| Cereals
Cereals 2018 is all about change. From the structure of the event itself to preparing businesses for changes ahead of
Brexit, there is an abundance of new features and advice at this year’s event (13-14 June).
e have made
significant, positive
alterations to both
the content and
layout of the event
to ensure it meets
the needs of our most important
people: arable farmers and
agronomists,” explains Jon Day,
event director.
These changes have been
based on feedback from farmer
and exhibitor advisory boards,
which were formed at the end of
last year. Cambridgeshire farmer,
Ralph Parker, has been attending
the event for over 20 years and
says getting growers involved is a
very sensible option. “It’s essential
that farmers have an input
because the show is for them. The
better the show is, the better it is
for farmers.”
The experience will begin the
moment visitors set foot on the
site, thanks to the new Innovation
Entrances, which provide a
preview of some of the exciting
technology and ideas across the
event site. “We want a visit to
Cereals to be inspiring from start
to finish – not just while looking
around exhibitor stands,” explains
Mr Day. “Therefore, some of the
latest arable innovations will be
highlighted at both of the visitor
entrances – giving farmers a
flavour of what they can expect to
see and hear during the day.”
Other new features at this year’s
event will include Cereals
Controversial and Cereals
Conversations. These seminars
are replacing the popular Arable
Conference, splitting into two
W
areas to give visitors a greater
depth of knowledge. Cereals
Controversial will include panel
debates with politicians and
leading industry officials – and will
be a hub for discussion on the
hottest topics in the sector. In the
Cereals Conversations marquee,
talks will take a more technical and
practical approach, arming visitors
with the latest scientific knowledge
and research to put into action.
In response to feedback from
farmers, topics include: Business
resilience, the future of the supply
chain with no subsidies, artificial
intelligence and emerging weed
control strategies.
Knowledge transfer
opportunities continue with new,
guided tours led by industry
professionals. Expert guides will
take groups of visitors on a
curated tour of exhibitors and
event features relating to specific
themes – covering everything from
Recommended List varieties to soil
management and innovation in
actions. Additional BASIS and
NRoSO CPD will be available from
a range of exhibitors across the
site.
Of course, many existing
favourites will also make a return
to the event, including the Soil Pit.
Sponsored by NIAB, the pit has
become an integral part of
Cereals, allowing farmers to get
below ground to understand some
of the most complex and
interrelated problems they face.
Soil health and management
has been highlighted in the news
recently, with Michael Gove’s
proposal to incentivise minimum
30 | Farming Monthly | May 2018
tillage practices. Whether through
mechanical practices or cropping
choice, there are many options
available for improving soil
structure. Plenty of the latest
cutting-edge kit will be on display,
and experts from AHDB, NIAB and
Yara will be on hand to arm
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