NFU22: See our 2022 NFU Conference programme

22 – 23 February 2022

ICC, Birmingham

A promotional image for the NFU's 2022 annual conference

The NFU's annual conference returns to the ICC in Birmingham 22–23 February 2022 with expert sessions exploring our theme, 'British farming: a blueprint for the future'.

British farming: a blueprint for the future

We have two packed days of sessions at NFU Conference this year, featuring keynote speeches from industry leaders and political heavyweights. Have a look at the programme below to see how we'll be discussing the future of agriculture and horticulture.

#NFU22: Get involved on social media

Whether you are tuning into NFU Conference from the ICC, the tractor cab or the farm office, make sure you follow the conversation and have your say on social media.

Whether you're joining from home or have a front row seat, share your views and experiences with fellow farmers and growers online by using the #NFU22 hashtag on your social media platforms, and tagging us in your posts.

We will be posting on Twitter (@NFUTweets) and Instagram (@NFULife) across the two days of NFU Conference so follow us and make sure you've turned your notifications on to stay up to date.

Day 1: Tuesday 22 February
	Opening video
10.15–10.45	Opening address (Hall 1) Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union
10.45–11.30	Keynote: Financial address (Hall 1) Sir David Ramsden CBE, Deputy Governor for Markets & Banking, Bank of England
11:30–12:45	Is uncertainty the new normal for business? (Hall 1) Speakers Iain Dale, Broadcaster, LBC Radio Professor Susan Jebb OBE, Chair, Food Standards Agency Jimmy McLoughlin OBE, Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future Podcast Jim McMahon, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions Chaired by Terry Jones, Director General, National Farmers’ Union
12.45–14.00	Lunch (Hall 3)
14.00–14.45	Keynote: Political address (Hall 1) Speaker The Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions Chaired by Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union
14.45–15.45	How secure is Britain’s food supply? (Hall 1) Speakers Karen Betts, Chief Executive, Food & Drink Federation Olly Buston, Chief Executive, Future Advocacy Sam Lowe, Director of Trade, Flint Global Nick von Westenholz, Director of Trade and Business Strategy, National Farmers’ Union Questions Chaired by Stuart Roberts, Deputy President, National Farmers’ Union
15.45–16.00	Break
16.00–17.30	Commodity sessions
	Dairy: How British dairy can be a global leader in sustainable nutrition (Hall 9) This session will explore the role of dairy in helping provide sustainable nutrition to a growing global population. We'll hear from expert speakers about how environmental impacts and nutrition interact, and what role British dairy farmers and processors can play in providing a key part of a sustainable diet, both for our domestic market and the wider world. Speakers Michael Oakes, Dairy Board Chair, National Farmers’ Union Ross McMahon, Founder, Kendal Nutricare Dr Judith Bryans, Chief Executive, DairyUK Chaired by James Osman, NFU Chief Dairy Adviser
	Livestock: How can the livestock sector meet the challenges of the future? (Hall 4) We'll hear from the livestock board chair and a panel of experts who will explore some of the challenges and opportunities for the sector. We will examine consumer attitudes, how we can help mitigate climate change and improve supply chain transparency. The chair will review the work of the board and outline his strategy for a more efficient, resilient and profitable sector that is equipped with the tools to adapt and change in these uncertain times. Speakers Richard Findlay, Livestock Board Chair, National Farmers’ Union Nick Allen, CEO, BMPA Phil Bicknell, Head of Business Development at CIEL Panel session to also include: Will Jackson, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, AHDB Mark Jelley, Livestock Board, National Farmers’ Union Neil Parish, MP and Chair of the Efra Committee Chaired by John Royle, Chief Livestock Adviser, National Farmers’ Union
	Combinable crops: Nutrient cycling and managing manures for the future (Hall 5) Looking at the effective cycling of nutrients and manure within arable systems; the opportunities, barriers and experiences across the sector. Speakers Max Schulman, Finnish arable farmer and Cereals and Oilseeds Adviser for the Finnish Farmers Organisation (MTK) Will Oliver, arable farmer from Leicestershire/Warwickshire, A H Oliver & Son Matt Culley, Combinable Crops Board Chair, National Farmers’ Union Allie Hesketh, Combinable Crops Adviser, National Farmers’ Union John Williams, Head of Soils and Nutrients, ADAS Chaired by Anthony Hopkins, Chief Combinable Crops Adviser, National Farmers’ Union
	Horticulture & Potatoes: Achieving fair inflation from the supply chain (Hall 7) With a rapid rise in input costs, such as labour and energy, UK growers are under more pressure than ever to secure increased prices from their customers. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities of achieving fair inflation from the supply chain. Speakers will look at the role of the retail buyer, how contracts are managed in other sectors, and how the cost challenge is impacting on grower businesses. Speakers Ali Capper, Horticulture & Potatoes Board Chair, National Farmers’ Union David Miles, Director, The Retail Mind Tim Lock, dairy farmer and Chair of the M&S Milk Pool Alastair Heath, Potato Forum, National Farmers’ Union Chaired by Lee Abbey, Chief Horticulture Adviser, National Farmers’ Union
	Poultry: The consumer’s choice – poultry meat and eggs (Hall 10) The poultry sector has endured a number of challenges over the past 12 months and this session aims to acknowledge these challenges whilst also addressing the opportunities for the sector’s future. What will the consumer of tomorrow want to eat? The speakers in this session will cover a farm to fork perspective whilst trying to answer this question. They will share consumer insights and trends, looking back over the past 12 months and predicting what may lie ahead in the future. Presentations will be followed by a Q&A session which will offer the opportunity for audience members to put their questions to the panel of speakers. Speakers Thomas Wornham, National Poultry Board Chair, National Farmers’ Union William Guise, Client Manager, Kantar Philip Wilkinson OBE, Executive Director, 2Sisters Food Group Jake Pickering, Agriculture Manager, Waitrose & Partners Chaired by Aimee Mahony, Chief Poultry Adviser, National Farmers’ Union
	NFU Sugar: Homegrown Beet Climate Partnership: What does this supply chain partnership mean for you? (Hall 6) What do carbon initiatives mean for you on farm? How is the sugar beet industry coming together to improve, promote and fairly share the proceeds of the carbon footprint of homegrown sugar and its co-products? Attend the NFU Sugar breakout session to hear about how NFU Sugar is working to ensure growers receive a fair value on farm for their carbon assets. Speakers Michael Sly, NFU Sugar Board Chair, National Farmers' Union Tom Clarke, NFU Sugar Board, National Farmers' Union Tessa Seymour, Head of Agriculture, British Sugar Georgina Barratt, Applied Crop Scientist, BBRO Chaired by Bruno Gardner, Managing Director, NFU EnZero
18.45–19.15	Doors open for dinner (Hall 3)
19.15–19.45	Regional ‘Meurig Raymond’ awards
19.45–late	Dinner

Day 2: Wednesday 23 February
	Opening video
9.00–10.00	Keynote: World farming (Hall 1) Dr Theo De Jager, President, World Farmers' Organisation Questions Chaired by Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union
10.00–10.30	Keynote: Environment (Hall 1) Emma Howard Boyd CBE, Chair, Environment Agency Questions Chaired by Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union
10.30–11.00	Break
11.00–12.45	Building business resilience – member experiences (Hall 1) Ray Brown (Bidlea Dairy) – North West Rob Halliday – South West Llyr Jones – Cymru Emily and Zoe Mee (Mee Farmers) – East Anglia Paul and Nic Renison – North West Henry and Edward du Val de Beaulieu (Apsley Farms) – South East Questions Chaired by Tom Bradshaw, Vice President, National Farmers’ Union
12.45–13.00	Closing address (Hall 1) Minette Batters, President, National Farmers’ Union
13.00–14.00	Lunch (Hall 3)
14.00–15.00	Annual General Meeting (Hall 1 – members only)
15.00	Officeholder elections (Hall 5 – council only)

Event details

Start Date: 22 February 2022 at 08:00
End Date: 23 February 2022 at 14:00
Location: ICC, Birmingham

NFU Conference

NFU22: See our 2022 NFU Conference programme

British farming: a blueprint for the future

#NFU22: Get involved on social media

Day 1: Tuesday 22 February

Opening video

10.15–10.45

Opening address (Hall 1)

10.45–11.30

Keynote: Financial address (Hall 1)

11:30–12:45

Is uncertainty the new normal for business? (Hall 1)

12.45–14.00

Lunch (Hall 3)

14.00–14.45

Keynote: Political address (Hall 1)

14.45–15.45

How secure is Britain’s food supply? (Hall 1)

15.45–16.00

Break

16.00–17.30

Commodity sessions

Dairy: How British dairy can be a global leader in sustainable nutrition (Hall 9)

Livestock: How can the livestock sector meet the challenges of the future? (Hall 4)

Combinable crops: Nutrient cycling and managing manures for the future (Hall 5)

Horticulture & Potatoes: Achieving fair inflation from the supply chain (Hall 7)

Poultry: The consumer’s choice – poultry meat and eggs (Hall 10)

NFU Sugar: Homegrown Beet Climate Partnership: What does this supply chain partnership mean for you? (Hall 6)

18.45–19.15

Doors open for dinner (Hall 3)

19.15–19.45

Regional ‘Meurig Raymond’ awards

19.45–late

Dinner

Day 2: Wednesday 23 February

Opening video

9.00–10.00

Keynote: World farming (Hall 1)

10.00–10.30

Keynote: Environment (Hall 1)

10.30–11.00

Break

11.00–12.45

Building business resilience – member experiences (Hall 1)

12.45–13.00

Closing address (Hall 1)

13.00–14.00

Lunch (Hall 3)

14.00–15.00

Annual General Meeting (Hall 1 – members only)

15.00

Officeholder elections (Hall 5 – council only)

Event details