Northumberland farmers to discuss future of farming at conference
As global uncertainty, changing policies and environmental pressures reshape British agriculture, Northumberland farmers are preparing to discuss what comes next.
The future of farming in Northumberland will be firmly in the spotlight at next week’s Northern Farming Conference at Hexham Auction Mart.
With government policy continuing to evolve, international uncertainty affecting markets and increasing pressure on agricultural businesses, the decisions farmers make today could have lasting implications for the region's rural economy.
The Northern Farming Conference, taking place on Wednesday, November 4, will bring together voices from across the agricultural sector under this year's theme, Turning a Corner: Building the Future of Farming.
For livestock farmer Joe Nelless, of Thistleyhaugh Farm near Morpeth, the importance of understanding the wider industry while focusing on what can be achieved at farm level has never been greater.
He said: “With everything that’s changing across the UK and internationally, whether that’s government policy, global conflicts or the climate, I think it’s becoming increasingly important for farmers to focus on making the most of what we’ve got behind the farm gate.
“Understanding the wider industry and sharing ideas with other farmers helps us find better ways of doing that.”
This year's conference will explore the economic, political and environmental influences affecting British agriculture, providing an opportunity to hear different perspectives on the direction of the industry.
Alongside the wider discussions, the event offers farmers a chance to exchange experiences and consider how the issues being discussed might influence decisions within their own businesses.