Rootstock

Devon’s Future Farming Conference

Thursday 4th February 2027

Westpoint – Exeter

A conference for South West farmers on resilient, profitable, regenerative farming

South West agriculture is facing challenging times. Government policies, markets and even the weather have rarely been more unpredictable. Margins always tight have become tighter. As a consequence, planning for profitable farming is hard, while finding ways to adapt has become more critical. ‘New’ regenerative approaches based on a better understanding of natural processes, and working with the grain of public opinion to deliver health and environmental benefits, are growing in importance. 

Rootstock is a one day forward -looking conference for farmers in the South West to discuss new approaches and how famers can build profitable, resilient businesses in tune with nature. Sessions will be based around contextualised science, bringing expert scientists and practical farmers together. The conference aims to explore current farming trends, and inform and discuss the latest developments.

Earlybird tickets for farmers and DCAA members are now available. General sale tickets will be available in December.

 

About Rootstock

Rootstock is organised by the Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA) and hosted at its headquarters at Westpoint Exeter. The DCAA has played a leading role in the development of agriculture and the rural economy in Devon since its formation in 1872.

It’s flagship event is the Devon County Show, staged every third week of May at Westpoint near Exeter, as a gigantic shop window for local agriculture, horticulture, food and drink, rural crafts and forestry.

Rootstock was launched in 2023 to create a forum to bring science and farming together, sharing learning and experience in the regenerative space.

Rootstock is a fundraising activity of the Devon County Agricultural Association to help support agriculture and the countryside. Charity Number  292897

Our Farming Experts

2027 details to follow

Listen, Discuss & Learn

Informative conversations

2026 topics – 2027 details to follow

The Big Picture

Situational context for UK agriculture and the wider climate impact
Research: Professor Peter Falloon – Met Office
Panel: Alan Lovell
Chair: Martin Lines

Optimising Livestock Production

Impact of shelter and shade on welfare and production
Research: Dr Lindsay Whistance – Organic Research Centre
Panel: Professor Jim McAdam, Will Mayor, Lucy Noad
Chair: Dr Jennifer Rowntree

Building Resilient Arable Rotations

Strategies for optimising crop establishment and maximizing nutrient use efficiency
Research: Kits Campbell – Uni of Nottingham
Panel: Paul Baker, John Cherry, Annie Landless
Chair: Professor Andy Neal

Farm Profitability and Reflections

What makes farms profitable plus a summary and forward-looking discussion
Panel: Tom Martin, Chris Clark
Chair: Professor Matt Lobley

Planning your day

2027 Timetable – to follow closer to the event

Exhibitors

We look forward to welcoming the following businesses and organisations who will be exhibiting at Rootstock in 2026 (2027 exhibitors will be released closer to the event)

Revisit

Watch the 2026 conference

Did you get to Rootstock this year? If not not a problem as the sessions are now available online on our Youtube channel. Click or watch below

 

REVISIT

Previous Conferences

Why not take the time to sit back and watch the It’s In Our Roots podcast from the 2023 conference.

Further videos from the the 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026 Rootstock conferences including the full livestream available for playback are available to view on our YouTube channel.

Earlybird tickets for farmers and DCAA members are now available. General sale tickets will be available in December.

Testimonials

Happy Attendees

Very down to earth and some great speakers. I hadn’t really thought about it before but I think it fills a gap in Devon. We don’t really have a farmers’ conference for sharing knowledge about transitioning towards more sustainable ag. Feels like an annual event!

Catherine

Farmer

Mixing the academics with the farmer practitioners was novel to me as the regenerative world has not really had the opportunity to engage with the academic world to date. There is no profitable agribusiness to fund it. But this just makes the interaction all that much more important and you are to be congratulated for enabling it

Ian Boyd

Farmer & Rootstock speaker

Getting to talk alongside this team of experts in their respective fields today has been an epic educational adventure.

Ed Horton

Farmer & Rootstock speaker

I really enjoyed it and learnt lots, but the main thing I came away was feeling inspired there are some amazing people out there doing brilliant things.  If only we could bottle all this enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, knowledge and willingness to try new things (or often try old things!). I have come away excited and feeling more positive about the direction farming could go

Cath

A fantastic event, talk, knowledge sharing, inspirational speakers with SCIENCE to back it all up.

Farmer

Get In Contact

If you would like more details about Rootstock please keep watch on our social medias or please get in touch with us

Address

Devon County Agricultural Association (DCAA)
Westpoint
Clyst St Mary
Exeter
Devon
EX5 1DJ

Email

info@rootstock.ag

Phone

01392 353700