Regenerative agriculture will be a key topic of conversation at this year's Cereals Event, as farmers look for practical, resilient solutions amid policy shifts, soil health concerns and economic pressures.

With increasing numbers of producers rethinking their systems, a dedicated Regenerative Agriculture conference, hosted by BASE-UK and sponsored by Tees Law, will run across both days of the event, featuring farmers sharing their experiences and innovation.

"BASE-UK is delighted to be hosting the regen conference at this year's Cereals Event," explains Rebecca Goodwin, administrator at BASE-UK. "It is especially exciting as knowledge exchange is the foundation of our organisation, and the majority of our speakers are members. 

"This highlights the wealth of knowledge, expertise and innovation that exists within our network. Our members work with the system day after day and can provide practical insights and expertise to the industry discussions," she says.

Edwin Taylor, chairman of BASE-UK, believes the push towards regenerative methods is being fuelled by necessity. "As a result of seeing a significant decline in the resilience and workability of their soils, many farmers are exploring changes to their farming practices to rebuild soil health. Some may have investigated this option when the sustainable farming incentive (SFI) offered support for this transition, but even without such schemes there are still many compelling benefits and reasons to adopt regenerative practices."

In a session entitled: 'Enterprise stacking - the regen way', Seb Richardson, a BASE-UK member, will discuss how he uses different enterprises on his family farm to achieve multiple benefits.

Seb, a fifth-generation farmer, farms in partnership with his parents on their 700ha mixed arable and beef farm in Northamptonshire. He believes regenerative farming offers an opportunity to stack enterprises in the same field and has introduced SFI options, carbon credits, livestock integration and bi-cropping.

He began his journey to regenerative farming in 2019, when the family turned to a non-plough-based system. "We still focus on food production, but enterprise stacking allows us to do this while diversifying the farm," he says. "We were able to join the SFI before it closed. Hopefully by the time Cereals comes around we will know more about the next SFI and can discuss this more in depth.

"Cereals offers two days of gaining knowledge from different people with different specialities; you won't learn anything if you just stay locked up in your silo - it's important to get out and gain knowledge from different people."

Farm manager John Aynsley, who farms just under 1,600ha on the Skelton Estate in north Yorkshire, will also be sharing his journey at the conference, drawing on more than a decade of experience in conservation agriculture. Recently, he has explored enterprise stacking as a way to plan for the future. "If you don't prepare to work with no subsidy, then you may be on the back foot in a few years' time," he says.

"Food production is not at the top of this Government's priorities, so events like Cereals are important; as no matter how old you are there's always something new that can be learnt."

Stacking enterprises, like integrating livestock with arable rotations, is important for a farm's profitability, notes John. "It's not always about directly grazing arable land but using livestock elements (such as applying manure) on arable land, although grazing can be a great opportunity for younger people with small flocks and mobile pens to get involved."

The Cereals Event takes place on 11-12 June 2025, at Heath Farm, Leadenham, Lincolnshire, LN5 0QE. Tickets are priced at £15 for both days of the event or £20 on arrival. For more information visit www.cerealsevent.co.uk.