The NFU and NFU Mutual once again had a joint presence at Cereals, using the same integrated marquee structure as in previous years.
On the first day of the show, NFU President Minette Batters and NFU crops board chairman Tom Bradshaw launched the #YourHarvest campaign, designed to raise the profile of the arable sector with both politicians and the public.
Mrs Batters later took part in a panel debate in the 'Cereals Controversial' tent. The seminar was chaired by AHDB chairman Peter Kendall, with the panel also including AHDB's cereals and oilseeds strategy director Martin Grantly-Smith, Duncan Sinclair, agriculture manager at Waitrose, and Oxfordshire farmer James Price.
L-R: Duncan Sinclair, agriculture manager at Waitrose; NFU President Minette Batters; AHDB chairman Peter Kendall; AHDB cereals and oilseeds strategy director Martin Grantly-Smith; Oxfordshire farmer James Price
Back on the NFU and NFU Mutual stand, representatives from NFU Sugar and British Sugar were talking to members about the beet levy refund and the Sugar Industry Programme and BBRO discussed the first results of the Beet Yield Challenge.
NFU Deputy President Guy Smith joined Mr Bradshaw to talk to members about the future of productive arable farming, and ways to combine production with management of the environment.
During the afternoon, the NFU's external affairs manager Liv Phoenix talked more about how to engage with local MPs in support of the #YourHarvest campaign, and the NFU's countryside adviser Claire Robinson was on the stand to discuss members' queries on agri-environment and Countryside Stewardship issues.
The final advice session of the day, led by the NFU's farm safety and transport adviser Tom Price, focused on pre-harvest health and safety before the NFU joined up with grain co-op Openfield to host a networking session for members aged 25 to 35 who could benefit from the NFU's Cereals Development Programme.
See pictures from the event:
