The use of technology in farming, genetic manipulation and recycling organic waste are among the topics being presented at the 2019 Jersey Farming Conference.
This year’s free conference entitled ‘Farming Changes’ will be held at La Mare Wine Estate on Thursday 7 November. Other topics on the agenda include food system optimisation, the value of cover crops and how to engage more young minds on agriculture and horticulture.
Speakers include Professor Cristobal Uauy, Project Leader at the John Innes Centre, whose work has been recognised as the most outstanding PhD dissertation in Biological and Life Sciences in the US and Canada. He will be joined by Professor John Crawford, a Science Director from Rothamsted Research, who is currently working on a pilot project with Digital Jersey to explore the use of technology and data science to optimise the whole food system.
Soil Scientist, Dr Paul Gibbs, will be looking at soil and crop fertility and the impacts of adding recycled waste materials back to the land. Paul regularly visits Jersey to support the recycling of biosolids and green waste to agricultural land.
In the afternoon Helier Smith of Jersey Water will be discussing the protection of clear water in the island. Helier said: “Jersey Water is delighted to support the Farming Conference and to work alongside the farming community in safeguarding the island’s water resources from pollution. We fully support the farming community and recognise the key role it plays as one of the custodians of our islands countryside.”
The ninth Jersey Faming Conference has been funded by The States and organised by Farm Jersey. This year, the event will be sponsored by Jersey Water with lunch sponsored by Islands Insurance.
Economic Development Minister, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, said: “With the world changing at an increasing pace all industries need to ensure that they’re moving with the times, including farming. We need to play our part in protecting the world, through education and application of the latest technologies. With some fantastic speakers due to speak at the conference this year we hope there will be some interesting debate. Anyone who wishes to become more informed on these topics is welcome to come along and find out more.”
Everyone with an interest in the rural sector is welcome to attend the free event and can register at www.jerseyfarmingconference.com. The conference begins at 9am and ends at 4:30pm.
