’Risk, resilience and reward’ is the theme of the 2015 AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Agronomists’ Conference.

The technical event will take place on 8 December 2015 at Peterborough Arena.

This year’s conference has been designed to challenge conventional risk-based thinking via a series of data-centered presentations delivered by leading experts in their fields.

Speaking on the conference theme, Dr Susannah Bolton, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Head of Research and Knowledge Transfer, said: “Commodity price squeezes are putting cost pressures on arable businesses.

“This test on business strength means growers are looking to build business resilience so they are better able to ride the wave of low prices.

“One way to do this is to ensure agronomic hazards are in perspective so risks can be managed accordingly.”

The conference introduces the ‘Risk, resilience and reward’ theme which will remain at the heart of AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds technical communications activity throughout 2016.

Programme highlights

1. Reflections on risk, resilience and reward

Gareth Hughes, Professor of Plant Disease Epidemiology at SRUC, will set the scene and provide an overview of ‘shared’ decision-making.

His talk will look at how evidence can be combined from multiple sources – including practical experience and scientific evidence – to manage risk.

2. Resilient farming systems: Mitigating risks in a chaotic climate

Piet M. Boonekamp, expert in biointeractions and plant health at Wageningen University and Research Centre, will look at longer-term stresses on arable crops in Europe.

Illustrated using the latest maps and models, the paper will explore how agronomic systems need to adapt to be resilient in the face of climate change.

3. Making the most of early warning systems

Jenna Watts and Caroline Nicholls, AHDB Research Managers, will illustrate how information is exploited to monitor and forecast hazards, with a focus on pests and disease.

The paper will critique information sources, looking at both strengths and weaknesses. How risk-based decision-making may change in response to technological advances, will also be considered.

4. Using fungicides effectively in wheat, barley and oilseed rape

Jonathan Blake, Senior Research Scientist ADAS, will introduce the latest fungicide performance data for wheat, barley and oilseed rape.

5. Weed resistance: Should you jump before you get pushed?

James Clarke, ADAS and Chair of the Weed Resistance Action Group, will outline the rationale behind the recent guidelines to minimise glyphosate resistance risks.

The discussion will consider the triggers necessary to change practice and minimise herbicide resistance risks.

It will also explore the information needs of farmers and agronomists to help them make timely and cost-effective decisions that provide short-term efficacy and long-term sustainability.

6. What makes a good variety? Trade-offs for better agronomics

Simon Oxley, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Senior Research and Knowledge Transfer Manager, will strip back the AHDB Recommended Lists trials to its bare bones and reveal its full power.

The paper will explore the importance of trialing the extremes, adapting trial data to meet local needs and how trials need to change to promote the development of resilient varieties.

7. Risks in perspective: Building business resilience through AHDB Monitor Farms

Tim Isaac, AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Acting Head of Regional Development, will identify and assess the main risks faced by UK arable businesses.

Citing examples from the Monitor Farm programme, the paper will look at the importance of ‘perspective’ in risk evaluation to drive balanced action and build resilient farm businesses.

A new direction

It is the first Agronomists’ Conference since the publication of the AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds Investing in Innovation: Research & Knowledge Exchange Strategy 2015–2020, which provided a new direction for technical activity.

Dr Bolton said: “The conference also sees a new direction because of agronomists’ requests for speedy access to results.

“Because we now get results out as soon as they become available, we have moved away from the traditional project-based conference.

“Now we can afford to look at the bigger picture and pull in multiple strands of information to give the conference a new unique selling point.”

Registration

Last year’s event sold out several weeks before the conference so, this year, people are being asked to book early to avoid disappointment.

For further information, or to book a place, visit cereals.ahdb.org.uk/events, email cereals.events@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 647 8723.

Attendance costs £60 (including conference papers, lunch, refreshments and VAT).

A group discount is available for bookings of eight or more delegates.

BASIS and NRoSO points will be applied for.

The event will also be live-streamed over the internet and full videos of all presentations will be made available shortly after the event – for further information, keep an eye on cereals.ahdb.org.uk