Agricultural industry experts will gather in Dorchester to discuss how producers are doing business and consider whether greater integration in the supply chain could pay off.

The Supply Chain Conference, organised by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and chaired by farm business expert Mary Quicke, will take place on November 14, 2018, at the Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester.

The day will focus on producers, helping them to consider what they should be thinking about in order to add value, diversify and further integrate with supply chains at home and abroad.

Philip Dolbear, AHDB’s knowledge exchange manager in the South West, said: “As farm businesses get more involved with their supply chains, this is a great opportunity for farmers to ‘up-skill’ and learn more about the world beyond the farm gate and how to effectively communicate with it.”

The conference includes a networking lunch and opens at 10:30am closing at 4:00pm. Admission is free with registration available online.

Among the speakers on the agenda is Dr. David Hughes who will bring his extensive global food industry expertise to the conference to address how producers can retain power and value in the supply chain amidst an ever-changing economic climate.

The packed programme will also look at what is happening in the world food marketplace, its relevance to UK producers, better business management and the economics behind it, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the supply chain.

Within the schedule, Paul Harris, chief executive at Real Success will lead a participative session to look at the communication skills needed in the agricultural sector.

Euryn Jones, regional agriculture bank manager with HSBC will also share his views on the future agricultural economy, including how the bank views business propositions to add value beyond the farm gate.