Home » Events » Future Grasslands 2026

Future Grasslands 2026

Save the Date Programme Link Register Now

11, Nov 2026 – 12, Nov 2026 (All day event)

Grasslands have a vital role in helping to address the key challenges of climate change whilst also supporting food security. They provide vital resources for grazing livestock and serve a crucial role as biodiversity reserves, and potentially acting as carbon sinks. Emerging science and technologies are providing valuable insights into soil, pasture, and animal dynamics, paving the way for improved management in grassland ecosystems.

This conference will address and discuss grasslands in the wider economy, environment and ecology, climate change and food security as well as the tools and technology available to support future sustainability and policy decisions.

Event Programme
WEDNESDAY11th NOVEMBER 2026
11:00 - 13:00 Poster Viewing
12:00 NETWORKING LUNCH
13:00 Conference Welcome, Grasslands in the current and future landscapes | Grace Welling, Germinal Horizon
13:10 Session introduction | Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI
13:20 - 13:25 Virtual Comment | Recognising the Importance of Grasslands in the current and future ‘landscape’, and in the wider economy | Minette Batters
13:25 - 13:50 Keynote | Laura Awdry, NFU Livestock Board
13.50 Discussion / Q&A, chaired by Elizabeth Magowan, AFBI
14.20 REFRESHMENT (tea & coffee) BREAK
SOIL HEALTH
14:35 Session introduction | Amanda Bennett, AHDB
14.40 Soil is a Process | Andy Neal, Centre for Dynamic Soils
14.55 Soil health scorecard | Suzanne Higgins, AFBI
15.10 How should we feed the grass to feed the animal – how to take a soil first approach | Elizabeth Stockdale, Niab
15.25 A farmer’s perspective of soil health and the interaction of livestock to deliver food security and environmental enhancement | John Gilliland, Brook Hall
15.40 Panel discussion, chaired by Amanda Bennett, AHDB
16.10 REFRESHMENT (tea & coffee) BREAK
CARBON FROM GRASSLAND
16:25 Session introduction | Nigel Scollan, QUB
16.30 Quantifying Soil Carbon Stocks on Irish Grasslands | Rachael Murphy, Teagasc
16.50 Tools, technology and precision grassland | Rachael Ramsay, Agrecalc, SRUC
17.10 Panel discussion, chaired by Nigel Scollan, QUB
CLOSING REMARKS
17:25 Closing Remarks | Nigel Scollan, QUB
CONFERENCE DINNER
19:30 Conference Dinner
THURSDAY, 12th NOVEMBER 2026
08:00 - 08:45 Poster Viewing and Refreshments (tea & coffee)
PRODUCTIVITY IN A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
08:45 Session introduction | Christina Marley, Aberystwyth University
08.50 Productivity in a changing world and for a sustainable future | Iain Donnison, Aberystwyth University
09.05 Climate-proof grassland management | David Patterson, AFBI
09.25 Challenges and opportunities in the Scottish uplands | Davy McCracken, SRUC
09.35 Altered grazing systems – where are the 'win-wins'? | Prysor Williams, Bangor University
09.45 Panel Discussion, chaired by Christina Marley, Aberystwyth University
10:15 - 10:55 Poster Viewing and Refreshments (tea & coffee)
FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION
10:55 Session introduction | Michael Lee, Harper Adams University
11:00 Climate change impacts on the UK agrifood system: informing adaptation and resilience | Peter Falloon, Met Office
11.45 Food Security - Grasslands a single issue with multiple benefits | Judith Batchelar, Food Matters International
12:30 Panel discussion chaired by Michael Lee, Harper Adams University
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
13:00 Conference summary and close | Michael Lee, Harper Adams University