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Sponsors

Germinal
Stapledon Memorial Trust

Future Grasslands 2026

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11, Nov 2026 – 12, Nov 2026 (All day event)

Grasslands have a vital role in helping to address the key challenges of climate change whilst also supporting food security. They provide vital resources for grazing livestock and serve a crucial role as biodiversity reserves, and potentially acting as carbon sinks. Emerging science and technologies are providing valuable insights into soil, pasture, and animal dynamics, paving the way for improved management in grassland ecosystems.

This conference will address and discuss grasslands in the wider economy, environment and ecology, climate change and food security as well as the tools and technology available to support future sustainability and policy decisions.

Event Programme
WEDNESDAY11th NOVEMBER 2026
12:00 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:00 Conference Welcome, Grasslands in the current and future landscapes | Paul Billings, Germinal
13:10 Session introduction | Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI
13:20 Keynote | Recognising the Importance of Grasslands in the current and future ‘landscape’, and in the wider economy | Minette Batters
13.50 Discussion / Q&A, chaired by Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI
14.20 REFRESHMENT BREAK
SOIL HEALTH
14:35 Session introduction | Amanda Bennett, AHDB
14.40 Soil microbiome | Andy Neal
14.55 Soil health scorecard | Suzanne Higgins, AFBI
15.10 Soil and nutrition management | Elizabeth Stockdale, NIAB
15.25 Practical farm application | John Gilliland, Brook Hall
15.40 Panel discussion, chaired by Amanda Bennett, AHDB
16.10 NETWORKING BREAK
CARBON FROM GRASSLAND
16:25 Session introduction | Nigel Scollan, QUB
16.30 Role of grassland in net-zero carbon | Rachel Murphy, Teagasc
16.50 Tools, technology and precision grassland; modelling | Rachel Ramsay, SAC
17.10 Panel discussion, chaired by Nigel Scollan, QUB
THURSDAY, 12th NOVEMBER 2026
PRODUCTIVITY IN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
08:45 Session introduction | Christina Marley, Aberystwyth University
08.50 Productivity in a sustainable future | Iain Donnison, Aberystwyth University
09.05 Managing grassland | David Patterson, AFBI
09.25 Environment and ecology (uplands) | Davy McCracken, SRUC and Prysor Williams, Bangor University
09.45 Panel Discussion, chaired by Christina Marley, Aberystwyth University
10.15 REFRESHEMENT BREAK
FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE ADAPTION
10:40 Session introduction | Michael Lee, Harper Adams University
10.45 Adapting to climate change | Peter Falloon, Met Office
11.30 Food security from a grassland perspective | Sophie Throup, Myton Food Group
11.45 Panel discussion / Q&A chaired by Michael Lee, Harper Adams University
12.15 Conference summary and close | Michael Lee, Harper Adams University