Farming in 2026: Reflections on the Oxford Farming Conference

In what he’d previously thought had a tendency towards elitism, Jeremy was surprised at the conference ‘feel’ this year, finding it “interesting and stimulating”.

“Roll on 20 years to today and it's quite a different event, it's not elitist at all - there's an awful lot of young people,” he said. “The conference has worked hard to provide many, many scholarships and there's a real range of people, views and different sort of day-to-day activities they carry out.”

Politics takes centre stage

The conference is traditionally addressed by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, taken as an opportunity for laying out Defra’s plans and this year was no exception. The Rt Hon Emma Reynolds took to the stage on the opening day and Jeremy was impressed.

“I think she is aware of what's happened in the relationship between the farming industry and the government over the last 14 months or so, and is aware that bridges need to be built,” he commented.

But he remains acutely aware agriculture and the environment are relatively “small fish” compared to health and defence when it comes to seeking money from the Government purse. 

“But within that, she's got to try and do what she can,” he added. “She does seem prepared to listen.”

The Minister’s speech had two main announcements. The first was to reiterate the setting up of the Farming and Food Partnership Board, a cross-industry panel, which Jeremy says should give farmers a seat at the table in policy development.

The more anticipated announcement was about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). The new scheme opens in 2026 in a more slimmed-down form than previous iterations. The first application window opens in June 2026 and is for ‘small’ farms without an existing agreement, although the definition of ‘small’ has yet to be confirmed. A second window opens for all other farms in September. 

Importantly for farmers, Jeremy says there was strong reassurance of no sudden scheme closures this time around. 

A new world beckons for farm profitability

The Minister’s speech was followed by plenty of discussion around two significant new industry reports, one commissioned by the conference organisers and written by Dr Louise Manning; the other published by Defra at the end of 2025 and written by former NFU President Baroness Minette Batters.

OFC’s UK farming: Grasping the opportunities, centres on how the industry needs to look in the future if it going to survive and be profitable. Similarly, the Defra report is an extensive review of farm profitability, comprising 150 pages and 57 recommendations. 

“The two reports between them generated quite a lot of debate at the conference, with the general view being that if the government actually read those two reports and put them into action, the world could be a different place for the farming industry,” says Jeremy.

But he questions whether a 25-year roadmap as proposed by Defra is what’s needed.

“There is a view, yes, 25 years is fine, but actually we need a five-year plan, we need a 10-year plan,” he says. “There's a lot of change and a lot of churn going on at the moment. To concentrate solely on what the world is going to be like in 25 years, just seems too far out.”

Is your farm investible?

One of Jeremy’s over-riding takeaway messages from the conference was the need to look at your own business. He firmly believes the days of subsidised food production are gone, particularly in England, and challenges farmers to think about whether their business is investible.

“Would a third party, a bank, or anybody else come to that, be prepared to invest money in your business because you can generate a sufficient return?” he asks.

Reflecting on the categorisation of businesses used in Dr Manning’s report, he reiterated the importance of several points discussed in previous podcast episodes – establishing your ‘why’ and your goals (series 5, episode 2), what you might stop doing or do instead (series 4, episode 3), the importance of working together as a family (series 2, episode 2 bonus).

“Farming businesses need to recognise their strengths and weaknesses and what the opportunities and threats are to them,” he suggests.

But he also acknowledged several conference sessions were about “enabling businesses to grow, thrive and survive”, such as trade issues and a need for greater realignment with the EU post-Brexit. He says he sees it’s Government’s role to be the enabler.

Farming in the year ahead

Turning to the year ahead, Jeremy is looking for some clear direction for the industry, disappointed with the last 18 months of leadership, or lack of it.

“I've no idea whether I can take [my various schemes] forward. I can't budget properly because I don't know. The industry does need to feel like it is supported by the government and that needs to be more than warm words.”

He also encourages farmers to look beyond 2026 and focus on business management.

“I think you've got to take a longer-term view and it's no good looking at one year in isolation,” he advises. “We just need to know our cost base and not be afraid to not do it if it doesn't work. That shouldn't be seen as failure, that should be seen as good business management.”

Returning to the conference theme of ‘Growing resilience’, Jeremy finishes by expressing his certainty of the industry having a positive future.

“The farming industry has proved to be remarkably resilient for many, many years and I don't see any reason why that's going to change,” concludes Jeremy. “The goalposts may be moving a bit, but I'm confident the industry is here to meet the challenge.”

Jeremy’s takeaway messages from OFC

1.     Is your business investible?

2.     Do you have a family roadmap, so you know your plan?

3.     Be prepared to grasp opportunities and adapt your business as and when required

4.     Don’t be reliant on Government; it is only going to be there to help facilitate, not support

Listen to the full main episode and bonus below - also available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

About our guest

Jeremy Oatey has worked nationally in farm management for both corporate institutions and private individuals. He returned to Cornwall to start Agricola Growers, providing land management solutions to local landowners. Jeremy also runs a vegetable processing company supplying major local food producers. He has been a member of Cornish Mutual for many years for both his business and private needs and is the current Board Chair.