National Farm Management Conference 2024

The National Farm Management Conference, run by the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM) will return to the QEII Centre in London on 7 November 2024.

This year’s conference being themed as Intelligent management for the future, covering innovations in intelligent farm systems and how people management and a range of new technical and business skills, including automation and artificial intelligence (AI), remain vital to success.

The one-day event promises a vibrant range of speakers from across the industry and includes an opening session from Máximo Torero, chief economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) based in Rome. He will share set the global scene with a view on commodity prices, input costs and outline the challenges of scarcity of supply and cost inflation. 

John Shropshire, Chair of G’s, one of the leading vertically integrated European fresh produce businesses will relate these issues to the management of his own business. 

Andrew McLay from Innovate UK will look at future innovation opportunities and challenges in the agribusiness sector.

The first session will discuss people – specifically leadership in agriculture and personnel of the future, with expert insight from speakers from Harper Adams University, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, Morrisons and Forces Farming.

Led by Lincolnshire farmer and Agreena partner, Thomas Gent will then chair a session on ‘What sort of intelligent farm systems will we need for the future?’, specifically looking at the role of automation and AIas it pertains to future agricultural management.

Jack Bobo, from Nottingham University, will join the session alongside Ed Ford, from Dyson Farming and Matt Percy, Vice-President of Business Innovation with a specific focus on AIfrom John Deere in the USA.

To finish the day, delegates will hear a hands-on point of view from farmers David Jones from Hatton Bank Farm and sisters Kate and Vicky Morgan from East Yorkshire, on how we manage farms leveraging both high quality people and automation and innovation.