Current programme
09.00 Registration and refreshments
09.30 Welcome and introduction
09.45 Better Soils
There are more field labs on soil than on any other topic, so it feels appropriate to start the day from the ground up. Hear the latest on soil-themed field labs, ask soil scientists about existing research, and plan what farmer-led research should be discovering next about our soils.
Speakers: Adrian Hares (Roundhill Farm), Phillip Hubbert (Jepco), Edward Scott (Riverford Organic Farmers) Richard Suddes (South Farm) and researcher, Dr Lydia Smith (NIAB)
Chair: David Gardner (Innovation for Agriculture)
11.00 Refreshments
After you’ve heard what the presenters have to say, speak to them about how their idea could work for your own farm business.
11.45 Cover crops and diverse leys
Cover crops and diverse leys can help protect soil, build organic matter, reduce leaching, control weeds and have countless other advantages. But they can be tricky to manage, and the costs are often easier to count than the benefits. What are the secrets to making the best of them? Farmers will share what results they are having above and below ground.
Speakers: Ali Capper (Stocks Farm), Luppo Diepenbroek and researcher, Anna Thomson (Reading University)
Chair: Ian Wilkinson (Cotswold Seeds)
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Sector sessions: Arable, Livestock and Horticulture
In the afternoon, we will break out into 3 separate sessions. Similar to the earlier sessions, you will hear from farmers testing ideas across the country. These short sessions will give you an insight into farmers experiences of trialling techniques on their own farm across the arable, livestock and horticulture sectors.
Some speakers include: Andrew Blenkiron (Euston Estate), Paul Redmore (Neston Park Farm), Andrew Horton (Bookhanger Farm), Andy King (Coombe Farm), Iain Tolhurst (Tohurst Organics), Sam Durham (NFU)
15.20 Closing words and refreshments
16.00 Close
Sheepdrove Road
Lambourn
Hungerford, BRK RG17 7UU.
United Kingdom
