From January 8th–10th, I was fortunate enough to attend the prestigious Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) through their bursary scheme, generously sponsored by NFU Mutual. The event, under the theme "Facing Change, Finding Opportunity," was packed with insightful sessions exploring how farmers can adapt and thrive in a changing world. There were truly inspiring speakers—some had us laughing, while others left us in stunned silence, making the experience both engaging and thought-provoking.
Being a new entrant to farming and agriculture, the imposter syndrome was in full swing. However, it was immediately clear that not everyone at the conference was a 'farmer', but everyone had a real passion within their own rural sectors, be that based in Research, Policy, Education, Scholars or Innovators. Every single person I spoke to was welcoming and friendly, and it provided a great opportunity to network with new people.
Highlights from Day 1 included discussions on sustainable wool, black soldier flies as an alternative protein, and the REIMS technology for beef quality assessment. The Farmers Weekly Question Time panel had a lively debate on agricultural business practices, nature-friendly farming, and UK agriculture's global market opportunities. The day ended with a networking reception.
Day 2 started with DEFRA’s Steve Reed outlining the challenges facing agriculture, including food security and rising costs. Whilst the conference was going on, around 100 tractors took to Oxford High Street, taking part in a protest against the Inheritance Tax, honking their horns as Steve Reed outlined his "new deal for farmers.
In the afternoon, JCB presented its hydrogen combustion engine, and HRH The Princess Royal gave a thoughtful speech. The evening debate took place at the Oxford Union hall, where the house proposed that "UK agriculture needs more grazing livestock, rather than fewer, to be truly sustainable". The results were 186 voted against, 193 voted for, but for me, Colin Ferguson’s witty counterpoints were the highlight. The post-debate supper provided a great networking opportunity, and felt like a scene from Hogwarts, which was where they filmed the staircase and the Great Dining Hall in Harry Potter!
The final day featured a session on food insecurity, with Dominic Watters and Dee Woods discussing access to fresh food and community initiatives. The Beefy Boys shared their journey from pub burgers to a successful restaurant, showcasing the importance of British beef. The session on global food and climate challenges included talks from Professor Piers Forster and Dr. Murugan on decarbonizing food production and ending hunger. Liz Haines’ research on neurodiversity in agriculture was particularly inspiring, highlighting the value of neurodivergent individuals in the sector.
The day concluded with powerful, emotive, and inspiring sessions from Becci Berry of K B Berry & Son, and Emma O'Sullivan, Founder of The DPJ Foundation. The final speaker, British Explorer Olly Hicks, left us with a thought-provoking quote: "We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails."
I would highly recommend the conference to others, and if you have not been before, then the bursary scheme is something you should absolutely look in to! Thank you to Geoff and everyone at OFC for a fantastic few days, and the NFU Mutual for the opportunity to attend.
Sian Grove.
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