Future Grasslands 2026
Save the Date Programme Link Register Now11, 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 |




