2016-10-28 |
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Farming Minister to Speak at Northern Farming Conference
Farming Minister George Eustice will be in Hexham on Wednesday 9 November to 2016 speak to farmers and land managers at this year’s Northern Farming Conference.
Having first spoken at the event three years ago, Mr Eustice will return to update delegates on the Government’s plans for the food and farming industry following the vote to leave the European Union.
Farming Minister George Eustice
The theme of this year’s Northern Farming Conference is Farming: Where I see my future. Leading farmers working at the cutting edge of agriculture will be sharing their knowledge and experience.
David Blacker farms around 800 hectares of a mix of family-owned, rented and stubble to stubble contracts just north of York. He is particularly interested in precision farming and improving the organic matter and structure of his soil. Using the latest sensor technology, he is able to precisely measure a crop’s nitrogen requirement as the tractor passes across the field and to vary the fertilizer application rate accordingly.
Anthony Carroll of award-winning Carroll’s Heritage Potatoes in Northumberland will also be taking the stage. In the 1990s, Anthony and his wife Lucy started growing older potato varieties, including Pink Fir Apple 1950 and Red King Edward 1916. They took their traditional variety potatoes to market and received a positive response, from which their customer base has expanded year on year and now includes renowned chef Terry Laybourne of the 21 Hospitality Group.
Other speakers include: former NFU President Peter Kendall, CLA President Ross Murray, Cumbrian dairy farmer and Nuffield Scholar, Robert Craig and Wagyu beef producer, James Thornton.
Conference Chairman Andrew Robinson said: “Following the vote to leave Europe, there is a huge amount of uncertainty within the agricultural sector and this conference will be a rare opportunity to hear leading industry figures and farmers discuss the key issues facing agriculture."
Now in its seventh year, the Northern Farming Conference aims to give farmers the chance to consider how best to progress their businesses over the next few years.
The conference is a joint venture between the CLA, Strutt & Parker, Bond Dickinson, Armstrong Watson, Catchment Sensitive Farming, Gibson & Co Solicitors and Hexham and Northern Marts.
