Traffic was heavy approaching the Cereals 2008 show site at Heath Farm near Leadenham last Wednesday and Thursday when nearly 24,000 people flooded through the entrance gates.

For the two-day event, 64ha of Andrew Ward’s 650ha farm was transformed into the biggest arable event of its kind in Europe.

It featured more than 380 exhibitors and gave visitors direct contact with some of the country’s leading crop breeders, researchers and developers. In addition, there were 10ha of working machinery demonstrations and a line up of over 40 trailed, mounted and self-propelled sprayers from more 20 manufacturers.

Dominique Gill, Cereals event director, said: “This year’s Cereals was a runaway success thanks to the diverse range of content put on by exhibitors and by the enthusiasm of visitors to support the event.”

He said the UK arable sector is facing a challenging time with increased crop prices offset by rising production costs.

He added: “What was apparent from the comments made by the business consultants and bankers speaking at the event, growers with a strong technical understanding and focus, coupled with financial management which doesn’t leave them exposed to market volatility, can still make a good return from arable production for the foreseeable future.”

Event organiser Haymarket used the Cereals event to launch a sister event in Poland next year.

Mrs Gill said: “The Polish event will be organised by the same team that delivers the UK event in conjunction with Montgomery International and will mirror the unique field trials based approach that we have honed and was so well represented at the 2008 Cereals event.”

Cereals 2009 in the UK will be held on June 10 and 11 at Vine Farm, Wendy in Cambridgeshire.