Recent research has found that 48% of farmers believe the removal of BPS payments by 2028 will have the biggest impact on their farm business going forwards.

The poll carried out by the National Farm Research Unit (part of the Map of Ag Group) on behalf of the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) asked farmers about the biggest issues they will face in the next three years, as part of the lead up to the IAgrM National Farm Management Conference in November.

“We wanted farmers to be involved in shaping the conference this year,” says John Giles, Institute of Agricultural Management council member.

“Ending of BPS payments was way out in front in the results, with increased restrictions on input use and ability to achieve net zero carbon targets and the impact of climate change coming in second and third respectively,” he says.

“It’s interesting to hear that this is such a focus, as the main aim of the conference is to look ahead to transitioning into life after direct payments. Rather than just talking about the issues, we’ve taken it a step further to look at life beyond this and what skills and solutions are needed to get ready for this momentous change,” says Mr Giles.

“There’s a showstopping line-up of speakers who will talk about their experiences from boots on the ground insight to leading industry advisors who can talk about the issues that farm businesses are facing and what can be done to get ready for the changes that are ahead.

“For example, Nicholas Saphir, the AHDB Chair, will open the session by talking about what the industry needs to do to get to 2028 and what the gaps are that are holding us back.”

The conference titled ‘Agriculture 2028: Transitioning to Life Beyond Direct Payments’ is to be held at the QE II Centre in London on 16^th November.

Sessions will focus on the gaps that need to be bridged by the industry to reach success after 2028. These include:

• The trade competitiveness gap – what should be the focus of UK agriculture in international markets and what can we learn from others?
• The farm management skills gap – what skills will we need in 2028?
• The technology gap – how do we bridge the disconnect between ag-tech uptake in the industry?
• The information gap – what is needed from media and information sources?
• The innovation gap – what innovations are needed to help support a productive and sustainable farming and livestock sector?
• The entrepreneurship gap – what is being done to improve this, how and by who?

Mr Giles explains that the conference is open to anyone, both members of the Institute and non-members. This is the event to attend this year if you are looking for help and advice on future proofing your farm business.

Book your tickets on the IAgrM website: www.iagrm.com/conference