The Oxford Farming Conference

Programme 2016

This years programme includes some of the best speakers. Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo.

Tuesday 5th January, 2016

14:30
Delegate Registration Opens

EXAMINATION SCHOOL FOYER

14:45
The Oxford Farming Conference AGM

Room 8

15:00
Scholars Reception

Room 6

15:15
Fringe Event - BBSRC

Staying ahead in the global farm: bioscience tackling pests and disease

Room 11

15:50
Fringe Event - Birketts

Public Access to Agricultural Land: Updating landowners on major changes to English public rights of way law

Room 14/15

16:25
Fringe Event - BASF

The Innovation Principle: Contributing to Sustainability

Room 10

17:00
Fringe Event - RICS

Rural Policy Paper Launch

Room 9

17:35
Fringe Event - McDonald’s

Championing quality food from farm to front counter

Room 11

18:15
Chairman's Reception for Speakers, Scholars, Patrons & Sponsors

NORTH SCHOOL, EXAMINATION SCHOOLS

18:45
All delegate Champagne Reception

ST CATHERINE'S COLLEGE

19:30
Pre-Conference Dinner

Produce supplied by ABP, Produce World and Barbers

After Dinner Speakers: Charlotte Smith and Anna Hill, broadcasters.

ST CATHERINE’S COLLEGE

21:45
After Dinner Bar

ST CATHERINE'S COLLEGE, Common Room

Wednesday 6th January, 2016

07:30
Morning Prayer

With Jerry Marshall 

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CHAPEL

07:30
Delegate Registration opens
07:45
Barclays Bank Breakfast

UK consumers food buying habits and how this could drive UK agriculture

08:45
Conference opening

Al Brooks, 2016 Conference Chairman

08:55
Politics Session

Session 1
Chairman: Charlotte Smith 

Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss, Defra Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Kerry McCarthy, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

09:35
Question Time
10:00
Coffee Break
10:30
Frank Parkinson Lecture

Innovation and Intensification for Sustainable agriculture

Dr Bram Govaerts

Associate Director of CIMMYT's Global Conservation Agricultural Program

 

11:00
Questions and Discussion
11:30
The OFC/RASE Practice with Science Award
11:55
OFC/DLG Travel Scholar Award

Robert Yardley, OFC/DLG 2015 scholar

12:00
Lunch
13:20
Step-Change Science

Session 2
Chairman: Tina Barsby

Digitization: The next revolution in agriculture

David Fischhoff, Chief Scientist at The Climate Corporation

 

Driving change with technology

Haven Baker, Vice President and General Manager at Simplot Plant Sciences


Unlocking performance with data collection

Neil Perkins, Nuffield Scholar and innovative sheep farmer


Where does the future come from?

Julian Marks, Managing Director, Barfoots of Botley

14:40
Questions and discussion
15:00
Presentation of 2016 Oxford Research Report

Chairman: Al Brooks

Entrepreneurialism & Leadership
Graham Redman, Partner, Andersons and the Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurship, Cranfield

15:30
Questions and discussion
16:00
Close and Tea
16:15
Scholars Workshop (Scholars only)

Room 9

18:00
Debate at the OXFORD UNION

"This house believes that agriculture is an equal opportunities industry."

Proposing
Michael Blanche, 1st generation farmer 
Seconder
Aled Rhys Jones, farmer's son and Assistant Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Show

Opposing
Linda Tinson, Agricultural and Rural Business solicitor from a farming family
Seconder
Gareth Barlow, farmer and BBC food and farming programme presenter

19:30
Post-Debate Supper at CHRIST CHURCH
22:00
Bar opens

CHRIST CHURCH

Thursday 7th January, 2016

07:45
Innovative Farmers Breakfast

Fuelling farmers' bright ideas

LEAF, Innovation for Agriculture, Soil Association, Waitrose, Organic Research Centre and the Prince of Wales's Charitable Foundation

 

08:50
Politics

UK Agriculture would be better off outside the EU

Rt Hon Owen Paterson MP for North Shropshire - Propose
Phil Hogan EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development - Respond

Chaired by Charlotte Smith

09:25
Questions and discussion
09:55
Coffee break
10:30
Is food the new medicine?

Session 3
Chairman: Philip Wilkinson 

Food for a fitter future

Professor Susan Jebb, Professor of Diet and Population Health at the University of Oxford

Optimising the best that nature has to offer
Judith Batchelar, OBE, Director of Brand, Sainsbury's

Farmer or Pharmacist?
Dr Pearse Lyons, Founder and President, Alltech

Industry growth & the health agenda: friends or foe?
James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink

11:45
Questions and discussion
12:25
Lunch
13:45
Entrepreneurs and their stories

Session 4
Chairman: Al Brooks 

Introductory video - John & Sarah Dunning, Westmorland Group

Tackling Crisis Points in Global Agriculture
James Walker, Australian farmer and founder of Agrihive

From hen house to humidity controlled warehouse – have you managed to sweat your assets?
Emlyn Evans, The Squab Group

Our Family Agri-Business – from one farm to a global enterprise
Craig Carr, Carrfields Ltd, New Zealand


 
15:00
Questions and discussion
15:35
Chairman’s closing remarks and introduction of the 2017 Chairman, Martin Davies
15:45
Close and tea
19:30
Oxtail Club Dinner

WORCESTER COLLEGE

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OFC25 will take place from 8th to 10th January 2025, in Oxford and Online.

A programme teaser and tickets are now available by visiting our dedicated conference section.

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