Arable Horizons Agenda 2019

Morning agenda

10.00
Registration, networking & coffee

10.20
Introduction to the day
Karl Schneider, Farmers Weekly Editorial Director

10.30
Water and agriculture – threats and opportunities
Ian Barker, Water Policy International

Outlining the challenges faced by UK agriculture in relation to water availability and present some opportunities for farmers to improve water use while benefitting the environment and wider society.

11.00
Panel Discussion: Planning for future water demand
Chair: Ian Barker, Water Policy International
Paul Hammet, NFU Water Specialist
Steve Moncaster, Water Resources East
Andrew Blenkiron, Host farmer

11.45
TBC

Afternoon agenda

12.15
Lunch & networking

13.00
Farm walk with Euston Estate

Euston Estate is one of the most drought stressed regions of the UK, receiving relatively little rainfall and light and sandy Breckland soils dominating its land area. It has invested heavily in irrigation infrastructure to secure water supplies for the potato and vegetable crops grown across the farm.

Attendees will be shown some of the recent projects and discuss future prospects for the business in relation to water use.

14.00
Tools to increase resilience of UK cropping systems
Dave King, Syngenta

Focusing on the tools needed to increase the resilience of UK cereals and drought management, touching on all aspects of crop agronomy.

14.30
Water stress and plant breeding – where next?
Eric Ober, NIAB

15.00
Conference summary
Karl Schneider, Farmers Weekly, Editorial Director

*Agenda subject to change