Despite the squeeze on arable incomes caused by low grain prices and relatively high input prices there was a positive mood at Cereals 2015 among farmers and exhibitors.

Many of the 24,500 visitors attending the event took full advantage of the expert technical and financial advice on offer from over 500 exhibitors to help drive their businesses forward, said Jon Day, events director at Haymarket Exhibitions.

“Technical and machinery exhibitors were kept busy by growers keen to explore improved cultivations and soil health, better drilling techniques, integrated weed management strategies and impressive advances in precision farming.

“The business area was popular with growers wanting to maintain a grip on budgets and production costs. All this reflected the sense of determination among visitors to ride out current problems.

“The feedback we’ve had from visitors and exhibitors has been overwhelmingly positive. Cereals continues to build on its position as the leading UK arable technical event and a key date for forward-looking arable growers.”

DEFRA minister George Eustice opened the event, which took place at Boothby Graffoe, Lincolnshire on 10 -11 June, on the HSBC stand. He emphasised the government’s manifesto commitment to a 25-year food and farming strategy, which he hoped would be in place by the end of 2015.

Key areas included developing agricultural technology and competitiveness, opening new export markets and encouraging more young people into the sector. “We need to change perceptions – farming is vibrant and dynamic, with lots of new technology,” he added.

Mr Eustice also mentioned the use of neonicotinoid seed treatments on oilseed rape, saying that government would look at the science “very carefully” when considering emergency authorisation for this summer.

Allan Wilkinson, head of food and agriculture at HSBC Bank, the Cereals event principal sponsor, said the event had lived up to its reputation for setting the scene and for setting the standard.

“Cereals is most definitely as strong as ever, and goes into future years in excellent shape. As one well-known farmer said to me – ‘Simply perfect! Now all we need is another £25/t for wheat, and it's utopia!’.”

Cereals’ reputation as a leading conference venue was reinforced by a revamped programme that included several condensed seminars on some of the hottest topics in the arable sector. Many of the sessions were standing room only.
 
Al Brooks, 2016 Oxford Farming Conference chairman, said: "The marquee was buzzing for each of the 11 Arable Conference sessions. It's been a great fit for the Oxford Farming Conference to work with Haymarket in delivering such high-quality debate and speakers from all over the world. Cereals has hit the bull's-eye for the OFC in creating challenging debate."

All the familiar Cereals features returned, including hundreds of crops plots to illustrate the wealth of agronomic developments on show. Other specialist areas included machinery, working demonstrations, post-harvest technology, business area, potatoes, renewables, careers and education and the Syngenta Sprays and Sprayers arena, which showcased the latest spraying technology and equipment.

Paul Temple AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds chairman, said Cereals 2015 yet again showed the industry at its best.

“Despite a difficult back drop of market and agronomic issues, I sensed a determination to find solutions to the problems, rather than complain, from all those that attended. It provided the perfect backdrop for the AHDB to launch its rebrand and the opportunity to meet levy payers at a key point in the arable year. The Cereals event yet again stimulated a vision for the future of the industry.”

NIAB chief executive Dr Tina Barsby described Cereals as another non-stop two days. “Well done to the Haymarket team for ensuring the show ran smoothly. Cereals is our best opportunity to showcase NIAB, its work and its people, and we’re always delighted with how many visitors we have to our stand. It takes 10 months to bring it together, but it’s definitely worthwhile.”

Lindsay Haddon, Agco’s advertising and sales promotion manager, said: “Agco’s return to the Cereals show was a welcomed one as customers and dealers alike flocked to the see our Challenger, Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Valtra models on display. It couldn't have gone better.”

Sara Sebastianelli, brand communications UK & ROI at New Holland, said: "Cereals is a significant show in the New Holland calendar. Each year we manage to attract more visitors to our stand, with 2015 being no exception. This year's exhibition has been extremely good for our brand!"

It was a successful show again for Bayer CropScience, said Chris Cooksley, the firm’s marketing manager. “The stand was busy for large parts of both days and we had many excellent conversations, as we looked to help growers through the agronomic and business challenges they face with lower commodity prices and increasing pest, weed and disease threats.”

Vaderstad experienced a buoyant and upbeat Cereals event this year with a significant number of visitors to its stand on both days.

“On both days our stand was buzzing,” said managing director Mike Alsop. “Farmers seemed remarkably positive about the future. They had an appetite for knowledge and a desire to adapt their businesses.”

David Holmes, sales director, Great Plains UK said: "We have been very pleased with footfall on the Great Plains stand on both days of this year’s Cereals event. The level of enquiries was reassuringly healthy, both in terms of volume and quality."

Thousands of messages appeared on Twitter during and after Cereals from exhibitors and visitors praising the success of the event. Farmer comments included:

Great day at #Cereals15 today good to see old and new faces – Tractorman 07, Lincs-based farmer and contractor

Awesome day at #Cereals15 – Kent contractor Ant the Farmer.

A brilliant couple of days networking with the future and meeting leading agricultural enterprises – Norfolk-based AF_NextGen (discussion group of 20-35 year olds).

Had a great day at #cereals15. Wow what a show – Farmer williamrhaire:

Cereals 2016 will be held on 15-16 June at Chrishall Grange, near Duxford, Cambridgeshire.