Young farmers to paint picture of industry at conference 23 Feb

Alex Olivant, a farm business consultant and Alice Cannon and Alex Richardson, agronomists at Farmacy PLC, were keen to represent today's young farmers to talk about the challenges they face and where they hope to see the future of farming in years to come.

Taking place at the Lincolnshire Showground on 28 February, the Lincolnshire Farming Conference will provide those working in the agricultural industry with the latest farming news, discussions, Brexit concerns and much more.

Alex Olivant, 21, works for Active Business Partnerships based in Newark. She will feature in a five minute presentation video, produced by the Lincolnshire Showground, which will be shown to around 300 people attending the conference. Alex will then hold a question and answer session with her peers at the end of the video for attendees.

Alex, from Benniworth, said: "I am excited to attend the conference later this month. Lincolnshire is one of the biggest agricultural counties so bringing together people of all different backgrounds and ages in the industry is important. The conference is a great networking opportunity and I am looking forward to meeting new people.

"Working in agriculture as a young professional is really rewarding, I am from a farming background originally and so really enjoy working in the industry. Although there is a lot of uncertainty in the industry surrounding Brexit with differing opinions and attitudes, I think it will certainly shake things up and create new opportunities but it will be exciting to see what happens."

Key speakers at the event will include Guy Smith, NFU Vice President, Kelly Hewson-Fisher from Anglian Water and Bill Clark, Technical Director at science-based agricultural business, NIAB. The speakers will be giving industry analysis and advice about water management in farming and explaining uncertainty in cereal disease control strategies respectively.

Jayne Southall, CEO of Lincolnshire Showground, said: "We had a tremendous amount of positive feedback from young professionals last year at the conference so it is great to have Alex, Alice and Alex have a presence at this year's event. We need to create opportunities for the next generation and it is a key driver behind the conference.

"We pride ourselves on tackling the big issues and questions on the industry's lips and throughout the day there will be chances to speak to individual companies at their stands and also sign in to gain Basis and NRoSO points too."

The Lincolnshire Showground is well placed geographically attracting attendees and exhibitors across the Midlands and further afield. Sponsors of the Lincolnshire Farming Conference include HSBC, Andrew & Co Solicitors, Streets Chartered Accountants and Brown & Co among others.

Refreshments, including a Lincolnshire hog roast, will be available at the conference alongside networking opportunities. A reception for the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society Under 35s group will also take place after the conference.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £6 for students, with members of the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society free to attend once registered. The event opens from 1pm. To book a place at the 2017 conference click here.

For regular updates, follow the Lincolnshire Farming Conference on Twitter @lincsshowground or join the conversation at #LFC2017