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THE NATONAL FARM MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE  - WHAT IS THE FARM FOR ?

The UK farming sector has gone through an unprecedented series of supply chain shocks over the last five years, from the impact of Brexit, COVID and now the consequences of the tragic situation in the Ukraine. Agri food market drivers including both the “policy push” coming out of Defra and the devolved nations and the “commercial pull” from leading players in  the supply chain are all pointing in the same direction - towards a more environmentally friendly and sustainable manner going forwards.

The annual Farm Management Conference organised by the Institute of Agricultural Management is being held on November in London at the QEII Centre. It will address some of the key issues that face UK and international farming, including the role of regenerative type farming systems and the use of modern agri tech. 

Research undertaken by the Institute leading up to this event has shown that 90% of farmers believe that these two issue are entirely compatible, but there is still lots of work to be dome on how this can be most effectivity implemented.

The speaker programme is packed full of leading experts in this area and includes Oxford University’s Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Sam Hall, from the Conservative Environment Network and Will Jennings, CEO of Rabobank in the UK, who will set the scene for the important debates about regenerative agriculture and agri-tech which will follow.

The varied programme also then includes a range of speakers, such as Martin Davies, CEO of Nuveen Natural Capital, the world’s largest institutional manager of farmland and Aidan Connolley, a leading US-based expert on the future of agri-tech, from Kincannon and Reed.

Speaking ahead of the conference, the Institute’s current Chair, Carl Atkin - House, has commented:

“……the NFM Conference is one of our flag ship events of the year and we are expecting 400 of our members and guests to attend. The event is open to both members and non-members of the Institute.  All are very welcome to attend and this is recommended. The UK farming sector faces enormous challenge at the moment, but this also means that there are huge opportunities who are well informed as to the key issues of the day. This is what the NFM in November will shed light on. We have a stellar line up of speakers.  We believe that there will be “something for everybody”  on the day when we debate and discuss the intriguing theme: ‘What is the farm for? Technology v Tradition: The Future of Agricultural & Environmental Management.’ This year’s conference promises to take a deep dive into pressing questions around the purpose of farms in light of the climate crisis, and the convergence of regenerative agriculture with modern agri-tech”.

Majority of farming industry believes regenerative agriculture and agri-tech can work together

A return to regenerative agricultural practices can work in harmony with the use of agri-technology, according to 89% of respondents to a recent survey.

The survey, carried out by The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) ahead of the annual National Farm Management Conference in November, also found 86% of farmers and agricultural industry professionals believe cost is the biggest barrier to the use of technology on-farm.

When asked what they believe will cause the biggest disruption to agricultural and environmental management in the years ahead, 49% cited economic uncertainty, and 46% said climate change.

The majority of respondents said they were already using regenerative practices, with 61% using minimal or no-till, 48% using diverse cropping rotations, 44% integrating livestock into arable systems, and 29% providing constant soil cover through the use of stubble or cover crops.

It was a similar picture for the uptake of technology, with 63% using farm management planning and recording software, 45% using telematics and GPS tracking, 42% using livestock technology, and 41% using precision agronomic support systems.

IAgrM chairman, Carl Atkin-House, says it is interesting to see such a high proportion of respondents agree that regenerative agriculture and technology can work together.

“At this year’s National Farm Management Conference we’re planning to explore the relationship between regenerative agriculture, which often encompasses a return to the less-used traditional aspects of farming practices, and technology,” adds Mr Atkin-House.

“From the survey results, it’s clear that these two could go very much hand-in-hand, as demonstrated by the vast majority of respondents believing so. But it’s clear that we need to work out how this could work in reality, with costs of technology being so high on the agenda for many.”

The National Farm Management Conference takes place at the QEII Centre in London on 7 November 2023.

The conference title for this year is ‘What is the farm for? Technology v Tradition: The Future of Agricultural & Environmental Management.’ The opening session focuses on to the two biggest challenges facing humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss – which are compounded by an increasingly economically uncertain environment. 

Speakers including Oxford University’s Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Sam Hall, from the Conservative Environment Network and Will Jennings, CEO of Rabobank in the UK, who will set the scene for the important debates about regenerative agriculture and agri-tech which will follow.

The varied programme includes a range of speakers, such as Martin Davies, CEO of Nuveen Natural Capital, the world’s largest institutional manager of farmland, and Aidan Connolley, a leading US-based expert on the future of agri-tech, from Kincannon and Reed.

For a full list of speakers, more details about the conference, or to book your space, please visit https://www.iagrm.com/conference/conference-summary

What is the farm for? IAgrM National Farm Management Conference returns

The annual National Farm Management Conference, organised by The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), is returning to the QEII Centre in London on Tuesday 7 November, 2023.
 
With the intriguing theme: ‘What is the farm for? Technology v Tradition: The Future of Agricultural & Environmental Management,’ this year’s conference promises to take a deep dive into pressing questions around the purpose of farms in light of the climate crisis, and the convergence of regenerative agriculture with modern agri-tech.

Hear insights from industry experts

The conference boasts an impressive lineup of industry experts who will share thought-provoking discussions and perspectives to unpack the central theme.
 
Sessions and speakers include:

• Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Oxford University: Exploring the issue of agriculture as both problem and solution for climate change
• Sam Hall, director of the Conservative Environment Network: Discussing strategies to reverse biodiversity loss caused by intensive agriculture
• Will Jennings, CEO, Rabobank: Providing a macroeconomic overview of farming and supply chain industries
• Joseph Keating, Co-op Agricultural Manager: Leading a session on how regenerative food production can impact supply chain procurement policies
• Regenerative Farmers and Agronomists: Including Paul Carrott, Will Oliver, Paul Cherry, and Ed Brown, head of Agroecology at Hutchinsons, who will share their experiences on implementing regenerative farming at scale
• Aidan Connolly, Managing Director, Kincannon and Reed: Offering a transatlantic take on agricultural technology from the USA.
• Sarah Bell, British Farm Data Council: Discussing the ownership of farm data

Addressing climate change and biodiversity loss

The conference will tackle two critical issues facing humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss. By exploring the relationship between food production and environmental protection, attendees will gain valuable insights into how agriculture can balance these demands and contribute to solving these challenges.

Regenerative farming: transforming agriculture and supply chains

Are we seeing a return to traditional farming with the emergence of the regenerative movement? Experts will discuss how farmers can transition to regenerative practices, including the impact on food supply chains, procurement policies and practical examples of successful transformations.

Opportunities and challenges with technology

Debating technology's role in agriculture will be a key focus, examining the opportunities and barriers preventing its widespread adoption. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how technology is revolutionising farming and shaping the industry.

A golden opportunity to network, be inspired and expand your knowledge

The National Farm Management Conference 2023 offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and contribute to discussions on the most pressing issues at the forefront of agriculture. Don't miss this groundbreaking event that seeks to balance food production and environmental stewardship.

National Farm Management Conference set to debate “What is the Farm For?”  

The annual National Farm Management Conference run by The Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) will return this year to the QEII Centre in London on 7 November 2023.

The conference title this year is ‘What is the farm for? Technology v Tradition: The Future of Agricultural & Environmental Management’ and will explore how the twin strategies of regenerative agriculture and the use of modern agri-tech can work together.

“Are we going to have farms that produce lots of food, or farms that respond to the public goods for public services? What is a farm for? Is it there to produce food or public services?” questions Victoria Bywater, national director of IAgrM.

It is hoped the conference will help answer these key questions and look at how food production and environmental protection can work to solve two of the most critical issues facing humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss.

The packed one-day event comprises of a stellar line-up of speakers from across the industry and includes:

• Opening the conference, Professor Sir Charles Godfray, from Oxford University, will talk about how agriculture is both a problem and solution for climate change
• Sam Hall, director of the Conservative Environment Network, will then discuss how farmers can stop and reverse biodiversity loss caused by intensive agriculture
• Will Jennings, the CEO of Rabobank in the UK will give a macroeconomic overview of the situation in farming and supply chain industries
• Representatives from the food supply chain have also been invited to discuss how regenerative food production might affect procurement policies, with Joseph Keating, Co-op agriculture manager, leading this session.

Also on the agenda are regenerative farmers, including Paul Carrott, Will Oliver and Paul Cherry, as well as agronomists, such as Ed Brown, head of agroecology at Hutchinsons, will bring a boots-on-the-ground perspective to discuss how they have made the transformation and are making it work at a scale.

And bringing a transatlantic view of technology from the USA, will be managing director of Kincannon and Reed, Aidan Connolly.

Finally, the conference will explore the role technology plays in agriculture and the opportunities and challenges it presents as well as what barriers preventing farmers the adoption of new technology. For example, Sarah Bell, from the British Farm Data Council, will also be discussing ownership of data.

Carl Atkin-House, chairman of IAgrM says: “We have a fantastic line-up of speakers throughout the day. For farmers and ancillary industries involved in agriculture and food, this conference is not to be missed. It will address one of the burning questions on everyone’s lips and look at how agriculture can maintain food production while delivering environmental policies set out by the government.”

 

The comprehensive list of speakers for the IAgrM National Farm Management Conference 2023:

• Phil Bicknell, Director, Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL)

• Sarah Bell, British Farm Data Council, NFU Council and the Agrimetrics Advisory board
• Ed Brown, Head of Agroecology, H L Hutchinson Ltd
• Mark Buckingham, Director of Corporate Engagement, Bayer Crop Science
• Paul Carrott, Farm Manager, Dyson Farming Ltd
• Dr Madhvi Chanrai, Regenerative Farmer, Somerset
• Paul Cherry, Pioneering Regenerative Farmer and Founder, Groundswell Agriculture
• Aidan Connolly, President, AgriTech Capital and Principal at Kincannon Reed
• Martin Davies, Global Head of Nuveen Natural Capital
• Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Director Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food, Oxford University
• Sam Hall, Director, Conservative Environment Network
• Will Jennings, Chief Executive, Rabobank UK
• Joseph Keating, Senior Agriculture Manager, Co-op
• Flavian Obiero, Tenant Framer at Tynefield Farm
• Will Oliver, Partner, A.H.Oliver & Son Farmers
• The Rt Hon Lord Taylor of Holbeach, President, Institute of Agricultural Management
• Paul Vernon, Chief Executive, Glanbia Cheese

Join us to hear from an esteemed line-up of speakers, industry leaders, and influential academics who will share their insights, knowledge, and visions for the future of farm management. This is a golden opportunity to expand your knowledge, network with your peers, and get inspired about the future of agriculture.

Don't miss your chance to be a part of this groundbreaking event. Bookings are now open! Secure your place at the forefront of agricultural management by registering today.

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For any queries related to booking or the event, feel free to contact us at events@iagrm.com

We look forward to seeing you at the IAgrM National Farm Management Conference 2023!