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
Sponsored by McDonald's
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
Sponsored by McDonald's (by invitation only)
NORTH SCHOOL, EXAMINATION SCHOOLS
18:45
All delegate Champagne Reception
Sponsored by Dovecote Park
ST CATHERINE'S COLLEGE
19:30
Pre-Conference Dinner
Sponsored by Frontier Agriculture and Informa Agra
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
Delegate Registration opens
07:30
Morning Prayer
With Jerry Marshall
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CHAPEL
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
Sponsored by Massey Ferguson
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
Sponsored by The Frank Parkinson Trust
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
Sponsored by Map of Agriculture
11:55
OFC/DLG Travel Scholar Award
Robert Yardley, OFC/DLG 2015 scholar
12:00
Lunch
Sponsored by Massey Ferguson
13:20
Step-Change Science
Sponsored by BBSRC
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
Sponsored by Burges Salmon
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)
Sponsored by McDonald's
Room 9
18:00
Debate at the OXFORD UNION
Sponsored by Birketts LLP, Saffery Champness and Savills
"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
Sponsored by Birketts LLP, Saffery Champness and Savills
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
Sponsored by Massey Ferguson
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?
Sponsored by Co-operatives UK
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
Sponsored by Clarke Willmott
13:45
Entrepreneurs and their stories
Sponsored by M&S
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