| Cereals
Celebrate everything arable at this year ’ s 40th Cereals
Arable margins are tight and prices are volatile , so it ’ s more important than ever for farmers to squeeze every pound out of their crops .
W hether it ’ s through precision machinery , optimum crop choice or using expert advice to produce a more efficient business strategy , there is plenty on offer to help farmers to boost profits at this year ’ s Cereals Event . Bringing together nearly 500 exhibitors to showcase the latest arable innovations , just two weeks remain before the 40th Event gets under way .
“ Visiting Cereals gives arable farmers the opportunity to see what they should do , what they could do and what they would like to do ,” says event organiser Jon Day . “ We ’ ve seen visitors return year after year , whether for the latest technical information , to review and compare machinery or simply for the networking opportunity – Cereals delivers .”
Stretching over 64ha on a working farm and attracting more than 24,000 visitors every year , Cereals is a hub for arable innovation . With so much on offer , here are just five key reasons why visitors won ’ t want to miss Cereals 2017 .
Technology has progressed rapidly over the past few decades and is likely to play a big role in revolutionising farming practices
The Soil Pit This year visitors will see the return of the Soil Pit – albeit larger than ever before – where farmers will have the chance to view crops ‘ underground ’ in the soil profile . With crops such as winter and spring beans as well as
26 | Farming Monthly | June 2017 radish and oat mixes included in this year ’ s pit , experts will be on hand to discuss a variety of topics – including cultivation techniques and rooting habits of different cover crops . Visitors are also encouraged to bring a sample of their own soil to discuss how specific issues can be rectified on their own farms . Working demonstrations
Cereals features millions of pounds worth of static machinery , and there will also be 5ha of working demonstrations where the power , productivity and performance of tractors , cultivators , drills and subsoilers will be put to the test . But it ’ s not just about kit on the ground - The Drone Zone will also feature demonstrations . With an on-site flying cage for short flights as well a nearby crop field for longer flights , visitors will be able to see how drones can be used to collect data and provide real benefits on farm . The Arable Conference
For those wanting to keep up with the latest industry research and news , the Arable Conference will cover a breadth of topics – from Brexit to glyphosate . In association with the De Lacy Executive , the conference will host a range of high calibre speakers including NFU president Meurig Raymond and Liz Bowles , head of farming at the Soil Association .
Regular visitor and # ClubHectare founder , Jono Dixon , says attending the seminars is a must : “ It ’ s a good idea to keep an eye on preshow advertising to see what is being discussed – most seminars are popular and you ’ ll want to arrive early to get a seat .” Knowledge Trails
Bringing together nearly 500 exhibitors , there ’ s a lot to see at Cereals and it can be hard for visitors to condense everything into a single day . This year ’ s event is making it easier for visitors to seek out the information they need , with the introduction of six Knowledge Trails . Visitors will be able to download maps prior to the show to help them pick out exhibitors to visit based on a chosen theme . The topics of this year ’ s trails are :
• Managing blackgrass
• Precision and efficiency
• Adding value and managing costs
• Brexit-proof your business
• Weeds , disease and nutrition
• Getting the most from oilseed rape Fields of the Future
Technology has progressed rapidly over the past few decades and is likely to play a big role in revolutionising farming practices . Giving visitors just a hint of what is in store is the Fields of the Future display . Brand new for 2017 , this area will collate innovations and research from some of the country ’ s leading universities and businesses to showcase exactly what is in the pipeline .
Syngenta , sponsors of the Sprays and Sprayers arena , says that at such an uncertain time for the industry , Cereals helps to put farmers in the best position for the future . “ At such a time of political and economic uncertainty , it ’ s never been more important for farmers to be looking at every aspect of their agronomy and business performance ,” says Cat Gray , communications lead at Syngenta . “ There ’ s no better place than Cereals to get that information .”
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