Joint venue farmers look at the real numbers

The fifth Joint Venture Farming Group Annual Conference keeps the real numbers in perspective this year as it looks towards farming post 2013. With an impressive array of speakers from all walks of farming and farm finance, the Joint Venture Farming Group (JVFG) event looks at the CAP, costs and competition. It is being held on 2 February at the Mansion House, Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Beds starting at 9.15am*,

JVFG chairman and Northants farmer, Charles Matts says: "With the volatility of world grain markets, a new CAP package for Europe, the UK coalition government with a spending crisis and farm businesses facing even more pressure on input costs, there’s plenty to discuss at this year’s JVFG conference. Our speakers will give their thoughts on the shape of future markets, the political landscape and how farm businesses must pay attention to the day to day running of their enterprises – keeping the real numbers in perspective."

Essex farmer and journalist, Guy Smith will chair the day and the speakers are: NFU President Peter Kendall, Allan Wilkinson, HSBC Head of Agriculture, Jack Watts from the HGCA and James Price, Farmers Weekly Young Farmer of the Year 2009. JVFG’s consultant, Jamie Gwatkin, together with three group members, will lay bare their farms’ real numbers and discuss their results within the JVFG benchmarking facility offered to members.

JVFG Chairman, Charles Matts continues: "Attending the JVFG conference means that delegates will hear at first hand from our expert speakers how the politics and economics of 2011 and beyond will affect your farming business. And the conference’s emphasis on the real numbers will encourage us to keep input costs, yields and farmgate prices at the forefront of business thinking. So whether you are interested in a global vision or making your farm operations more efficient, join us for a stimulating day."

The event is sponsored by HSBC and supported by Anglia Farmers Ltd, BASF, Claas, EFFP, Hardcastle Burton LLP, NFU, NFU Mutual, SIMBA, SOYL and Yara.

The event costs just £25 to non JVFG members. JVFG members receive two free places, with the £25 fee applying to further places booked.

Booking is via the website: http://www.jvfg.co.uk/conference11.asp – just open the "book online" page to access the online booking form.