Ask our farmer visitors what they get from Innovation Day and the answer is often the same: “good conversation and help with my decision-making”. It’s a successful recipe, savoured by our guests and exhibitors at our 2026 event.
More than 200 farmers made their way to the 2026 TMAF Innovation Day at Morley Farms.
Each year the Innovation Day is held at a carefully chosen new location on TMAF land in the heart of Norfolk. The site must have the trials – whether run by TMAF, NIAB or BBRO – and crops, such as sugar beet, in easy reach.
This year there were 15 exhibitors – from trades, organisations, advisors and academics.
The welcoming array and display encircled a social area where a marquee gave much needed shade this year to enjoy good conversations, as well as juicy burgers and delicious cake.
Farmers find help and options for their decision-making
Farmer Chris Eglington from Shipdham said he enjoyed the Innovation Day for the trials sites he saw, and as a social event but also because it gave him the chance to talk. “I have had useful conversations for work with people I needed to see and hear advice from. I also looked at the varieties here today and that has helped me decide which barley variety to plant.”
From Docking, farmer Joe Holgate was a first-time visitor to a TMAF Open Day. “For me, this has been an excellent chance to see new varieties and make decisions on the planting later on this year for the next crop.”
Local farmer Richard Hastings also said he learned about new varieties. “Today has helped me to make my variety choice for next year. But almost as important, I’ve done some good networking.”
What are the most frequently asked questions by farmers?
During the day, NIAB Cereal Variety Specialist Clare Leaman hosted a succession of groups of dozens of farmers. “There’s been a lot of interest in how to minimise risk through variety choice. Farmers are mindful that varietal resistance to rust has broken down this year. They are asking about new group one breadmaking varieties and about drought tolerance.”
Dr Aoife O’Driscoll, a senior research scientist at Niab specialising in cereal pathology, crop protection and the development of innovative approaches to integrated pest management, felt there was more interest than ever in biological fungicides. “I’ve been asked whether they will work and what products will come to market soon. They want to understand the tools to help their decision-making.”
Abi Brook is a final year TMAF-supported PhD student. She felt it was good to get farmer feedback on the work she has already done. “I find its good to talk with farmers and advisors as getting their opinions and perspectives is still very useful at this stage. She added “I think it’s good to show how TMAF money invested in a PhD to help farmers has been spent.”
Daisy Garrod is at the very start of her TMAF-supported PhD and her first Innovation Day at Morley Farms. I am studying ergot and it helps my PhD to get firsthand perspectives from farmers on the problems my PhD is focussed on. Farmers explain things they are doing to control ergot that I may not have heard of.”
Why is the TMAF Innovation Day so respected?
It’s taken years to build the TMAF Innovation Day as a go-to event in the summer events calendar. “It’s become a great opportunity for researchers to meet farmers because of the style and reputation of this event” according to Hannah Parish, Niab head of National Trials Operations. “There’re no ‘hangers-on’, the audience is farmers and others truly involved in crop production. You get decision-makers and other research organisations all together in one place.”
In one of the tents in the centre, AHDB’s Head of Arable Agronomy Emma Willis and her colleagues were illustrating current and future trials at Morley through games. “Our topics include weed seed bank, nitrogen use efficiency and weed identification. These games help farmers to get to grips with the subjects of our studies. But it’s also good to talk with farmers and others and get their perspectives and priorities.”
Rob Holland from Anglia Water agrees the event is good for connecting with farmers in the area and answering their questions on grants available and if shortage of water will lead to a hosepipe ban. “Compared with other open days and trials event over the summer, at the TMAF open day I have much more engaging conversations with farmers who want to make decisions for themselves. I never miss the chance to come and take part.”
From this year to next
Even as the 2026 TMAF Innovation Day came to a close, Morley Farm Manager David Jones is already planning the event for 2027. “We’ve got an excellent reputation now for getting the sights, the evidence and the advice that’s useful all in one location for the farmers we welcome year after year, and for newcomers. Our reputation means our Open Day gets put in the diary early so farmers keep the time for what’s to see, learn and discuss here at TMAF Morley Farms.”