Red Tractor had a busy and upbeat two days at Cereals, the UK’s largest arable event, at Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, with lots of worthwhile conversations despite the challenging weather.
The rain may have kept coming and the ground was hard going underfoot, but that did not stop people turning up. There was a steady flow of visitors to the Red Tractor stand across both days, giving the team a valuable chance to hear what was on people’s minds and talk through the pressures and priorities facing farm businesses.
A valuable chance to get out and speak with farmers
Paul McLaughlin, CEO of Red Tractor, said: “Cereals was a really valuable chance to get out and speak directly with farmers, growers and others from right across the industry. We heard honest views, important questions and practical feedback, and that really matters. Those conversations help us understand what people need from assurance and where we need to keep improving.”
Red Tractor’s seminar on the Seed to Shelf stage, featuring Philippa Wiltshire, Director of Standards & Operations and Deputy CEO, Alistair Mackintosh, Chair and Julian Sturdy, Combinable Crops & Sugar Beet Sector Chair was another highlight. It prompted open and lively discussion on the issues that matter most to farming businesses. The session gave people the chance to ask questions, share their views and hear more about where Red Tractor assurance is heading.
A shared commitment across the industry
The fact that so many farmers still came along and took part in such difficult conditions said a great deal about the determination and commitment that runs through British agriculture. Red Tractor left Diddly Squat encouraged by the level of engagement and by the shared commitment across the industry to producing trusted, high-quality British food.
Thank you to everyone who visited the stand, joined the seminar and took the time to speak with the team. We look forward to carrying those conversations on in the months ahead.