In today’s environmentally aware world, farmers are coming under increased pressure to adopt more efficient agricultural systems thereby making the best possible use of resources by minimising the use of high energy inputs, such as pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, fossil fuels and water, without loss of food quality and yield. The challenges are to maintain, or preferably increase, productivity and profitability, whilst reducing any potentially negative environmental impacts of farming. However, there are still many who believe that low inputs mean low outputs.

Successful optimisation of inputs offers multiple benefits – lower production costs; improved environmental protection; reduced energy inputs; and enhanced consumer confidence. New research and new technological developments are helping to make this goal more achievable. This conference will adopt a whole farm approach and consider all farm inputs and the techniques available for their optimisation. It will bring together scientists, advisers and farmers to debate all of the issues and evaluate all the new opportunities.