Places available at Scotland’s new in-person conference for arable farmers

Bookings are now open for Arable Scotland’s new-format in-person conference, taking place on Tuesday 24^th February, 9.30 – 4.30, at the Crop Innovation Centre based at The James Hutton Institute’s Invergowrie campus.

Arable Futures will focus on the real challenges and opportunities facing Scottish arable farming and is designed to provide practical insight, informed discussion and forward thinking for farm businesses planning for the years ahead.

The day will open with an introductory session hosted by the Agriculture and HorticultureDevelopment Board (AHDB), bringing market specialists together to assess what lies ahead for the sector and where genuine opportunities may emerge. This will set the scene for an interactive discussionexploring how the risks and rewards of natural capital investment could realistically be shared across the supply chain – from farm to fork.

In the afternoon, the focus will turn to future-facing crops and systemsthat farmers can begin exploring now to build resilience into their businesses. Case studies will include:

• Flax – Andrew Finchley, SAC Consulting
• Legumes – Kirsty Black, Arbikie Distillery & Farm
• Silvo-arable cropping – speaker to be confirmed
• Markets for novel crop products – Wendy Russell, Rowett Institute

The conference will conclude with a facilitated discussion on the skills and knowledge needed by both established and early-career professionals to capitalise on emerging opportunities and strengthen the long-term resilience of the Scottish arable sector.

Dr Alison Karley, Head of Ecological Sciences at the Hutton and one of the event organisers said, “Arable Futures aims to provide an inclusive, non-judgemental ‘safe space’ for open discussion about the future of Scottish arable farming, ensuring voices from across generations are heard. The event is free to attend and open to everyone with an interest in the arable sector, including those at an early career stage.”

In Case You Missed It:

Farmers called to share voice in Farmstrong Scotland Survey Security alert to farmers as quad bike thefts spike in Scotland World-renowned workplace wellbeing conference comes to Edinburgh New Scottish awards look for the best places to work

Book your place here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arable-futures-tickets-1976460372178?aff=oddtdtcreator

Further details are available here https://www.arablescotland.org.uk/

For more information contact Media Officer, Joyce Reid, [email protected], or on 07931 551 988