We’ll start the day with IPM expert Mark Ramsden from ADAS, who will look at why taking a holistic approach to IPM is becoming increasingly important. With insecticide resistance on the rise, Mark will explore the risks of relying too heavily on a single form of control and the practical ways farmers can build more options into their approach, including introducing novel and nature-friendly strategies.

We’ll then head out into the field with host farmer James Bucher to see how these ideas can work in practice. James will talk through the changes he’s making across the farm, including expanding crop rotations and blending varieties, trialling novel crops, integrating trees and improving soil health, to understand how these all play a part in his wider management strategy for reducing pest pressure.

There’ll be plenty of time to ask questions and discuss what approaches could work on your farm.

Rough outline of the day:

10:30am-11am: Arrival

11am-12:30pm: Talk by ADAS IPM Expert Marks Ramsden

12:30-1.15pm: Lunch (provided by NFFN)

1.15-3pm: Farm Tour with host James Bucher

Speakers

James Bucher: James Bucher farms Hall Farm in Knettishall, Suffolk, where he has transformed an intensive arable system into a more diverse, lower-input farm. He uses wider rotations, companion crops, wheat blends, reduced tillage, agroforestry and improved soil health to build resilience and reduce pest and disease pressure.

Mark Ramsden: Mark Ramsden is Head of Entomology and Principal Consultant at ADAS, with a PhD in invertebrate pest management. An agro-ecologist and crop protection scientist, Mark specialises in practical approaches to pest management, biological control and helping farmers build more sustainable, resilient cropping systems.

This event has been supported by funding from Neals Yard Remedies.