THE whole farming industry would benefit from a better public image, but how do we go about delivering that?

That’s the challenge for the BBC’s Steve Peacock and Tom Heap who will address the England and Scotland Crops conferences respectively, in November.

It’s an issue the industry has shied away from, explains Crops deputy editor Julian Gairdner. “We want our readers to be better equipped to place good news farming stories into the mainstream press. It is crucial for the prosperity of the UK agricultural industry.”

The BBC duo will help the Crops conference audience become more media savvy by identifying what makes a good news story and what issues in farming appeal to the general public, Mr Gairdner explained.

“This year’s conference programme, Seizing control – creating success in a global market, will look at UK arable agriculture in the wider context of world trade and explore how growers can better market themselves through what they say, what they produce and how they collaborate.”

The conference at Perth, Scotland is on 16 November and at Linton, near Cambridge on 23 November.

For further information click here, email crops@rbi.co.uk or call 0208 652 4081