IN AN effort to 'cut through the noise' about climate change mitigation and farming, the NAEC at Stoneleigh will next month play host to the Low Carbon Agriculture Show.
The event, On March 8 and 9, promises industry 'heavyweight' speakers discussing new environmental policy on UK farms, as well as opportunities in carbon farming, and advances in renewable energy.
Representatives from the UK Government's agriculture, energy and transport departments will take part in the event's conference programme, as will the Welsh Government, the English National Farmers’ Union and the Country Land and Business Association. They will be speaking alongside over 100 expert speakers discussing topics ranging from soil health, carbon farming, and sustainable water management, to updates on environmental land management schemes, and dedicated sessions for each renewable energy type, as well as agri-tech and seminars on energy storage and Low Emission Vehicles.
“The show provides practical guidance and solutions for farmers wishing to increase the financial and environmental sustainability of their business and drive down emissions," explained event director, David Jacobmeyer. "It’s about helping them to make lasting connections with people who will assist them in the agricultural transition.”
Chaired by the NFU's chief renewable energy and climate change advisor, Dr Jonathan Scurlock, keynote presentations will include details on the agricultural transition, from Defra minister Victoria Prentis, alongside net zero ambitions from the Welsh government’s deputy climate change minister, Lee Waters. Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive at the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, will discuss the decarbonisation of the energy system. New for 2022, the carbon farming session, chaired by Susan Twining, chief land use policy adviser at the CLA, will discuss measuring, reducing, and trading carbon, as well as updating delegates on the much-awaited soil carbon code and factors to consider if sequestering carbon.
Read more: Farming for a Better Climate Group's mission to reduce emissions
Held in partnership with the ENFU, CLA and Energy Now, the Low Carbon Agriculture Show will also incorporate four expos – ‘Environmental Business Expo’, ‘Farm Technology Expo’, ‘Energy Now Expo’ and ‘Low Emission Vehicles Expo.’
The exhibition promises to be a hotbed of experienced advisors, developers, installers, financiers and related tech providers, including the Drax Group, Girdserve, Centrica, National Grid, Hutchinsons, The Environment Bank, Defra, Welsh Government, WWF, Agri-EPI Centre, Carter Jonas, Strutt & Parker, Fisher German, Caplor Energy, Hetas, the Forestry Commission, ADAS, Agrecalc, Barclays, Limejump and many more.
Visitors to the event will also have the chance to try out Low Emission Vehicles on a test track. Vehicles on display include the T6. 180 Methane Power tractor from New Holland, and agricultural Land Rovers which have been converted to 100% electric using a ‘drop-in’ kit from clean transport specialist, Electrogenic. Also being showcased will be Electric UBCO 2WD work bikes, the Eco Charger 2DW and 4DW quad bikes, and the Electric HiSun 4WD UTV / Work Buggy, all from Offroad Electric.
The electric Farmtrac tractor, distributed by Reesink Agriculture, will be at the show, alongside Listers who will be showcasing the Toyota Proace, the RAV4 plug-in hybrid, the C-HR Self-Charging Hybrid and the all-new Lexus NX Hybrid.
The event is free for farmers landowners and related agri/rural business owners – to register, go to https://lowcarbonagricultureshow.co.uk/register/.
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