YEN Conference 2026 :
How to enhance crop yield and impacts on economic and environmental sustainability
Venue: Kingsgate Conference Centre in Peterborough
Date: Tuesday, 27 January
Time: 9am - 5pm
| Time | Agenda |
| 09:00 | Registration |
| 09:30 | Welcome & Opening Remarks, Chair - Tim Issac (CERES Research) |
| 09:40 | Keynote Talk - Importance of increasing farm productivity, Mario Caccamo (NIAB) |
| 10:00 | Impact of high yields on profitability and sustainability, Christina Baxter (ADAS) |
| 10:20 | Dealing with a variable climate, Chair - Sarah Kendall (ADAS) |
| 10:25 | Impacts of dry and wet conditions on crop performance, Pete Berry (ADAS) |
| 10:50 | Panel discussion: Best practices for climate resilience - Todd Jex (Agrii), Pete Berry (ADAS) and Dmitry Feoktistov (NFU) |
| 11:20 | Break |
| 11:50 | YEN Awards, Chair - Roger Sylvester-Bradley (ADAS) Awards Host - Tom Allen-Steven (BOFIN) |
| 12:50 | Lunch |
| 13:50 | From YEN Lessons to Grower Guidance; Chair - Sarah Clarke (ADAS) |
| 13:55 | A) Oilseeds, Tom Wilkinson (ADAS) |
| 14:10 | B) Pulses, Charlotte White (ADAS) |
| 14:25 | C) Cereals, Roger Sylvester-Bradley (ADAS) |
| 14:50 | Q&A on YEN Lessons for crop yield enhancement |
| 15:05 | Working with growers to realise improvements, David Hawcroft (BASF) |
| 15:15 | Break |
| 15:25 | Panel Discussion: 'Exploiting yield lessons' - David Hawcroft (BASF), Paul Barnes (Grower), Peter Southwell (Grower) and Daniel Kindred (ARC) |
| 15:55 | YEN: Future Plans, Chair - Tim Issac (CERES Research) |
| 16:00 | Plans for Pulse YENs, Erin Matlock (ADAS) |
| 16:05 | YEN & Beyond, Sarah Kendall (ADAS) |
| 16:10 | Final Remarks, Tim Issac (CERES Research) |
| 16:15 | Refreshments |
| 17:00 | Conference Close |
The overall aim of the YEN is to foster and encourage innovations in the agriculture industry which improve crop performance. We particularly strive to recognise farmer-led innovations that enhance crop yields.
Any YEN entrant or official YEN Sponsor can nominate any farmer participating in the YEN for the award by completing the form below. The winners will be announced at the YEN Conference, and your role in the nomination will be recognised.