As the agricultural industry faces a seismic shift in economic policy and funding structures, Cereals 2026 is set to provide farmers with a survival roadmap when it takes place at Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm.
The theme for this year’s BASE-UK Regenerative Agriculture Stage at the event, sponsored by Tees Law, is “Growing Without Government Support” and the sessions will aim to cut directly to the heart of the challenges facing UK growers.
With traditional subsidies pivoting and input costs remaining volatile, the speakers will arm farmers with practical, biological, and financial strategies to build truly independent and resilient businesses.
Cereals, which is co-hosted by main sponsor Fruehauf, takes place on June 10 and 11 and is expected to attract 25,000 farmers and more than 650 exhibitors.
Jeremy Clarkson sees the event and the discussions taking place on the BASE-UK Regenerative Agriculture Stage as critical for shaping the future of farming.
He says: “It shouldn’t be controversial to say farmers deserve to make a profit. If we want British farmers to keep producing food, they have to be able to make a living doing it.
“Farmers are being squeezed from every side by a government that doesn't seem to understand how food actually gets onto plates. I’m looking forward to getting together with other farmers to figure out how we solve these issues ourselves.
“Cereals is an opportunity for us to come together and find the solutions we all need. We’re really looking forward to welcoming farmers from across the UK.”
The BASE-UK Regen Ag Stage will feature four pivotal sessions daily, designed to help farmers navigate a future without Government support. The themes from the day have been dictated by BASE-UK’s members across the nation.
In the morning, speakers will explore how integrated livestock can work with arable rotations and build soil health before then discussing how biologicals in modern farming could help to cut input costs.
In the afternoon sessions, there’s a deep dive into finance and understanding the true costs of production before lifting the lid on a rise in collaborations between farmers and through diversification projects, to help unlock new efficiencies and opportunities.
The day then ends with a networking session, allowing members and visitors to come together and meet the day’s speakers who will be announced in the coming weeks.
BASE-UK, the farmer-led group dedicated to regenerative systems, believes that while the transition is difficult, the potential for innovation has never been higher and that farmers are positive about the future.
“We’re excited to bring together like-minded farmers and professionals to explore how regenerative businesses can thrive within a changing industry,” says Rebecca Goodwin from BASE-UK.
“By encouraging 'outside-the-box' thinking, we believe this is a genuinely exciting time to be in agriculture, full of opportunity despite the challenges we face. Our members are very positive and innovative. This isn’t about having a dig at the Government, it’s about looking for positive solutions to move farming forward.
“BASE-UK is once again looking forward to hosting the Regenerative Agriculture Stage at Cereals, in partnership with sponsors Tees Law.”
Letty Glaister, Head of the Agricultural, Rural and Estates team at Tees Law adds: “As the agricultural landscape shifts away from traditional support structures, the importance of robust, forward-thinking business models cannot be overstated.
“Our role is to help farmers navigate the legal complexities of these transitions and that’s why we partner with BASE-UK and Cereals. The ‘Growing Without Government Support’ theme is important and we hope this will help farmers to secure their legacies and livelihoods in this new era of independence.”
In addition to the BASE-UK Regen Ag Stage, Cereals 2026 will also boast a range of new features. These include the Nofence Livestock Zone which will see animals and associated products at the event for the first time alongside the Clarkson goats. In a nearby area, there is also an area focused on young farmers and contractors called Kaleb’s Corner sponsored by Nick Young Tractor Parts and presented in association with the Young Farmers Programme sponsored by Michelmores.
There will also be ample food, drink, music and networking available in The Farmer’s Dog pop-up pub and The Diddly Squat Gin Bar sponsored by Barclays & Propel Finance. And for the first time in recent history at Cereals, there will be retail in the Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Both the main shop and a pop-up shop at the lowland barn will be open on the event days.
These new features will sit alongside regular attractions like the Seed to Shelf Stage sponsored by KWS, the Syngenta & CropLife Sprays & Sprayers Arena and other working demonstrations. Farmers can now register for tickets at www.thecerealsevent.co.uk and applicable trade can enquire online about exhibiting at the event. This is a business-to-business event and so registrations will go through an approval process. Members of organisations including BASE-UK, Farmers Weekly, the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC), Young Farmers, SBI and the National Farmers Union (NFU) will be automatically approved and receive a discount with their membership number.
To manage traffic, there will be comprehensive traffic measures in place and visitors are being asked to choose a preferred entrance date & time. New for 2026, visitors can also book a seat on a Cereals Bus from key locations across the UK including, but not limited to, Elveden Farms, Roy Ward Farms Ltd & Law Farming giving farmers priority access on arrival and helping to reduce traffic further. For more information, visit www.thecerealsevent.co.uk
