programme director Janet Hughes. She will provide an update on the government’s land management schemes to encourage greater on-farm biodiversity, landscape and wildlife protection.

New technology and climate change will also be key topics. A new feature for 2023 will looki at ways precision farming can pay for itself. It will explore best practice in precision farming with progressive farmers, advisers, and precision technologists.

The first session will looks at ‘must-see machines to help you farm more precisely’, including nitrogen sensors, spray nozzles, protein monitors and variable seed rate drills.

Speakers will include AgAnalyst precision technologist Clive Blacker, BBLeap founder and precision spray expert Peter Millenaar and Yara head of agronomy and business development Mark Tucker.

At the new Cereals Stories stage, first-time farmers will tell their stories about how they got into the industry – and what they have contributed and continue to give back.

Speakers include Cereals host farmer Gregor Pierrepont, discussing his family connection to the Multiple System Atrophy Trust; farm contractor and influencer Olly Harrison; and NFU student and Young Farmers’ ambassador Erin McNaught.

For full seminar programme details, visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk