Farming and Estate Diversification
'SECURING THE FUTURE'
A one day conference - Wednesday 30th January 2008
Sponsored by The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AMC)
Key info
Conference Venue:
Blenheim Palace
Hospitality Suite
Woodstock
Oxon OX20 1PX (map)
Date:
Wednesday 30th January 2008
Cost per delegate:
£349.00 + Vat
EarlyBird Discount: Book before 31st Oct '07 £299.00 + Vat
Or call us on 01869 347874
to reserve your place or
register interest online
Now is the time to diversify.
In recent times depressed agricultural markets, adverse weather conditions and livestock epidemics seemed to have brought the British countryside to its knees. Today, with recovery underway, traditional rural management is being replaced with thought provoking and innovative enterprise which encourages diversity and builds a sustainable rural economy.
Globalisation, agricultural commercialisation, market forces and increasing trade liberalisation are impacting significantly on rural livelihoods. Changing times require novel approaches to business management and development. While the changes are leading to new opportunities, neglecting your business’s existing activity to establish or run a new business is one of the inherent dangers. Ignoring the danger will inevitably lead to reduced returns in the interim period. You may even jeopardise your livelihood or the ongoing viability of the farm's core business.
This practical one day conference is aimed at those working at the grass roots of the rural business industry and will provide a platform for debating the issues involved in ensuring best practice for current management whilst supporting moving your business forward.
The 2008 Farming and Estate Diversification Conference is the essential guide for the modern rural business manager
The conference is aimed at:
- Those involved in managing rural property from private farms to estates who want to capitalise on their assets
- Those managing the landholdings of public and private institutional bodies
- Farmers and smallholders who are looking to diversify
- Those working in rural business who want to explore opportunities open to them
- Rural Business Advisors
Conference Schedule
|
09.30 -09.35
|
Welcome Alick Jones, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation |
|
09:35 – 10:15
|
Overcoming the barriers to farm diversification Henry Aubrey-Fletcher will take a look at the barriers to diversification in relation to the conversion of redundant farm buildings to office use. These barriers include governance, business structure, finance, planning, highways, car parking, environmental impact, NIMBYism, poor design, connectivity, poor marketing knowledge, single agency, and tenant support amongst others.
|
|
10:15 – 10:55
|
Funding and the new Rural Development Programme The presentation will cover the new Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) which has a total budget of about £400m, in the South East region, for the period 2007 to 2013. This programme provides support to land managers, farmers, growers, foresters and rural communities. Terry Bradfield will explain how the funding works and the types of activities that will be eligible for support.Terry Bradfield, SEEDA |
|
10:55 – 11:10
|
Refreshments |
|
11:10 – 11:50
|
Income Stream Diversification – Deepdale A Case In Point
Jason Borthwick, Earthly Ideas, Diversification, Environmental and Marketing Advice |
|
11:50 – 12:30
|
VAT Issues arising from diversification The session will provide an overview of opportunities and pitfalls for the diversifying farmer, covering the scope of VAT, VAT recovery, partial exemption and establishing your VAT strategy. Anne Holt, VAT & Indirect Taxes Senior Manager, Grant Thornton UK LLP |
|
12:30 – 13:00
|
Game shooting, how to maintain economic viability and enhance biodiversity Game shooting can provide valuable extra income to a farm or estate but it is important that it is managed sustainably to avoid adverse impacts and enhance biodiversity. In this session Stewart will look at how to marry economic viability with conserving both game and wildlife. Stewart Scull, Head of Gamekeeping and Wildlife Management, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation |
|
13:00 – 14:00
|
Lunch |
|
14:00 – 14:30
|
Equestrian Diversification – Possibilities and Practicalities With more than a million horses in Britain ridden by some 4.3 million riders - seven percent of the British population - and an estimated annual spend of around £2.6 billion on horses and riding (including £732 million on lessons) there are clear attractions to the farmer who is considering diversifying into equestrianism. But if this were a goldmine with inexhaustibly rich seams the number of riding schools and livery yards in this country would be expanding at a prodigious rate. They are not. In his presentation, Graham Cory will contrast the opportunities with the problems. Graham Cory, Chief Executive, The British Horse Society |
|
14:30 – 15:10
|
The impacts of CAP reforms on the diversification activities of tenant farmers in England
Professor Brian Ilbery, Professor of Rural Studies, University of Gloucester |
|
15:10 – 15:50
|
Property development – unlocking the value
Charles Campion, Head of Rural Practice, Western Region, Savills |
|
15:50 – 16:05
|
Refreshments |
|
16:05 – 16:45
|
Novel Crops and Livestock
Mr Steven Thomson, Agricultural Economist, Scottish Agricultural College |
|
16:45 – 17:25
|
Tourism & Accommodation, traps for the unwary
Julie Butler, Partner, Butler & Co |
|
17:25
|
Roundup and Close Alick Jones, The Agricultural Mortgage Corporation |
