Scotland’s leading event for knowledge exchange in arable farming, Arable Scotland, has launched a new initiative which will take place at The James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, on Tuesday 24th February 2026.
‘Arable Futures’, Arable Scotland’s new in-person conference, will bring together people from across the arable sector to share insights, challenges and aspirations across the Scottish arable farming sector. The event aims to develop a shared understanding of what the future holds, challenge us to question how the sector responds, and identify actions that could be taken to create future resilience.
The event is free and open to everyone interested in the arable sector, including those at early career stage, and will be invaluable for anyone involved in the industry supply chain.
Dr Alison Karley, Head of Ecological Sciences at the Hutton said, “After several years of a field-based event, we’re excited to trial a new format for Arable Scotland. This conference-style event will bring together representatives from across the industry - and generations - to evaluate the challenges and opportunities for arable production. Our goal is to work collectively to identify actions that will future proof the sector.”
Four interactive sessions will bring together people involved in arable supply chains, farming and ‘value addition’. The first three sessions will explore what the future holds for the arable industry, natural capital futures and benefit-risk sharing across the sector, and future crops for climate resilience. These discussions will lay the ground for the fourth session to identify the future skills required for the arable sector.
A final wrap up session will decide what actions can be taken by the sector, and assigned to interested parties, to secure future sustainability and confidence.
The audio-enabled, independently moderated event aims to create an inclusive safe space for non-judgemental discussions about the future of the Scottish arable sector, reflecting the voices within and across generations. It will develop a shared understanding of what the future holds, challenge us to question how the sector responds, and identify actions that could be taken to create future resilience.
‘Arable Futures’ will be facilitated by The James Hutton Institute in collaboration with supporting organisations including the Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), SEFARI Gateway, and the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSCR).
The event will run from 9.30am-4.30pm at the Crop Innovation Centre, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie DD2 5DA.
To get details of tickets when they become available, sign up to Arable Scotland’s mailing list.
https://mailchi.mp/hutton/arablescotlandmailinglist
For more information contact Media Officer, Joyce Reid, joyce.reid@hutton.ac.uk, or on 07931 551 988
The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific organisation encompassing a distinctive range of integrated strengths in land, crop, waters, environmental and socio-economic science. It undertakes research for customers including the Scottish and UK Governments, the EU and other organisations worldwide. The institute has a staff of nearly 500 and 150 PhD students.
The Institute takes its name from the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment scientist, James Hutton, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern geology and who was also an experimental farmer and agronomist. More information at www.hutton.ac.uk.
