The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has long been a fixture in the UK agriculture calendar — but this year’s event carried particular significance as policy shifts, industry pressures, and an increasingly vocal farming community shaped the discussions both inside and outside the halls.
Q1. What were your first impressions of OFC 2026?
Clive:
OFC has always been a milestone in the agricultural calendar, but this year felt particularly pivotal. With England’s transition away from EU-era direct payments now largely complete, and Scotland signalling clearer direction of travel, the conference provided a timely opportunity to take stock and scan the horizon. The scale of change - particularly the massive reduction in support in England - is forcing profound, systemic evolution across the sector. OFC brought that reality into sharp focus.
Georgia:
Arriving into Oxford, the energy was incredible. As a scholar, I’d already spent weeks preparing, but nothing compares to walking into the Examination Schools alongside industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers. It felt like stepping into the centre of UK agriculture. The whole environment - the conversations, the speakers, even the protestors outside - made the experience exhilarating rather than intimidating.
Q2. What sessions or themes stood out most?
Clive:
Two reports dominated key discussions: Baroness Minnette Batters’ review of farm profitability and the OFC’s Grasping Opportunities. Both highlighted challenges around scale, fairness in supply chains, and structural profitability. The panel session underscored a recurring theme: consistent specification and supply reliability - often a function of scale - increasingly determine market access. But scale doesn’t always mean “big”; it can mean niche specialisation, market share within a segment, or locality. OFC showcased many of these varied pathways.
Georgia:
For me, the thread of resilience through collaboration stood out in almost every session. Farmers, academics, inventors, and advisors all emphasised the need to break out of silos and work together. Louise Manning’s Grasping Opportunities report really challenged us to think about partnership as a strategic tool, not an optional extra. And on a personal level, the “Growing Farmers” panel was inspiring - so much so that I stood up and asked a question in front of hundreds of people about how we engage the next generation in the industry. That moment alone made the conference for me.
Q3. What did you learn about the sector’s current pressures?
Clive:
Systemic pressures are intensifying: the sharp pivot in England toward environmental outcomes, the policy uncertainty around inheritance tax, and a growing sense of frustration among farmers.
The protests outside, following last year’s disruptive scenes, arguably signalled a more assertive voice emerging from the sector.
Georgia:
As a succession planning solicitor, I found it interesting how often conversations turned to inheritance tax and long term family succession planning. The 2025 APR/BPR threshold increases have clearly prompted many to reconsider decisions they had previously put off. What struck me was the consensus that succession planning is now essential for survival, not just good practice.
Q4. How did your personal backgrounds shape your experiences?
Clive:
Having seen decades of policy shifts, I’m always looking at the long-term structural effects: farm consolidation, capital investment, generational change, and the tug of war between social support and commercial productivity. OFC reinforced that we’re in a period of accelerated evolution — and not all farms will move forward in the same way.
Georgia:
I grew up on a farm in Aberdeenshire, so agriculture has always felt like home. But entering the industry as a solicitor during the pandemic meant the opportunities to engage with the industry were limited early in my career. The scholarship programme pushed me to use my voice, grow my confidence, and recognise how my legal work directly supports the future of rural businesses. I am very grateful to the Gregor Award for giving me this opportunity to do that.
Q5. What is the biggest takeaway for farmers and rural businesses?
Clive:
Expect continued evolution - in scale, in business models, and in expectations from buyers and government. Profitability discussions are intensifying, and the voice of protest is growing, not receding. Farms that can adapt to new market structures, collaborate effectively, and understand where they fit in the evolving landscape will thrive.
Georgia:
Start succession conversations early. Regardless of policy shifts, tax changes, or market pressures, planning ahead gives families more control and more options. OFC reinforced that these conversations can’t wait and that young people want to be part of them.
Q6. Will you be back next year?
Clive:
Absolutely. OFC remains one of the best places to feel the pulse of the industry, both the formal agenda and what’s happening outside the halls. I have been attending for many years and look forward to continuing to do so.
Georgia:
Without a doubt. OFC 2026 was transformative for me. I left with new confidence, new connections, and a renewed passion for the industry. I’d encourage anyone interested, whether seasoned or new to agriculture, to join us at OFC 2027.
Clive and Georgia have provided further thoughts on their experiences at the event in the below articles:
Oxford Farming Conference 2026 – A Scholar’s Perspective – Georgia Chalmers
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Senior Solicitor
