Agronomists' Induction 2021

The Agronomists’ Induction returns this year for an in-person event! 

Early career agronomists can learn all about AHDB, our tools and services as well as meeting key staff.

The event will start with a networking lunch on Tuesday 26 October until lunchtime on Wednesday 27 October. There will also be a networking dinner on the evening of 26^th for those able to join us.

Day one will focus on IPM, with sessions on monitoring and managing key pests, weeds and diseases. Day two’s focus is on the environment, including soil management, crop nutrition, carbon and practical ways to embrace new agricultural policy.

Both days will include presentations and workshops covering cereals, oilseeds, potatoes, legumes and sugar beet.

BBRO, PGRO, LEAF and Basis will also be sharing information at the event.

Day one programme* – Tuesday 26 October           

12:00  Registration, lunch and exhibitions

13:00   Chair’s welcome

Richard Meredith, Head of Knowledge Exchange Arable, AHDB

13:10   Session 1

Download Slides from Session 1 (PDF)

Chaired by Richard Meredith, Head of Knowledge Exchange Arable, AHDB

What’s next for AHDB?

Martin Grantley-Smith, Sector Director (Cereals & Oilseeds), AHDB

Pests and beneficials

Sue Cowgill, Crop Protection Senior Scientist (Pests), AHDB

Varieties and lower inputs

Paul Gosling, Crop Production Systems Senior Scientist (Recommended Lists), AHDB

13:55   Workshop session

Group A – How to ID pests and beneficials

Sue Cowgill, Crop Protection Senior Scientist (Pests), AHDB

Group B – How to utilise variety choice

Paul Gosling, Crop Production Systems Senior Scientist (Recommended Lists), AHDB

Group C – How to apply chemicals; application techniques

Harry Henderson, Knowledge Exchange Technical Manager, AHDB

14:35   Session 2

Download Slides from Session 2 (PDF)

Chaired by Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

Crop walking: weed and disease management

Robert Saville, Crop Protection Scientist (Diseases), AHDB

Strategic Potato Farm results

Alex Wade, Arable Knowledge Exchange Manager (South East), AHDB

15:10   Workshop session

Group A – How to utilise variety choice

Paul Gosling, Crop Production Systems Senior Scientist (Recommended Lists), AHDB

Group B – How to apply chemicals; application techniques

Harry Henderson, Knowledge Exchange Technical Manager, AHDB

Group C – How to ID pests and beneficials

Sue Cowgill, Crop Protection Senior Scientist (Pests), AHDB

15:50   Session 3

Download Slides from Session 3 (PDF)

Chaired by Rose Riby, Arable Knowledge Exchange Manager (North East) AHDB

An introduction to BBRO

Simon Bowen, Head of Knowledge Exchange, BBRO

An introduction to PGRO

Becky Howard, Research and Development Manager, PGRO

16:35   Workshop session

Group A – How to apply chemicals; application techniques

Harry Henderson, Knowledge Exchange Technical Manager, AHDB

Group B – How to ID pests and beneficials

Sue Cowgill, Crop Protection Senior Scientist (Pests), AHDB

Group C – How to utilise variety choice

Paul Gosling, Crop Production Systems Senior Scientist (Recommended Lists), AHDB

17:15   Session 4

Download Slides from Session 4 (PDF)

Chaired by Philip Dolbear, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager (South West), AHDB

Wheat fungicide margin challenge

Philip Dolbear, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager (South West), AHDB

YEN & YEN nutrition

Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

On-farm trials

Michelle Nuttall, Knowledge Exchange Manager (North West & NI), AHDB

Innovative Farmers field labs

Fiona Geary, Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

17:45   Close for day one

Networking dinner

18:30   Meet in bar (cash bar)

19:00   Guests to be seated for dinner

21:00   After-dinner quiz

*Details correct at time of publication

Day two programme* – Wednesday 27 October

08:45     Chair’s welcome

Alex Wade, Knowledge Exchange Manager (South East), AHDB

08:50     Session 5

Download Slides from Session 5 (PDF)

Chaired by Alex Wade, Knowledge Exchange Manager (South East), AHDB

Introducing flowering strips on farm

Aoife O’Driscoll, Senior Specialist – Crop Protection and Agronomy, NIAB

Monitoring and measuring carbon

Sarah Wynn, Managing Director – Climate Change and Sustainability, ADAS

09:30     Workshop session

Group A – How to assess and manage soil

Amanda Bennett, Resource Management Scientist (Soils), AHDB 

Group B  – How to design a nutrient management plan

Georgina Key, Resource Management Scientist (Crop Nutrition), AHDB  

Group C – How to run an on-farm trial

Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

10:10    Session 6 

Download Slides from Session 6 (PDF) 

Chaired by Michelle Nuttall, Knowledge Exchange Manager (North West & NI), AHDB

Crop nutrition

Georgina Key, Resource Management Scientist (Crop Nutrition), AHDB  

An introduction to BASIS

Jade Prince, Business Development Executive, BASIS

An introduction to the Voluntary Initiative

Phil Jarvis, Voluntary Initiative Chair, Voluntary Initiative

11:00     Workshop session

Group A – How to design a nutrient management plan

Georgina Key, Resource Management Scientist (Crop Nutrition), AHDB  

Group B – How to run an on-farm trial

Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

Group C – How to assess and manage soil

Amanda Bennett, Resource Management Scientist (Soils), AHDB 

11:40   Session 7

Download Slides from Session 7 (PDF)

Chaired by Judith Stafford, Knowledge Exchange Manager (East Midlands), AHDB

Soil health

Amanda Bennett, Resource Management Scientist (Soils), AHDB

Livestock in the arable rotation

Lizzie Sagoo, Principle soil scientist, ADAS

12:20     Workshop session

Group A – How to run an on-farm trial

Emily Pope, Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager, AHDB

Group B – How to assess and manage soil

Amanda Bennett, Resource Management Scientist (Soils), AHDB 

Group C – How to design a nutrient management plan

Georgina Key, Resource Management Scientist (Crop Nutrition), AHDB  

13:00   Session 8

Download Slides from Session 8 (PDF)

Chaired by Richard Meredith, Head of Knowledge Exchange Arable, AHDB

The future of farming: an agronomist’s perspective

Patrick Stephenson, Arable Advisor

 

13:25   Conference close