Rootstock 2025 Celebrates Another Successful Gathering of Farmers and Researchers

Rootstock 2025, held last week at Westpoint, concluded with resounding success, welcoming 332 attendees and featuring a distinguished lineup of 15 speakers from across the UK including Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Rootstock is a unique event bringing together leading agricultural researchers with hands on farming practitioners to explore ways to enhance farm profitability in an increasingly challenging financial and environmental climate. Mel Bradley, Conference Organiser, expressed delight at the strong turnout and enthusiastic feedback from delegates, some of whom described it as ‘the best farming conference they had ever attended’.

Notable speakers included John Gilliland, who shared insights into the Arc Zero project in Northern Ireland and the AHDB pilot involving 170 UK farms in baselining soil carbon. East Devon farmer Sam Walker captivated the audience with his engaging journey into organic farming and profitability.

Minette Batters, former NFU President and cross-bench peer, spoke at Rootstock for the first time in its three-year history. She commented, "My role was to provide the political context, addressing challenges like the changeover in government, the family farm tax, but also what Labour’s ambition is for farming. I love coming to Rootstock, it’s very farmer focused with a lot of practical discussion as well as an opportunity to catch up, with farmers coming from all over the South West. Farmers are part of the solution, but it does need others to step up on that journey.”

The conference concluded with a compelling address from Dr. Robin Jackson, who highlighted the growing momentum behind regenerative agriculture. “There is a palpable air of genuine optimism, a shared understanding that regenerative agriculture, or smart farming, isn’t just a trend—it’s an absolute necessity. It’s not just about producing food; it’s about regenerating ecosystems, revitalising communities, and nourishing future generations.”

Plans for Rootstock 2026 are already being made, with tickets going on sale in the Autumn at www.rootstock.ag.