This was the theme of the Oxford Farming Conference 2025 which heard from over 30 speakers across two days in January. The noise of the tractor horns blaring in protest to the government’s planned changes to inheritance tax laws for agricultural property could be heard over the first speaker, Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. That was one way of “facing change”, but there was little that was new announced with farmers again being told that food production was not enough, they also have to diversify their income and restore nature.
There seemed an effort from the OFC organisers to have a greater range of diversity amongst their speakers with a roughly even split between men and women, and speakers from a variety of nationalities, races, ages and other demographics. There was also a focus on mental health and neurodiversity, topics becoming more openly discussed in the agricultural world but any opportunity for further discussion should be welcomed.
Technology also saw a focus at the OFC, with opportunities for selective breeding in both plants and animals encouraged for the future. Genetic improvement can call to mind those early fears around Dolly the Sheep but have we moved on? Watch this space…
If you would like advice on any of the issues raised in this article, please contact Jennie Loynes, Senior Associate in our Agriculture Team here.
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