The NFU said its presence during party conference season has provided a vital opportunity for in-depth discussion with policymakers, and a platform to explain the importance of farming at this critical political time, engaging directly with influencers and decision makers, including ministers, advisers and journalists.

This year, the NFU’s exhibition stand at both the Labour and Conservative party conferences have focused on the importance of farming to the economy, farming’s ambition for net zero, and the NFU’s education work.

It also highlighted the role robots will play on farm in the future, such as mapping fields and targeting specific activity to improve crops, complete with a hands-on demonstration of a mapping robot – Robot Tom – from the Small Robot Company.

Conference delegates were invited to pledge their support for British farming by signing a wheat pin badge and to sample food and drink from NFU members’ businesses, including apple and rhubarb juice, sheep’s milk hard cheese and vanilla and blackberry ice cream.

NFU president Minette Batters said: “This is such a valuable opportunity to showcase our sector and engage with both MPs and prospective parliamentary candidates.

“It’s crucial all politicians understand how important it is to connect with their farmers and rural communities and recognise how much they deliver for the nation and what more they can do with the right policies in place.”