Transition Live: Practical know-how and expert advice
© Richard Stanton Farmers Weekly’s inaugural Transition Live event has been hailed a success after hundreds of visitors descended on Cambridge University’s Park Farm.
The event took place in warm, spring sunshine and visitors were able to choose from a range of lively panel sessions on how to make farming sustainable through the transition period and beyond.
Issues were covered by farmer-speakers, policymakers and key industry experts under three broad headings – food production, business and the environment.
Audience and expert panels engaged in lively discussions © Phil Weedon
Some of the topics covered:
- Taking the risk out of farm businesses
- Collaboration
- Long-term planning
- Tree planting
- Generating revenue from natural capital
- Managing carbon
- Renewable energy opportunities
- Improving soil health
- Optimising arable margins
- Securing the future of livestock farming.
The then Defra secretary Steve Barclay also delivered a keynote speech after driving directly from a debate in Westminster. Mr Barclay stayed at the event to answer queries and listen to concerns of visitors.
Beyond the debates in conference marquees, there was also an option to take part in a farm walk hosted by Cambridge University’s Park Farm manager Paul Kelly.
Visitors took advantage of a tour of Cambridge University’s Park Farm © Phil Weedon
The host farm is a Linking Environment And Farming (Leaf) demonstration unit with a 230-cow housed Holstein-Friesian dairy herd, a 265ha contract-managed arable unit and a flock of 250 North Country mules.
Paul explained to groups of visitors how he and his team had improved the carbon footprint of the dairy herd while cutting costs and boosting efficiency.
Lunch break offered a chance to relax in the warm, spring sunshine © Phil Weedon
He also set out how the farm had installed and manage a 44kW slurry-fed, anaerobic digester plant.
Visitor responses highlighted the farm walk, informative sessions and the chance to network as reasons why they plan to attend next year’s event.
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During the series we follow our group of 16 Transition Farmers through the challenges and opportunities as they seek to improve their farm businesses.
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