Future of Farming

Cultivating sustainability; looking after ourselves, the environment and our businesses

The Future of Farming area and theatre will once again be an important feature of the Royal Three Counties Show thanks to our returning sponsors Virgin Money and Lightsource bp.

It will provide specialist, farmers and special guests in panels on stage and hosted networking sessions over the three days of the show bringing together farmers, professional, those based in agriculture and land-based professions as well as working to inform all visitors to the show about agriculture and its role.

Business, environmental and personal sustainability and resilience will form the heart of our three days, supported by The Rural Planning Co and others. With expert insight speakers together with farmer case studies of business and technical excellence, to share applicable, relevant, applied actions and technology.

The Future of Farming area and theatre will enable visitors to enhance their skills and knowledge or to keep their skills and knowledge up to date (hopefully with associated BASIS points) as well as provide a social space for farmers, agricultural and land based professional at the show.

Sessions are currently being worked on to cover the following themes over the three days of the show:

Using trends and data to make decisions
Developing ourselves and our resilience
Making the best use of farm buildings and infrastructure
Benefits to the farmer of getting to net zero
Succession planning – building a team of professionals and support around you
Biodiversity net gain
Cattle – part of the solution, not the problem
Positive messaging in agriculture
Working to better water quality
Better Soil health for better farming and environment
Using you land in different ways
Career paths in and around agriculture
What farmers do well

Draft timetable

	Friday

9.30	Welcome
9.40	Local Nature Recovery and Biodiversity net gain	Katy McGuinness, Head of Environmental Planning, Northern Europe, Lightsource bp • What does ‘good’ look like • How can it help your business • Look at what farmers are doing • 3 counties Local Nature Recovery Strategy
10.30	Royal Three Counties Show Opening Ceremony & Long Service Awards
11.30	Using Trends to Make Decisions	Using the data farmers collect and have access to, to make business decisions. Ian Hewett, Managing Director, Livestock Information Ltd. Ben Thompson, Hartpury Agri Tech Centre • Benchmarking and KPIs • How you can use industry data to support your business. Ben Butler, Co-founder, Soil Benchmark • How other industries and sectors use data to be more effective
12.15	Making the most of your Farm Assets	Join us as we embark on a virtual farm tour with a panel of experts who can help you enhance your assets and create additional income • Creating a robust farm business • Farm asset opportunities • Virtual tour of farm with panel of experts to discuss options. Oliver Maxey, Regional Head of Agriculture – England, Virgin Money. Hannah Moule, Founder and Planning Consultant, The Rural Planning Company. Ben Allman, Partner and COO, Ballards LLP. Antony Pearce, Partner, Dudley Peverill Associates. Stephen Kenyon, Regional Director Rural West England & Wales, Howden
13.15	Networking – The Rural Planning Company
13.45	Benefits to the farmer of being better for the environment/net zero/carbon story	Benefits to the farmer of reducing On-farm GHG emissions; what and where to focus. Harley Stoddard, Head of Climate Mitigation Science, Defra • How farmers can play their part and monetise. Brian Richardson, UK Head of Agriculture, Virgin Money
14:30	Networking (available)
15.00	Cattle – part of the solution, not the problem	Reducing the environmental impact of livestock production o Intensive and extensive livestock system • Impact of health and welfare. Dr Lisa Morgans, Vet and Senior Lecturer in Animal Health & Welfare, The Royal Agricultural University. Professor Jude Capper, ABP Chair of Sustainable Beef and Sheep Production, Harper Adam University. Arran Redman, Soils and Natural Resources Advisor, Innovation for Agriculture and Royal Agricultural Society of England. Chair – Paul Westaway, Melview Farming
16:00	Networking – Farmers Club

	Saturday

9.30	Welcome – Networking (available)
10.00	Water quality	How we and improve water quality and our businesses. David Johnson, Technical Director, Rivers Trust
11.00	An audience with Matt Baker
12.00	Networking (available)
12.30	Soil Health	What farmers can do and why it’s important to farm businesses as well as the environment
13.15	Networking (available)
13.45	Succession; getting the right people to help you find the best way	Lucie Hammond, Partner, Hazlewoods Jon Johnson, Managing Director, Mountain Perspective Chaired by Iain Morrison, Partner, MFG Solicitors LLP
14.30	Alternative Land Uses	What are the options and what does this mean for you. Declan Keiley, Head of Development, UK & Ireland, Lightsource bp • Solar panels • Alternative crops such as trees • SFI/environmental schemes • Public access • Carbon markets
15.15	Networking (available)
15.30	Positive Messaging in Agriculture	Positive messaging – Social media Ally Hunter Blair, Farmer • Social media coaching • What works well, types of messages, how to respond negativity • What farmers are doing well, showing all sides of farming Ruthie Peterson, TIAH • Positive messaging – working with schools • Hosting groups on farm • Farmer facetime • NFU Farmers for Schools
16.30	Six inches of Soil screening TBC

	Sunday

10.20	Welcome
10.30	Using different business models and entry points to grow success	Using contractors as part of your farming business. Jill Hewitt, CEO, The National Association of Agricultural Contractors •Contract farming •Joint ventures •Machinery sharing •Relationships, governance and contracts o Method of entry points into farming too
11.15	An audience with Kaleb Cooper
12.00	Developing ourselves and those we work with for better resilience and mental health	Gemma Johnson, Director, Mountain Perspective • The importance of developing yourself and your team • Metal health and personal resilience • Skills development, team skills matrix/mix • Phil Vickery with former SAS type? •Developing others
12.45	John Craven Q&A and Book Signing
13.45	Getting into Agriculture	Getting none-farmers into farming and developing your career in the diversity of agricultural roles. Jonathan Powell, Agricultural Business Manager, Virgin Money • Careers – range and access, signposting • Careers in farming – Getting none-farmers into farming • Non-farming careers in agriculture • Careers in the countryside
14.45	JB Gill – an audience with and book signing
15.45	Six inches of Soil screening TBC

If you would like to be involved in the Future of Farming Theatre, please email helena.grant@threecounties.co.uk

If you would like updates about the Future of Farming Theatre as we draw closer to the show please complete the form here.