Cereals 2007- the leading event for the UK arable industry
Cereals 2007, on the 13th & 14th June at Vine Farm, Wendy, is set to lead the UK arable sector forward amidst an unprecedented phase of market opportunity. As the industry’s leading technical event, exhibitor uptake has been swift, with over 300 stands and working demonstrations already planned on the 67ha site; there will also be the largest fleet of sprayers to date in the Sprays & Sprayers arena and crop plots highlighting the latest developments in crop R&D.
“The Cereals event has already established itself as the ‘must-visit’ technical agri-business event for the arable industry and given the current optimism and opportunity within the sector, we are very impressed to see the valuable content exhibitors are proposing,” says Andrea Rutledge of event organisers Haymarket Exhibitions. “The event’s technical content will deliver advances in agronomy and new crop varieties whilst giving visitors the opportunity to see the latest in new machinery and technologies in action. Highly topical; for those looking to invest in biofuel or new-crop opportunities; there are some specialist companies planning support and guidance to help.”
Continuing its support of the event as Principal Sponsors, HSBC Bank is planning to repeat the popular ‘HSBC Investing in the future’ seminars which will take place over both days of the event. Topics for discussion will include pertinent issues such as carbon neutral faming, biofuels and environmental opportunities to help arable farmers make informed investment decisions. "We are delighted to reaffirm our commitment to the industry by continuing as Principal Sponsor for the Cereals Event, and we are very proud to create the opportunity for the industry to come together, debate technical and policy issues, focus on innovation and to share best practice. There is a tangible air of optimism blowing across the arable sector for a number of reasons, as to whether this optimism is well founded, only time will tell - but a visit to the Cereals Event will provide for a well informed and balanced view," says Martin Coward, Agriculture Director for HSBC Bank.
With trials from over 30 companies, crop plots are well established at the Vine Farm site. Themes planned will demonstrate a wide range of agronomic features such as new varieties and seed treatments, conventional, industrial and biofuel crops. Specifics include:
• The HGCA’s focus on agronomy and pricing (including risk management), varieties and markets, and consumers and the supply chain. Displays will include disease management and climate change, and of course the new recommended lists will be available alongside the chance to talk to the top HGCA consultants.
• Developing on the success of last years initiatives, Velcourt will continue with their agronomic focus looking at current herbicide and fungicide issues, with an additional look at grain markets for the end use of oilseed rape oil and demonstrations of biofuel crops such as miscanthus and willow. On the environmental side, there will be an opportunity to look at biobeds, bird feed crops and a wetland feature, alongside a green manure demonstration showing fertility building crops.
“The Sprays and Sprayers arena at this year’s event will be busy with nearly 50 of the latest sprayers on the market being put through their paces,” continues Andrea Rutledge. “Also on offer are the most up-to-date research and application technologies, the latest new sprayers on the market, satellite technology and specialist nozzles. New for 2007 is a ‘high speed turning zone’ designed to test the machines to the full. The popular working demonstration area of Cereals will run over 10ha of dedicated cultivation area and top manufacturers presenting the very latest models.”
Building on its successful introduction in 2006, the ‘Post harvest technology’ section has 25 exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, information and technology on grain handling, drying, storage and marketing.
Indicative of the importance of farmland for mainstream conservation, bodies such as the RSPB, FWAG and the Game Conservancy Trust will have a prominent presence focused on advising farmers on managing their on-farm biodiversity. There will also be advice on complying with environmental issues such as managing nitrate vulnerable zones, establishing field margins as well as how growers can respond to the implications of climate change and food miles.
In line with its position as the industry’s leading arable event, attendees will earn 4 NRoSo CPD or BASIS points for attending either day of Cereals. For further information on exhibitors attending, what is happening and how to get there, log onto the Cereals website www.cerealsevent.org.uk which is regularly updated. Tickets can be purchased in advance from 5th March 2007, at a discounted rate via the website. Adult tickets are £12 in advance and £15 on day. Student concessions are available; please see the website for more details.
