THE Cereals Event has moved to 30 June – 1 July to accommodate the maximum number of visitors and exhibitors following the Government ’ s announcement of its lockdown exit strategy .

After extensive consultation with both exhibitors and visitors the event team decided it was best to move the dates from 9-10 June to 30 June – 1 July 2021 . “ We began consulting after Boris Johnson ’ s announcement on 22 February to end lockdown restrictions in England by 21 June ,” says event organiser , Alli McEntyre . “ Speaking with exhibitors and visitors , we looked at the choice of having a restricted event in early June or moving the date and potentially having no restrictions , and the majority opted for the latter .

“ We wanted to act quickly in making this decision to give everyone certainty so they can plan ahead ,” she adds . “ This is a really positive move for visitors , exhibitors and the event , as it will maximise the opportunities for all without lockdown restrictions in place .”

The event format will remain the same , meaning visitors can still expect to see a large host of exhibitors , live demonstrations and attend a full seminar programme . Features will include the Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena , Isuzu Driving Course , Crop Plots , NIAB Soil Pit and Drone Zone , as well as many others ( see box ).

“ Though the Government is targeting a full lifting of lockdown restrictions before the new date , we are still planning on prioritising visitor safety and will be taking all necessary precautions , while allowing visitors to enjoy the entire event experience ,” explains Ms McEntytre . “ We realise the change of date may not slot into everyone ’ s schedule , however , moving it to a later date will allow the maximum number of visitors to get the most from the event .”

Soil is fast becoming recognised as one of our most valuable assets – and a key element in the fight against climate change – so how can farmers maximise its potential ?

When growing crops , soil health is at the start of everything , says Vaughn Stansfield , UK manager at UPL . “ It ’ s the foundation upon everything we do and yet it can be the most limiting factor in the chain of crop production when neglected .”

That ’ s why day two of the Cereals seminars will focus exclusively on soils – covering everything from research into the microbiome to drainage , regenerative farming , and carbon measurement tools . “ Healthy soils equate to healthy profits – both from crop production and the trading of natural capital ,” explains event organiser Alli McEntyre . “ We want to give visitors the latest information and practical tools from researchers , scientists and award-winning farmers .”

Visitors will also be able to get beneath the ground to examine soil structure in the NIAB Soil Pit , and get the latest advice in the new Drainage Demo area .

As seminar sponsor at Cereals , UPL is putting sustainability clearly on the agenda . “ As an

industry and globally , we are looking to move forward in a sustainable manner , but it needs to be done profitably , and these two things aren ’ t mutually exclusive ,” explains Mr Stansfield .

Focusing on soil health isn ’ t just about growing better crops : With the changes to farm payments and the evolution of carbon offsetting schemes , it poses multiple opportunities to farmers .

Organisations like LEAF ( Linking Environment and Farming ) have been working to deliver sustainability for over 30 years so there ’ s a wealth of experience to draw from . “ We are increasingly seeing nature-based opportunities , where nature is core in driving improved soil health ,” says Caroline Drummond , CEO at LEAF . “ We cannot just look at policy to drive this change – first and foremost there needs to be control of this from a business perspective .”

A good starting point for farmers is to review the past two harvests , advises George Badger , partner at Ceres Rural . “ Farm profitability fell by an estimated 14 % last year , highlighting the vulnerability of break crops failing . And with 2021 bringing a 12 % or more reduction in Basic Payment , this transition period could be a window for on-farm changes .

Theatres

Event theatres & features :

AHDB Theatre and Recommended List presentations

Young Farmers Sustainable Solutions Theatre

Market & Farm Diversification Theatre

DIT British Innovation Theatre

“ All farmers acknowledge there is room for improvement in their business , and our advice is to focus on improving soils and their resilience over the next five years and beyond .”

This could be through cropping choices and rotation , such as the recent resurgence in spring wheat plantings . “ A shift to a seven or eight year rotation , with half of this wheat , but also including beans , grass and fallow , could stack up in terms of weed control ,” explains Mr Badger .

Soil health can also be improved through creating a system less reliant on inputs – but this needs to be done without reducing productivity . “ Changing cultivation practice is

Features

Syngenta Sprays & Sprayers Arena

Isuzu Driving Course

Crop Plots

NIAB Soil Pit

Cover Crops Drilling Demos

Inter-row Weeding Demos

NAAC Drainage Area

not as simple as buying a direct drill – a key lesson on heavy land is taking time to adapt it and not shocking the system ,” he adds .

Cover crops have their own benefits in terms of soil structure , water and nutrient retention , as well as helping to build organic matter . However , cover crops may not work for every farm , every year .

One tricky aspect of exploring how best to improve soils is that no farm can afford to have a season of crop failure through unsuccessful experimentation , he says . “ So the most successful will be those who implement trials and have a good team involved , as well as those who knowledge share and learn from their neighbours .