Immediate practical issues for farmers include the disposal of dead livestock.

BBC: Deep snow still lying in some areas of Northern Ireland

Last year's event was themed around the idea of software to help farmers and other users tackle issues raised by climate change.

BBC: Technology

Last year a group of organic and family farmers sued Monsanto over similar issues, saying the pervasiveness of genetically modified crops elevates the risk of contamination of their crops with patented GMO traits, and raises the risk they will be sued by Monsanto for patent infringement.

MSN: Food safety group calls for court to limit GMO seed patents

Kuan-Shu aims to transform one of the area's abandoned sugar factories into an educational center for local farmers and a tourist attraction dedicated to environmental issues.

FORBES: Feature

The event is being run by the Farming and Rural Issues Group for the South East which represents farmers, growers and other land-based organisations.

BBC: 'Water summit' in drought-hit South East

After the latest case, in a suckler herd, Scottish farmers have been urged to be "more alert than ever" to issues among their cattle or sheep.

BBC: A cow (generic)

Politicians, farmers and water industry leaders will attend a "water summit" to look at supply issues after drought hit south-east England earlier this year.

BBC: 'Water summit' in drought-hit South East

This is what raises the health issues that exercise Ma, but Huang says since the crop itself exterminates insects, farmers need to use less pesticide.

FORBES: Rice War