Our new Warwickshire NFU Livestock Conference for 2026 is for farmers in the Midlands producing fantastic livestock to exacting standards of animal health and welfare for markets close to home and further afield.
With new pressures on the horizon for these farm businesses, such as environment controls and export challenges, farms will, as always, need to adapt to these challenges using the latest ideas to remain financially sustainable while meeting the needs of society.
This is the first Warwickshire conference, addressing the challenges you face as farmers, alongside the support, reach and work of the NFU. Each year, this new annual event will rotate by industry sector starting with livestock. Please sign up for the day to see the valuable work of the NFU, and how by working together we can shape a better future.
Starting with refreshments at 10am, the conference will begin at 10.30am prompty, followed by lunch and will close at 3pm.
Guest speakers:
David Barton, NFU Livestock Board Chair:
David farms in Gloucestershire, both sheep and a suckler herd. Bovine TB has been an issue for his farm over a number of years; he has been a champion for the cause of badger control as part of TB policy. In his NFU role he is heavily involved not just developing NFU policy but also driving government action. It will be good to hear his thoughts on the NFU’s work around the food chain, how SFI will work for livestock farms and responding to government proposal on the environment and animal health.
Jonathan Eckly, AHDB:
Jonathan has been part of promoting British beef, lamb and pork in Europe, USA, Canada and the far east and opening new markets in the oil states in the Middle East. Understanding these markets, and their consumers, is crucial for export. The livestock conference is a great opportunity to ask Jonathan how your beef and lamb levy is being spent in the further development of these markets.
Peter Lord, Dyson Farms:
James Dyson has driven changes on his farm not just through investment, but also new on farm strategies that use the latest technology and innovation bringing livestock back into the arable rotation for a more sustainable future. Dyson have actively developed local markets for their sheep and cattle, and we look forward to welcoming Peter, livestock manager for Dyson in the south west.
Jonathan Staham, Bishopton Vets:
Jonathon is a vet in North Yorkshire and past President of the British Cattle Veterinary Association. He is also Professor of Sustainable Livestock Health & Welfare at Harper-Keele Veterinary School. As Chair of the Defra Pathway Chairs Group, and the Animal Health & Welfare Board for England, Jonathan both understands the day-to-day practicalities of farm animal health and welfare and the challenges of government policy. He will be exploring key questions such as: how will Defra policies in the future progress and how should livestock farmers be helping to shape government thinking?
Stephen Feenan, Kepak:
Steven has huge experience both sides of the Irish Sea, from procuring cattle and sheep to developing schemes that work for the farmer, processor and retailer. He uniquely understands the commercial reality of beef and sheep production and the workings of large-scale processors producing meat products for both domestic and export markets. Steven farms with his family in Ireland
Polly Lawman, NFU Land Use and Environment Adviser:
Polly is joining us to provide insight into the NFU’s concerns with proposals coming from the Environment Agency, including the licencing of beef units with the associated costs and administration. As farmers, we want the nutrients we apply to stay in the field and grow better crops. The NFU’s work within policy proposals is crucial in bringing practical, science-led solutions to, at times, outdated thinking within government circles.
Booking is essential for catering purposes. Please register as soon as possible. If you wish to register more than one person, please reuse the registration link accordingly.
If you have more than one person attending with you, we ask that you please try and car share where possible.