The region once again boasted a strong contingent of members in attendance, with many taking centre stage, asking pertinent questions of high profile speakers, including Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds, and presenting in front of the 1,000-strong audience.
Day one
On day one, Worcestershire top fruit and hops grower Ali Capper quizzed the first speaker, Professor Tim Lang, about the use of GLP-1s (weight loss drugs) in food, wondering what the future is for whole foods.
Prof Lang responded by saying: “They’re reducing total demand, but I think that’s an opportunity to focus on real food.”
Former Staffordshire County Chair Paul Brown asked the SoS what the government’s plan is “here and now” on bTB to “avoid this devastating disease spiralling out of control.”
Her response centred on plans for a co-designed strategy based on the Godfrey report to be published “in the spring” and that the issue is “top of our inbox”.
And NFU Midlands Crops Board Chair Andrew Williamson asked her if she could assure farmers that they will be able to access SFI 26 without a gap between agreements.
She said that Defra is currently looking operationally at how it will deliver the scheme.
“The intent is there... I want to ensure you can apply before the end of your agreement. I can’t give you a guarantee today but we are working on it,” she said.
Day two
The second day featured two Midlands growers as part of a four-strong panel covering the topic of ‘resilience in action’ on the main stage.
The Ledbury Flower Farmer, Rozanne Delamore, a grower and florist from Herefordshire, was alongside Vicarage Nurseries Commercial Director Bal Padda from Worcestershire (pictured), whose business produces thousands of tonnes of strawberries and raspberries for a number of major UK retailers.
Both gave fascinating accounts of how their businesses have countered major challenges and thrived.