BOFIN heads to Cereals 2026 with packed programme of farmer-led innovation
BOFIN will return to Cereals Event this June with a packed programme of panel sessions, plot talks and networking events focused on the future of farmer-led innovation.
Across the two-day event, BOFIN will bring together farmers, scientists and agri-tech companies to discuss some of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing UK agriculture, from precision breeding and sustainable slug control to soil health and on-farm R&D.
A major focus at this year’s event will be the conclusion of the SLIMERS project, the three-year Defra-funded programme exploring smarter approaches to slug management. Visitors to the BOFIN stand will have the opportunity to hear directly from Professor Keith Walters alongside project partners Fotenix and FarmScan Ag as they reflect on the project’s findings and discuss what comes next for precision pest management technology and farmer-led innovation.
The event will also showcase progress from the PROBITY project, with Professor Nigel Halford and Professor Peter Eastmond joining BOFIN on stage to discuss how precision-bred crops are moving from research into real farm fields. The project marks the first time gene-edited crops have been grown on commercial farms in England outside a laboratory environment.
Alongside the science and technology discussions, BOFIN’s next generation of farmer triallists will take to the Young Farmers Stage to discuss how younger farmers are changing how R&D happens on farm and why farmer-led trials are becoming an increasingly important part of commercial farm management systems.
What’s on
Day One : 10 June
11:00am – 12:00pm
The Future is On Farm
Young Farmers Stage
Join BOFIN’s next generation triallists as they discuss how younger farmers are changing how R&D happens on farm and why farmer-led trials are becoming an increasingly important part of commercial farm management.
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Plot Talk & Networking Lunch
BOFIN Stand
Hear from scientists behind the TRUTH and PROBITY projects while exploring the plots currently in the ground at Cereals, alongside networking and practical discussion from the field.
3:00pm – 4:00pm
SLIMERS Talk
BOFIN Stand
Professor Keith Walters, Fotenix and FarmScan Ag reflect on the findings from the SLIMERS project and discuss the future of precision slug management and farmer-led agri-tech innovation.
Day Two : 11 June
8:30am – 9:30am
SLIMERS Breakfast Talk
BOFIN Stand
Start the day with breakfast and insights from the SLIMERS team as they explore what comes next for precision pest management technologies.
10:30am – 11:00am
Tech Insight: Precision Breeding
Seed to Shelf Mainstage
Discover how precision-bred crops are moving from research into real commercial farm fields through the PROBITY project, including the first gene-edited crops grown commercially in England outside a laboratory environment.
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Tech Insight: Sustainable Slug Control
Farmers Weekly Stage
Hear the latest developments in slug-risk mapping, resistant wheat and precision technologies designed to spot and target slugs more effectively.
Visitors can find the BOFIN team on stand throughout the event to discuss projects, ADOPT, BOFIN Launchpad and opportunities to get involved in farmer-led innovation.