Farmers raised their glasses on the eve of the two Oxford conferences earlier this month in a cider debate with a not-for-profit farmer network.

Suffolk cider entrepreneur Henry Chevallier Guild, who with brother, Barry, sold on the family’s Aspall Cyder business last year, was a panellist at the event, sharing a platform with Albert Johnson of Ross on Wye Cider and Perry and Barney Butterfield of Sandford Orchards.

“We tasted and discussed a cider from each or our stables, and the broader agenda around the future of cider. It was a fairly informal session with lots of interaction with a very engaged audience,” said Henry.

MORE - Council set to decide on drinks giant’s £10m upgrade plans for Suffolk cider plantThe fringe event, organised by Innovative Farmers, attracted delegates from the Oxford Farming Conference and Oxford Real Farming Conference and the debate saw around 230 guests enjoy and discuss samples with a panel of cider producers.

The event, which previously debated beer and cheese, aims to bring all types of producers together to talk about the benefits of farmer-led research and the three panellists discussed how the decisions and trials they made on farm affected the finished product.

Astrid Barrowman, Outreach Programme and Events Manager at Innovative Farmers, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the Great Cider Debate, it was brilliant to see so many people getting involved in the discussions around the different challenges and solutions in farming. The event was an enjoyable way for people from both conferences to experience the ethos of Innovative Farmers in allowing farmers from all different types of system to share knowledge and ideas.”

Henry shared his knowledge on how he has experimented with the numerous apple varieties to find those that provide the best flavour and thrive best on his land.