Social media proved to be very popular at this year’s Oxford Farming Conference, according to the RHASS CEO Alan Laidlaw. Social media was useful not just as a way to reach people who were unable to attend themselves but there was also a high level of interaction online from those attending.

“The Twitter reach was phenomenal. I think what has happened in the last two years is we have seen far more interaction from the attendees,” said Alan Laidlaw who was one of 10 directors of the conference for the last three years.

“Interestingly more and more people are going onto our website and looking at the videos. I’m proud that we delivered a good programme and there were a lot of people there that hadn’t been before.”

The conference had a full schedule of speakers from across the globe including Michael Gove MP and journalist and advisor Eve Turow Paul.

“Getting speakers from all over the world helps us to realise that the challenges Scotland faces are not unique and it challenges farmers to hear from people they wouldn’t normally listen to.

“Michael Gove put together a strong presentation. It went down well,” Alan says. “That set the tone. You are really proud that you can get that level of speaker.

“Eve Turow Paul as a speaker was really fascinating. The politics section is something everyone wants to hear. But sometimes there are the ones that make me pause and think.”

There was a strong focus on consumer relationships with food and retailers at the OFC and Alan discusses “I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to engage people on where their food is coming from. We can help to tighten the gap between consumer and farm.”

Speaking about his term as a director Alan says: “As a volunteer as such, you get out what you put in. I won’t miss the demands of creating a strong programme.

“My take home message for those who haven’t been there is to get it in the diary for next year.”