6/7/8 January 2014 - Oxford, UK
Sponsors
Sponsors are invaluable in delivering the Oxford Farming Conference. Details of our sponsors are listed below. Click on the link to go to the sponsor's website.
If you would like to sponsor the Oxford Farming Conference please contact us for further details.
AB Agri
AB Agri is sponsor of the Conference folders and the OFC/RASE Practice with Science Award.
AB Agri operates at the heart of the agricultural industry with activities that stretch from the farm all the way to the supermarket shelf. Its unique breadth and experience enables it to add value and generate profit for businesses all along the food, drink and biofuel industry supply chains. Today AB Agri supplies products and services to farmers, feed manufacturers, food producers and retailers. It seeks to develop sustainable solutions which allow the expansion and development of the agricultural industry without sacrificing the sustainability of our planet.
AB Agri – Working Together, Innovating Responsibly, Securing Tomorrow
AgriFood ATP
AgriFood ATP is hosting an exhibition at the 2013 Conference.
The AgriFood Advanced Training Partnership (AATP) is one of four higher level training partnerships which have been awarded funding by the BBSRC to deliver skills and training to Agrifood businesses for the next five years.
Four leading, internationally recognised, universities and research institutes are the training providers: The University of Nottingham, Harper Adams University College, Cranfield University and Rothamsted Research, also industry partners including Campden BRI and Cambridge University Farms.
Courses are flexible and responsive to industry needs. Training opportunities range from one -day workshops and field days to short courses and accredited post graduate programmes. Training is delivered in easily accessible short courses and e-learning.
Professionals employed in farming, food manufacture or retail will almost certainly find an AgriFood ATP course for them. Courses are suitable for new entrants who are keen to learn new skills, or have been in employment for many years and wish to refresh old knowledge or up skill for a new position.
Participating in the AATP will help industry understand the latest scientific and technical developments that have an impact on their business and what needs to be done to plan for the future.
Anglo Beef Producers (ABP)
ABP is supplying the beef for the 2013 Pre Conference Dinner.
For many years, ABP has been at the heart of developing the ever improving eating quality of beef as we have become the preferred partner of leading multiple retailers, manufacturers and caterers in the supply of fresh and frozen meat and meat-based products. As one of the leading beef processors in Europe, we have also concentrated on building a unique farmer-processor supply chain for the direct movement of cattle from the farm to ABP’s regionally sited abattoirs.
BBSRC
BBSRC is sponsor of a Fringe Meeting - What is agricultural sustainability and what can science contribute? - and an exhibition space at the 2013 Conference.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) is the UK’s largest public investor in food and farming science. BBSRC invests over 200M per year in research, training and infrastructure that underpins food and farming. Our research addresses the global challenge of ensuring food security and helps to support strong and competitive UK food and agricultural sectors
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate is the supplier of Yorkshire Tea at Oxford 2013.
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate: an independent family business specialising in fine teas and coffees and handcrafted cakes and confectionery.
Birketts LLP
Birketts LLP is a co-sponsor of the Oxford Union Debate and the Post-Debate Dinner at Christ Church.
Birketts LLP is a long established and highly successful legal practice with offices in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Norwich and is recognised as a Top 100 UK law firm. Birketts provides a comprehensive range of legal services to farmers, landowners and others involved in agri-business. The firm won the accolade of “Agriculture and Rural Affairs Law Firm of the Year in England” as part of Global Law Experts’ international legal awards in 2012. This award demonstrates the team’s growing reputation for providing pragmatic and commercial advice to all its clients operating in the agricultural and equine sectors.
Burges Salmon
Burges Salmon is co-sponsor of the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference Research What do UK farmers deliver to society?
“We are uniquely placed to provide our clients with a full legal service offering. From the field to the table, we cover all topics in food, farming and land. We differentiate ourselves by the way we work. Our collaborative culture and beliefs about client service allow us to fit the firm to each client to bring together the right people, skills and experience to build an effective relationship with you. Our way of working ensures you are supported by an effective team, who think ahead and keep you informed. We aim to understand exactly what you need, when you need it, and how you need it delivered, to enable you to achieve your strategic, commercial and business objectives. The benefits to you are: the right outcome - for your business and for you; an effective team - alleviating the pressure on you and your people; value for money - the right level of support in line with your objectives and resources.”
Chesterton Humberts
Chesterton Humberts is sponsor of a rolling logo at the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference.
Two of the UK's longest established property firms have merged to create Chesterton Humberts: a single multi-disciplinary property business. The combined business has a large network of offices in London and across the United Kingdom, along with international offices in Europe, Asia, Australasia and the Middle East. This gives Chesterton Humberts’ clients access to a wider range of commercial, rural and residential services cross border investment, buyers and tenants
Clydesdale Bank
Clydesdale Bank is sponsoring the Clydesdale Bank Breakfast on the first morning of the 2013 Conference.
Clydesdale Bank has a dedicated team of Agribusiness specialists who have hands-on experience of the agricultural and rural business sectors, and a wealth of local knowledge and understanding. Our customers are allocated a relationship manager who will work with them, and can utilise the expertise of our team of specialists when needed. Located within our national network, our Agribusiness teams can help with a variety of financial requirements – and because decisions are made locally, results are faster.
Dovecote Park
Dovecote Park is sponsoring the Delegates' Reception.
Dovecote Park is the dedicated supplier of beef and beef products to the Waitrose chain of food shops, whose beef is entirely sourced from the United Kingdom, and British farmers. It has developed a direct national supply chain with Waitrose and its beef producers to deliver cattle across the broad spectrum of the Waitrose consumer beef offer, to its two processing plants. These ranges include the well established native breed specific programmes of Aberdeen Angus, Hereford, and Welsh Black as well as the Essentials range, and Organic beef under the Duchy brand. In addition a regional brand of West Country beef featuring both South and Red Devon breeds is being developed, and the company offers a seasonal Specialist Highland product at Christmas. Waitrose and Dovecote Park have led the way in closer supply chain co-operation, focusing on the highest standards in beef quality, animal husbandry and welfare, provenance and environmental sustainability, all highlighting their long term commitment to British farming.
Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network (ES KTN)
ES KTN is co-sponsoring a Fringe Meeting - More for less - Innovative technologies to deliver food security and new business opportunities for the UK.
The Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network (ESKTN) is accelerating the UK's transition to a low carbon, resource and energy efficient economy by connecting businesses, universities, other research organisations and government agencies, and catalysing innovation across a wide range of environmental technologies.
FACE
FACE is hosting an exhibition space at the 2013 Conference.
Farming & Countryside Education (FACE) is a charity that helps young people learn about food and farming in a sustainable countryside. In particular the charity seeks to help children and young people, aged from 2-10 to understand farming issues. FACE believes that young people learn best from direct experience, both in and out of the classroom, and that well-planned educational visits to farms and other countryside locations have an important part to play in a child’s development.
FAI Farms Ltd
fai has a network of commercial and research farms and offices in Europe, North and South America and China, through which programmes focused on sustainable food production are delivered. We are scientists, consultants and producers and our partners benefit from practically experienced, technically expert teams who maintain a global perspective while working on regionally relevant solutions. Evidence-based science sits at the heart of fai's work. Research activity focuses on the evaluation and development of farming and food production systems within the 3E framework. fai’s training programmes range from MSc level courses, through online skills training to practical on-farm training. From our sites around the world we provide and facilitate professional training for food company executives, agriculturists, food technologists, farmers and veterinary students.
Farm Africa
Farm Africa is hosting an exhibition space at the 2013 Conference.
Farm Africa is a different kind of charity working to end hunger and bring prosperity to rural Africa. For too long, Africa has struggled with the problems of hunger and poverty. Again and again, images of famine have challenged the world to end this human tragedy – but still it happens. Today, with climate change to deal with too, the need is more urgent than ever.
Farm Africa is helping Africa’s farmers end this cycle of despair. We’re there, on the ground, ensuring farmers have the equipment and know-how to manage their land more effectively. Working shoulder to shoulder with farmers, we help the best farming techniques take root and spread so there’s food not just for this harvest, but every harvest.
We bridge communities, governments and businesses so that Africa’s farmers can not only grow food but sell it too, allowing them to take charge of their future and build better lives.
We believe Africa has the power to feed itself. Let’s make it happen.
Farming Help
Farming Help is hosting an exhibition space at the 2013 Conference.
Farming Help brings together three national charities – The Addington Fund, Farm Crisis Network and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution. Each charity provides different but complementary forms of support to meet a wide range of needs within the farming community. These include domestic financial help; support for retired people; crisis support; disability aids; housing provision; pastoral care; access to debt and farm business advice; help with state benefits claims; and advocacy with farm issues such as Single Farm Payment problems.
Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust
The Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust is sponsor of the Frank Parkinson lecture, which, at the 2013 Conference, will be Mark Lynas, environmental campaigner and author, delivering his paper: A Changing Perspective.
The main objective of the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust is to contribute to the improvement and welfare of British agriculture.
Freedom Food
Freedom Food is sponsor of a rolling logo at the 2013 Conference.
Freedom Food is the farm assurance and food labeling scheme established by the RSPCA, one of the world’s leading animal welfare organisations. Set up in 1994, Freedom Food is a charity in its own right and remains the only UK farm assurance scheme solely dedicated to improving farm animal welfare.
Frontier Agriculture
Frontier Agriculture is sponsor of the 2013 Pre-Conference Dinner.
Frontier is the UK’s leading crop inputs and grain marketing business, recognized for its close customer relationships with farmers and grain consumers and its successful management of the whole arable supply chain.
Greenvale
Greenvale is sponsor of potatoes for Pre Conference Dinner.
Greenvale AP is one of the UK’s leading providers of fresh potatoes supplying retailers, processors and caterers with both fresh and processed products. As a truly vertically integrated potato business, Greenvale is invested in:
- the breeding and selection of new varieties;
- the growing of seed and ware potatoes;
- the washing, selection and packing of fresh potatoes for the retail and food service sectors;
- the peeling, slicing / dicing and par-cooking of potatoes for the food ingredient and ready-meal sectors.
Greenvale is a significant grower of potatoes in its own right, but also boasts the largest and most diverse grower base in the UK, supplemented with imports at key times.
IAgrE
IAgrE is co-sponsor of a Fringe Meeting - More for Less - Innovative technologies to deliver food security and new business opportunities for the UK.
The Institution of Agricultural Engineers ( IAgrE) is the professional body for engineers, scientists, technologists and managers in agricultural and allied landbased industries, including forestry, food engineering and technology, amenity, renewable energy, horticulture and the environment
LANTRA
Lantra is sponsor an insert in the Delegate Folders at the 2013 Conference.
Developing your skills and the skills of your workforce is essential to business success. At Lantra we are committed to helping your company access business solutions, training and qualifications that help you grow and be competitive.
In Lantra Awards we have one of the UK’s leading Awarding Organisations, specialising in training and qualifications with a 900 strong delivery network of quality controlled centres, instructors and verifiers.
At Lantra we can help your business be the best it can be by:
• Keeping the skills of you and your workforce up-to-date
• Sourcing the training and development that you and your staff need
• Ensuring you and your staff members have, the right skills for their specific job roles
• Ensuring your business is run effectively, efficiently and is profitable
• Promoting the sector as a positive career choice
We strive to be the provider of choice, delivering real business solutions that add value through our wide portfolio of products and services. These include:
• Online skills and training recording frameworks
• Finding the courses, jobs and funding you need
• Training and qualifications
• Business improvement solutions such as Investors in People
• Championing the sector as professional, hi tech and essential to the UK economy
M&S
M & S is sponsor of Session 3: Technology & Innovation at the 2013 Conference.
Marks & Spencer is one of the UK's leading retailers with around 21 million customers visiting our stores each week. We sell high quality, great value clothing and home products, as well as outstanding quality food. Our eco and ethical plan, Plan A, sets out how we will become the world's most sustainable retailer by 2015. An important part of this activity is our 'Farming for the Future' programme. Through this we are helping farm businesses in our supply base, both here and across the globe, identify opportunities for improvements in efficiency, environmental performance and ethical practice, to help improve profitability and provide a sustainable supply chain that can continue to deliver quality and innovation for the long term.
Massey Ferguson
Massey Ferguson is sponsor of the First Morning Session and Lunch at the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference.
Massey Ferguson is delighted to be supporting the high-profile Oxford Farming Conference for a second year. With our broad range of straightforward, dependable agricultural machinery, Massey Ferguson has been at the heart of British farming for over 65 years. We are committed to providing practical technology to help our customers farm more profitably and sustainably in a world where greater agricultural productivity is key to future growth.
McDonald's
McDonald's is sponsoring the 2013 Chairman's Reception for Speakers, Scholars, Patrons and Sponsors and a Scholars' Workshop.
McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in the UK almost 40 years ago and during this time we are proud of the successful business we have built. As a food business we are passionate about sourcing the very best ingredients for our menu and we are incredibly proud of the world class supply chain we have built over the last four decades. A supply chain that enables us to purchase over 55% of the ingredients for our menu from over 17,500 UK and Irish farmers with an annual shopping bill of over £320m. Earlier this year, this passion to buy high quality ingredients, as locally as possible led to us launch our new Farm Forward programme: a long-term programme designed to demonstrate our support for British and Irish farmers who share our passion for quality produce, animal welfare and sustainable business practices.
Moy Park
Moy Park is sponsor of a rolling logo at the 2013 Conference.
Moy Park is the leading provider of fresh, locally farmed and produced chicken in the UK and is recognised as one of the largest producers of organic, free range and corn fed poultry in Europe. The company, which is headquartered in Craigavon, Northern Ireland has a long established farming heritage, which dates back to 1943. Moy Park works with over 800 poultry farmers in the UK, supplying four main fresh poultry facilities in Northern Ireland, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, as well as producing a wide range of convenience foods at its other modern, well equipped sites. Moy Park has pioneered breeding and farming standards particularly in the development of higher welfare chicken. In addition, Moy Park has developed award-winning agricultural training and development programmes across its agricultural business, encouraging a wide range of people to develop a successful career in farming.
National Farm Research Unit
The National Farm Research Unit runs the OFC post-conference survey and analysis.
The National Farm Research Unit is a privately owned organisation, whose mission is to understand the needs of farmers, so that manufacturers and the agricultural supply industry can provide the right products and services to farm businesses. Bette knowledge of what farmers want means a more efficient and focused industry
for the future.
National Farmers Union
The National Farmers Union is sponsor of the Press Facilities at the 2013 Conference.
The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its Farmer and Grower members. It is the largest farming organisation in the UK, providing a strong, respected and independent voice for the industry. Its head office is at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire, but it also has offices in London, Brussels, Wales, all the English regions and a unique network of local offices and advisers, co-funded by the NFU Mutual, to support the needs of its members locally, nationally and internationally.
Peter Coldicutt
Peter Coldicutt is kind sponsor of the floral arrangements.
Peter Coldicutt, who supplied the platform decorations, began his career many years ago in Horticulture, producing plants for 'the trade' ; although still in touch with that, he now farms in Dorset and Somerset, producing corn, cattle and sheep.
ROPE
ROPE is hosting an exhibition at the 2013 Conference.
Rope is committed to combating he impact of oppressive poverty across the world. Motivated by Christian compassion, we work through a network of partners, actively addressing the immediate needs of individuals and communities, whilst always striving to create a vision for long term sustainable change in the lives of the poor. OFC delegates have generously supported Rope since 2003.
Royal Agricultural Society of England
The RASE partners the OFC in the 'Practice with Science Award' sponsored by AB Agri.
"Practice with Science” has been the motto of RASE since 1838, and it is still the driving force behind RASE activity today. In recent years, the Society’s “Practice with Science” Group has produced well-respected reports and staged seminars on issues that really matter to UK farming, such as UK soil science, availability of water, controlling emissions from livestock and anaerobic digestion plants on-farm. The Society is delighted to support the new Oxford Farming Conference. Royal Agricultural Society of England “Practice with Science” Award.
RSPB
The RSPB is co-sponsor of the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference Research What do UK farmers deliver to society? and the RSPB Breakfast on Friday 4th January.
The RSPB offers a comprehensive package of practical conservation advice to farmers, landowners and advisors across the UK, including on-farm advice, free bird surveys and assistance with agri-environment applications. We work with thousands of farmers every year who are successfully managing their farms for profit and biodiversity.
Saffery Champness
Saffery Champness is a co-sponsor of the Oxford Union Debate and the Post-Debate Dinner at Christ Church.
Saffery Champness is a top 20 firm of chartered accountants and one of the UK’s leading advisers to landowners and rural businesses. With 11 offices, the firm works for the owners of over 3.5 million acres of land in the UK, providing pro-active advice on financial and tax matters, particularly capital taxes, VAT and trust issues.
Smiths Gore
Smiths Gore is a co-sponsor of the Oxford Union Debate and the Post-Debate Dinner at Christ Church.
Smiths Gore is one of the UK's leading firms of chartered surveyors. Our team of rural property consultants, property managers, agriculturalists and agri-business experts manage over 2 million acres of land from our national network of 30 offices. In today’s tough economic climate and volatile marketplace, we work hand-in-hand with our clients to seize every opportunity and rise to every challenge.
The Prince's Rural Action Programme
The Prince's Rural Action Programme is hosting an exhibition space at the 2013 Conference.
Business in the Community stands for responsible business. It is a business-led charity, of which The Prince of Wales is President, with a growing membership of 850 companies and a further 10,000 engaged through our campaigns. Through The Prince’s Rural Action Programme and The Prince’s Countryside Fund we work with business to make a positive difference in rural communities in order to sustain our countryside.
The Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust is sponsor of a Fringe Meeting - Land Sharing - The role of trees in supporting sustainable intensification.
The Woodland Trust is the UK's leading woodland charity with over 1,000 woods under our care and protection. Dedicated to creating a UK rich in trees and woods, we provide free, expert guidance to people interested in integrating new trees, woods and shelterbelts into existing farming systems. When planted appropriately, trees bring a host of benefits to the farm from reducing fuel and heating costs to supporting production through providing cost-effective shelter for crops, livestock and soils. Our dedicated team offer farm visits plus support applying for the most appropriate planting grants.
Volac
Volac is co-sponsoring the 2013 Oxford Farming Conference Research What do UK farmers deliver to society?
Volac is a leader in the application of dairy nutrition manufacturing and supplying performance nutritional products around the world. We play a leading role in the dairy industry and are ambitious both for our future growth and the prosperity of our industry.
We work closely with customers, suppliers and the industry, promoting knowledge and sharing ideas. Volac understands nutrition and delivers performance products that are not only trusted and valued by our customers, but are also key to their success.
Waitrose
Waitrose is sponsor of Session 2: Farming in Society.
Waitrose combines the convenience of a supermarket with the expertise and service of a specialist shop. It is dedicated to offering customers great value and quality with food that has been responsibly sourced The Waitrose Way. As a co-owned business, everyone who works for Waitrose owns the business and the notion of partnership is extended to suppliers. At the heart of the supply chain are its producer groups that operate across categories.
