Breakfast event set to help unlock farming profits at the Nottinghamshire County Show

A breakfast event exploring the latest ways in which farmers can unlock new value from their land and assets is set to take place on the morning of this year’s Nottinghamshire County Show.

The event – titled Every Acre, Every Asset: The Mindset for Modern Farming – promises to showcase fresh thinking on strategic planning, diversification and positive change, helping farmers make their operations work smarter and more profitably.

Featuring a host of experts from across the agricultural sector, it will act as the curtain-raiser to the show, which takes place at Newark Showground on May 9 and will be chaired by this year’s show president, Sir Mark Spencer.

Sir Mark, who runs the third-generation, family-owned Spring Lane Farm in Mapperley Plains, hosted a similar breakfast event last year, which focused on inheritance tax and attracted a sell-out audience.

This year, he is looking forward to discussing new ways to unlock productivity, alongside a panel including three representatives from property and business consultants Brown & Co, namely Chris Sheldon, partner in agricultural business consultancy, Henry Haworth, energy manager, and senior associate Alistair Anderson.

They will be joined by David Hanson, relationship director for agriculture at NatWest, for the event, which is being supported by the Farming Community Network, a charity which promotes health and well-being amongst the farming community.

The Nottinghamshire County Show is the first major agricultural show in the UK calendar and, as a result, will give livestock breeders their first opportunity in 2026 to taste glory in the judging ring.

This year the show organisers, the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society (NNAS), is expecting a bumper number of competitors, with entries in the sheep category looking particularly strong.

Elsewhere, the National Sheep Association Young Shepherd will host its heat for the central region, there will be equestrian events, trade stands displaying the latest agricultural machinery and a line-up of entertainment in the main ring.

And, following feedback from 2025’s show, this year’s show will feature an Ask a Farmer area, with a panel of experts available throughout the day to answer questions on topics ranging from poultry and dairy to arable farming.

Sir Mark said: “Last year’s breakfast event was a real success and this year’s will be more forward-looking with a positive message looking at the opportunities within the sector.

“I’m looking forward to it and to attending the show itself, which I’ve always regarded as a great chance for the farming community to come together and to engage with the public to talk about the excellent work that’s taking place across the industry.”

To register your place at the 9am breakfast event please email admin@newarkshowground.com by May 1 or phone 01636 705796. Tickets and information on how to become a member of the Society and enjoy exclusive access are available at www.nottinghamshirecountyshow.com