Connecting research and innovation with farmers and industry

In between exploring the nooks and crannies of Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm, joining the festival vibe at Groundswell, or watching the spins and twirls of a Duxford Spitfire flying above us during the Hinxton variety plot tours the 2026 Niab programme brings together a wide range of technical agricultural activities across multiple sites and national events, creating a vibrant platform for discussion, learning and collaboration.

With a full calendar of open days, innovation showcases and appearances at major industry shows, Niab aims to support farmers in navigating the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

Open days are a cornerstone of Niab’s commitment to advancing productive, sustainable and resilient farming. While research papers, technical reports and digital tools all play an important role in sharing data nothing compares to seeing trials directly in the field. These events provide visitors with real-world evidence, hands-on demonstrations and immediate engagement with the Niab experts behind the science.

For growers and advisers, open days offer genuine agronomic value. They give visitors access to demonstrations that reflect real challenges – from emerging pests and diseases to the latest varieties, a first look at a new crop species that may feature on-farm in the near future to tools and advice to combat increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Trial plots, demonstration areas and guided tours help translate complex research into practical applications. Visitors can ask questions, compare varieties, discuss management strategies and take home insights that can inform decisions on their own farms.

For Niab staff, the events enable meaningful two-way dialogue. They help ensure that research remains relevant to industry needs, encourage collaborative problem-solving, and strengthen connections between Niab’s scientific teams and the communities they serve. Open days also create opportunities to gather feedback, explore new ideas and showcase long-term research that shapes the future of crop production. Across the open days and wider summer events, Niab will present an extensive mix of trials, demonstrations and technical sessions. These include:

• crop variety demonstrations – visitors can explore side-by-side comparison plots of commercially available wheat varieties and candidates. These plots highlight differences in vigour, disease resistance, maturity, lodging and yield potential
• agronomy and rotational trials – Niab will showcase research into sustainable soil management, nutrient-use efficiency, cover cropping, cultivations, rotations and integrated pest management
• pathology and disease management – Niab’s pathology specialists will walk visitors through disease development, treatment efficacy, varietal response and emerging threats
• meet the experts – specialists from across Niab will be available throughout each event to discuss specific crops, regional issues, technological developments and long-term research aims.

Summer 2026 Open Days

The 2026 summer event schedule reflects Niab’s commitment to supporting a forward-looking, research-led agricultural industry. Each event offers something different, from regionally relevant agronomy at Sutton Scotney to visionary systems thinking at Morley and the broad national showcase at Cambridge. Combined with high profile appearances at Cereals and Groundswell, Niab’s programme ensures that growers, advisers and partners have access to the latest evidence, innovation and practical guidance. Whether you are seeking variety insights, agronomy support, sustainable farming strategies or technological innovation, Niab’s 2026 summer events provide an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect and 
explore.

Central Open Day – Cambridge/Hinxton – 2 June 2026

The Central Open Day, at our Hinxton trials site just south of Cambridge, offers a comprehensive look at Niab’s national research programme, where visitors can explore extensive variety plots, crop protection trials, agronomy demonstrations and innovation projects. The Cambridge site also hosts specialists across multiple disciplines, making it an ideal event for those seeking detailed technical conversations.

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Farming Systems Open Day – Lincolnshire – 4 June 2026

New for 2026 Niab is opening up its Lincolnshire weed trials site to members and non-members with demonstrations covering black-grass management, a dive into disease pathology, a look at the opportunities with the Defra-funded ADOPT programme for on-farm research and an examination of how improving crop production helps tackle climate change.

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South Open Day – Sutton Scotney, Hampshire – 16 June 2026

Niab’s South Open Day focuses on research and agronomy tailored to farming conditions across the region. Visitors will gain insights into variety performance, fungicide comparison work, nutrient management and rotational studies suited to the region’s climate and soils. Technical demonstrations highlight strategies to address local pest and disease pressures, making this event especially valuable for growers and advisers working in the South.

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Morley Innovation Day – Norfolk – 18 June 2026

The TMAF Morley Innovation Day offers a forward-looking programme centered on systems thinking, regenerative agriculture and integrated sustainability. The Morley site is home to several long-term research projects examining soil health, reduced tillage, rotational diversity and resilience-building practices run by Niab. And Niab will also run its traditional winter wheat and barley variety demonstration tours plus fungicide programme plots. Visitors can also engage with collaborating organisations, reflecting Morley’s role as a hub for partnership-led research and knowledge exchange. This event is particularly popular with those exploring new ideas or seeking to future-proof their farming systems.

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In addition to hosting our own events, Niab will also have a strong presence at two key national shows.

Cereals Event – 10-11 June 2026

As the UK’s leading arable event, Cereals attracts a wide range of visitors from across the agricultural sector. Niab’s presence includes extensive demonstration plots, crop protection updates, agronomy insights and variety performance briefings. Specialists will be available throughout the two-day event to discuss trial results, emerging issues and research developments. With over 25 different crop species across 130 plots planned on the Niab stand, and its neighbouring Soil Hole exhibit sets the standard for ‘plant science into practice’ at the 2026 Cereals Event.

The Niab stand at the Cereals Event is known for providing the latest technical advice and research in variety choice, independent agronomy, soil and rotation management, crop genetics and data science. The full list of exhibits planned for 2026 includes:

• winter cereal variety demonstration plots – providing expert advice on winter wheat and barley choice for 2026/27 with 32 established and new candidate wheats and a selection of barley varieties
• advice on crop protection and nutrition including the latest information in new fungicide chemistry, new strategies and a comparison of wheat, barley and oat fungicide programme options and a demonstration of wheat variety 
  blends
• nutrient management strategies in winter wheat plots demonstrating integrated crop management strategies including the use of bi-cropping options, wheat and bean trap crops, biofungicides, and winter wheat blends
• weed management options in SFI herbal grazing leys
• regenerative agriculture research and information covering variety choice, nitrogen management, rotations, cultivations, tillage and soil management
• as part of the Centre for High Carbon Capture Cropping (CHCx3) platform a look at some of the UK’s under-utilised or novel crops that may feature on farm in the future in response to our need for a more resilient agricultural system, e.g. herbal grazing ley mixtures alongside triticale, flax, quinoa, buckwheat, and hybrid barley and rye
• uncovering the benefits of protein crops, including lupins, peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas and soya
• showcasing research into the genetic control of yield, yield components, disease resistance and quality traits in cereal crops using new plant breeding tools and technologies to help shape the future of our crops.

Niab at Cereals 2026

Groundswell – 1-2 July 2026

Groundswell is the UK’s premier event for regenerative and conservation agriculture. With growing interest in soil health and sustainable land management, Niab’s data-driven research provides evidence-based insights into regenerative practices. Demonstrations will focus on cover cropping, soil measurement, reduced tillage strategies, rotations and systemwide sustainability approaches with crop demonstrations in large crates. We will also be rolling out a varied seminar programme for visitors with short 15 minute presentations throughout the day in our marquee.

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 edition of Niab’s Landmark magazine. Landmark features in-depth technical articles on all aspects of Niab crop research, comment and advice. You can sign up for free and get Landmark delivered to your door or inbox:

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