A WIDE-ranging programme of seminars at the Great Yorkshire Show will bring to life the challenges and opportunities for those working in the rural sector.

For the first time, the three-day show - which starts on Tuesday - will host daily speakers, who will share best practice and inspire forward-thinking producers to make the most of the changing world of the food chain.

Show director Charles Mills said: “One of our key aims as an agricultural society is to encourage and promote innovation and efficiency in the British farming industry.

"Amongst our 130,000 or so visitors are tens of thousands of farmers who are passionate about what they do and who are keen to drive their businesses forward. Yes we care for the countryside, but to survive we have to be profitable and the two are most definitely not mutually exclusive.

"The daily seminar programme will bring together those keen to share their ideas, knowledge and experiences with those who are focused on ensuring that British agriculture remains at the cutting edge of world's producers. It's a global market now and we have to make the most of that.”

The venue for the seminars is the new exhibition hall which opened last month.

“It couldn't be more appropriate that the Great Yorkshire Show is the first public event to use our £11.5 million hall. We strive to be at the forefront of everything we do and this hall is state-of-the-art. It is a substantial investment – our largest ever - and is aimed at increasing revenue so we can keep ploughing back support to the rural industry. These seminars are just one example of how we deliver that aim.”

The wide-ranging programme will include a look at rural crime and North Yorkshire Police Commissioner, Julia Mulligan, of Elslack, will unveil the results of new research, in her role as chairman of the National Rural Crime Network.

The seminars are free but advanced registration is needed. For more information, visit greatyorkshireshow.co.uk/visitors/agriculture-at-the-show/agricultural-seminars-2016