First Yorkshire Farming Conference takes place this week
26th January 2026
The first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference will be hosted later this week at the Great Yorkshire Showground, with a limited number of tickets still available.
The Yorkshire Farming Conference takes place on Wednesday 28 January 2026 at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre from 9am to 5pm.
Its trade show is fully sold out, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the event in collaboration with its farming networks, has confirmed.
More than 60 farming and rural businesses and organisations are set to participate, with nearly 40 industry speakers taking centre stage for a series of workshops, including a 2026 Briefing for Farmers covering financial and policy implications of government announcements, with an animal health briefing from leading veterinarian, professor Jonathan Statham of Bishopton Vets.
Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “This is exactly the response we hoped for. So many people from within this great industry are getting behind the Yorkshire Farming Conference.
“By holding a conference that’s loaded with farmer-to-farmer conversations and opportunities to connect with each other, there are so many great reasons to attend as a member of the farming community.”
What’s on?
High-profile speakers include James Rebanks, Cumbrian farmer and best-selling author, who will deliver an address on the Keynote Stage, sponsored by Barclays, before signing copies of his books, The Shepherd’s Life, English Pastoral and The Place of Tides.
Other industry names on the bill include Tom Carlisle, Yorkshire Dales farmer and social media star; Sue Pritchard, chief executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission; and arable farmer Guy Poskitt of Mark H Poskitt Ltd.
A wide range of agricultural topics, from whether UK agriculture is more in control since Brexit to farming being safer and stronger, will be covered by workshops chaired by the likes of Nigel Murray, MD of Booths, and David Exwood, deputy president of the National Farmers Union.
A session about The Farmer’s Role in the Big Food Picture will be opened by the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith.
For the first time in one place, the conference brings together the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s farming networks – Future Farmers of Yorkshire, Farmer Scientist Network, Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Women In Farming Network and Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network – to showcase the society’s work to support education and development, promote innovation and help farmers seize opportunities.
Mr Nixon added: “The Yorkshire Farming Conference is a great way to find out about the many ways you can benefit from the wide-ranging, year-round work of the society.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming the farming community to the Great Yorkshire Showground for this event. It’s going to be a brilliant occasion.”
Free blood pressure checks will be available at the Field Nurse stand.
The Yorkshire Farming Conference is for everyone working in agriculture and takes place on 28 January 2026 at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre from 9am to 5pm. Farmers can claim BASIS and NroSo (CPD) points at the event.
Tickets, priced at £25 + VAT, are available to purchase in advance only, here until 7pm on Tuesday 27 January, subject to availability. A discount is available for group bookings of 10 or more.
Tickets can also be purchased in person, subject to availability, from Russells machinery outlets in Boroughbridge, Eggborough, Malton and Northallerton.
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