Farmers Voice 2026 event to explore routes into farming

Farmers Voice 2026 will be held at Hexham Auction Mart on Wednesday, October 14, starting at 6pm.

The free event, organised by youngsRPS and The Farmer Network, will tackle the changing face of agriculture and the opportunities and challenges facing the next generation.

Harry Morshead, director and rural surveyor at youngsRPS, said: “There isn’t one route into farming, and that’s something we really want to explore at Farmers Voice.

“Taking on a family business brings its own opportunities and pressures, while for somebody trying to establish themselves independently, the challenges can be very different.

“Farmers Voice is about bringing those experiences together, asking questions and having an honest conversation about where farming goes next.”

This year’s event, themed ‘The Next Generation of Farmers’, will examine succession and routes into farming beyond the family business.

The panel will also examine lessons from farming overseas, bluetongue, emerging livestock diseases and opportunities for the next generation.

The panel will include The Sheep Game creator Cammy Wilson, Mr Morshead, Black Sheep Vets’ Kaz Strycharczyk, and farmers Will Riddington and Katie Andrews.

Adam Day, managing director of The Farmer Network, said: “Encouraging and supporting the next generation is fundamental to the future of farming.

“Whether someone is already farming, preparing to take over a family business or trying to find their own route into agriculture, we want them to come along and be part of the conversation.”

The event is open to farmers, students, new entrants and anyone interested in the industry’s future.

The audience can put questions to the panel, and supper will be provided.

Previous Farmers Voice events gave the farming community a forum to discuss issues affecting their businesses and the wider industry.

Entry is free, but places must be booked in advance.

Book tickets online at https://bit.ly/FarmersVoice26.