The Royal Show - Visiting - Seminar & Conference

10am to midday. Every Day of the Royal Show!

Come along to network, for refreshments and to join the debate about farming’s big issues.

The debates are free to all Royal Show visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

PANELLIST
BIOGRAPHY

Tuesday 7th July - Food Price: the issues and implications for UK farmers (in partnership with DG Agricutlure)

How does retail food price impact farm gate prices, what are the predictions for food prices during the recession and how can farmers respond to the fluctuations?

A perfect opportunity to put your questions to politicians, retail experts and food trade representatives.

1000-10.30 - Registration and tea/coffee for delegates

10.30-12.00 Debate session

Chairman, Cedric Porter, Supply Intelligence

Panellists:

1. John Bensted-Smith, Director, EU Commission
2. Neil Parish, MEP
3. Peter Kendall, NFU
4. Richard Warburton, Partner, Head of Agribusiness, Bidwells
5. Teresa Wickham

Topic discussions:

Commodity prices

1. Commodity price predictions into the medium and longer term.
2. Living with commodity price volatility.
3. The shift away from price support to free markets.
4. Ensuring that increased production doesn’t destroy environments or long term production capacity.

Fresh produce, meat, eggs and dairy

1. Domestic and international factors affecting price and range of these produce areas in the UK
2. The current supply/demand overview in these areas and the impact of the recession on prices

Input prices

1. High input prices and their effect on production.
2. The finite nature of some inputs.
3. Alternatives to existing inputs.

Consumer prices

1. Guaranteeing supplies through steadily rising prices.
2. The social and economic effects of food inflation
3. What are consumers prepared to pay for?

PANELLIST
BIOGRAPHY

Wednesday 8th July – The Energy Gap: profiting from on-farm energy generation (Sponsored by North East Biofuels Ltd in partnership with Energy Now magazine)

Northeast Biofuels is a consortium (cluster) of member companies, whose goal is to establish and promote the north east of England as the premier biofuels hub in the UK. Each member company represents each link in the biofuels supply chain

Energy – a huge political, environmental and financial quandary.  What are the opportunities and issues for farmers looking to produce and profit from energy production and supply?

Find out from energy specialists about the markets, the science and the practicalities of on-farm energy production.

10.30 John Reynolds, Chairman and Scene-setting - Presentation

10.35 John Seymour, Rural Affairs Spokesman, North-East Biofuels - Presentation
Covering – overview of the biofuels market in the context of market demands for biofuel crops, energy policy and biofuels capacity in the UK.

10.55 Richard Williams, Walker Smith Way
Richard will discuss implementing a bio-energy enterprise on-farm – the capital, planning and practical aspects of bio-based energy enterprises.

11.15 Dr Angela Karp, Rothamsted Research - Presentation
Angela leads one of the programmes in BSBEC on Perennial bioenergy crops (plant-based energy sources). She will discuss this work and the BBSRC Bio-energy Centre http://www.bsbec.bbsrc.ac.uk/ and how these technologies could benefit farmers.

11.35 Audience discussion and panel debate on bio-energy opportunities and issues for UK farmers

12.00 Debate close

PANELLIST
BIOGRAPHY

Thursday 9th July – Understanding consumers and engaging with the food chain              

The British food chain is sophisticated, innovative and it is changing. What can we learn from consumer buying behaviour? How is British produce fairing in the economic downturn? And what are the opportunities for our farmers?

Quiz our panel of marketing, local sourcing and producer group speakers to find out more.

10.30 Emma Penny, Editor Farmers Guardian Chairman and Scene-setting

10.35 John Giles, Divisional Director of Promar International’s Strategic Consulting division
"Understanding and Engaging with the Food Chain"
John works for Promar International, a farm and agri-food consultancy business, part of Genus plc. Promar's multi-million pound business specialises in research and consultancy in the agricultural and agri-food sectors both in the UK and worldwide. John will be presenting on "Understanding and Engaging with the Food Chain". In particular John will be focussing on niche markets, role of discounters in the downturn, International developments we should be aware of, what retailers expect and engaging with the supply chain. - Presentation

10.55 Ros Seals, 2012 Olympics
The Olympics, a British Food Opportunity?
There is a British food revolution being driven through the 2012 Olympics – which has started by feeding all the contractors building the venues. Ros Seal who works for the Olympic Delivery Authority is working in conjunction with Sustain (see www.sustainweb.org) to encourage all Olympics caterers to supply as much good quality and locally sourced food as possible – so that it ticks the British, quality/sustainable boxes, but also addresses the supply of more healthy meals to replace the usual fry-up/chips diet for which builders are renowned! Ros and Sustain are hoping that the caterers will join forces to source good quality raw ingredients i.e. free range pork for bacon, free range British eggs etc.

11.15 Henriette Reinders, MD of Food & Drink from the South East
Supplying London Wholesale Markets
Henriette and her team is trying to encourage farmers within a 100 mile radius of London to supply London wholesale markets – and encouraging London markets to engage with British farmers. This is a very good case study of what can be achieved by working in a coordinated way with other farmers and working with the RDAs to develop market opportunities. Henriette will also discuss how British farmers can create supply agreements with London wholesalers despite the recession; and why the ‘regional food’ concept has captured consumers’ imagination and driven food retailers/wholesalers to source and stock British produce. She will also include a case study. - Presentation

11.35 Audience discussion and panel debate on food chain opportunities and issues for UK farmers

12.00 Debate close

PANELLIST
BIOGRAPHY

Friday 10th July – Agriculture: A great place to work. Careers for a lifetime in farming.    

Young passionate people are the farming industry’s lifeblood but the number coming into the industry is at an all time low despite the ample and diverse opportunities. Come along to hear just what the industry has to offer in practical farming, farm management, agricultural engineering and commerce.

10.30 Douglas Jackson, Chairman and Scene-setting

10.35 Professor Wynne Jones, Principal, Harper Adams University College
Professor Wynne Jones has developed a vibrant place of learning and research at Harper Adams spanning science, commerce, land-based and agricultural qualifications. Professor Jones will speak about the training and qualifications open to young people looking to train for a career for life in the UK agri-food chain. - Presentation

10.50 Denis Chamberlain, Chairman of Fresh Start
Denis will look at the opportunities for young people looking to set up as farmers.

11.05 David Gardner, Co-op Farms
David will talk about the opportunities for young people in farm management and packhouse management within the Co-op, demonstrating the opportunities for those looking at management as a career. - Presentation

11.20 Roger Lane-Nott, Chief Executive, Agricultural Engineers Association
Roger will present the opportunities for young people looking for an exciting career in agricultural engineering and technology. - Presentation

11.35 Audience discussion and panel debate on career opportunities open to young people

12.00 Debate close

The Debates will be held in the Global Science and Business Centre on Avenue K.

Places are limited to 100 seats and are on a first-come, first-served basis.