‘Turning a Corner: Building the Future of Farming’
Leading thinkers, farmers and opinion shapers be at Hexham Auction Mart on Wednesday 4 November to explore key elements to farming success in what is an ever-changing operating context to exploring key themes:
· Managing profitable farm businesses and taking control of the future
· Capitalising on global market opportunities
· Investing in people, skills and talent
Farming has been through a difficult and uncertain decade — Brexit, the pandemic, changing support schemes, global conflict, inflation, trade pressures and shifting government policy have all created huge challenges for farm businesses.
But those who have adapted are becoming stronger, more resilient and more focused on building profitable, sustainable businesses for the future. With greater independence comes both opportunity and risk.
The future of farming will be shaped by innovation, technology, artificial intelligence, data and scientific advances — but people remain at the centre of successful businesses. Strong leadership, skilled teams and attracting new talent into the industry are just as important as good soils and livestock.
This conference will explore how farming businesses can adapt, grow and unlock new profitable opportunities across agriculture and land use. It will focus on practical business thinking, global market opportunities, people, skills and the future talent needed to keep the industry thriving.
This year’s top-notch speakers (pics available on request) include:
· Gavin Lane, CLA President (Country Land and Business Association)
· Tom Bradshaw, NFU President (National Farmers Union)
· George Dunn, TFA CEO (Tenant Farmers Association)
· Adam Bedford (Session Chair), FERA Science
· Defra representative (invited/tbc)
· Jonathan Eckley, Director of International Trade Development at AHDB
· Freddie Humfrey, Head of Grain Trading at ADM Agriculture
· Anna Jones, rural affairs journalist, author, educator, and founder of Just Farmers™
Farmer Panelists:
· Jamie Leslie – mixed farmer, Scholland Farm, Shetland
· Joe Nelless – livestock farmer, Thistleyhaugh Farm near Morpeth
· Alix Richie – livestock farmer, Farmstrong Scotland Director and Perthshire livestock farmer
· David Cross, West Norfolk farmer
· Jen Oglesby (Chair), Farmer at Colt Park Farm, near Rothbury
This annual event is one of the most prestigious events in the North, attracting well over 200 farmers, industry experts and thinkers to network, listen and question a super line up of speakers.
Conference Chair, Samantha Charlton, Owner and Founder, Planning for Profit said:
“We’re really looking forward to welcoming another brilliant line-up of speakers to this year’s conference. As always, the day will be about looking at the things that really matter to farming businesses – building profitable businesses, understanding the markets ahead, and having the people, skills and talent we need to make good decisions and create opportunities. This year’s conference is about helping us look beyond the immediate challenges and think about what we can do to build businesses for a future that we want.”
The event is renowned for its mix of formal and informal debate and has cemented its position as the ‘go-to’ conference for the farming sector in the North.
The conference is a joint venture between Armstrong Watson, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Hexham and Northern Marts, HSBC, Womble Bond Dickinson, Youngs RPS and the Soil Association.
The Conference’s Chartable Partner this year is the Farming Community Network.
For more information and to register please visit: www.northernfarmingconference.org.uk
Direct registration link: www.bit.ly/4ylO67N
To get the latest conference news and updates, follow @NorthFarmConf on X.
