Farm Tech

British farmers are critical to the UK food supply chain and protecting the nation’s valuable and vulnerable environments. Technology can play a key part in that, making it the focus of the South West’s freshest agri-tech event.

The critical importance of agri-tech to agriculture and food is a key topic which will be discussed at the upcoming South West AgriTech Showcase next month.

Agri-tech is a cornerstone of efficient, sustainable food production – and a new conference in South West England promises to lead the way by showcasing the latest opportunities and development.

The impact of technology in increasing profitability and saving time in the agricultural sector has grown significantly in recent years and the rise of the farm management app Herdwatch epitomises this. The farm management app is now used on over 18,000 farms across the UK and Ireland, and allows farmers to manage their farm with an easy-to-use app catering for both cattle and sheep farmers.

A recent study published by an independent think tank says farmers are open to adopting new technologies but are reluctant to invest due to a lack of confidence in policy frameworks, funding opportunities, and the future of farming in general.

The agricultural sector has seen rapid innovation in recent years due to the need to produce more food on less land, with technologies such as smart crops, agricultural drones, and smart greenhouses on the rise, according to GlobalData’s latest report.

Combining satellite technology with precision machinery has enabled cereal grower Pat Thornton to reap the rewards of better crop uniformity and yield, by optimising inputs usage and tracking disease, on his farm in Doncaster.

NFU Mutual offers top tips for farmers contemplating agri-tech investment, as a new survey sheds light on key barriers that are preventing farmers benefitting from government funding.

Simon Brown of Amazone Ltd outlines two free apps that can help farmers to optimise their fertiliser spreading.

Taking control of your natural capital has just become a lot easier with the release of Sandy version 2.0, according to Trinity AgTech.

A grant is available for award-winning ozone disinfection technology that promises to offer a safer, more effective and more environmentally friendly solution – with benefits for milk quality, mastitis rates and money-saving.

What does the future hold for UK farmers? The sector faces consistently evolving challenges from all directions – we need to feed the rising world population in a more efficient way, while simultaneously addressing issues of climate change, sustainability, and animal welfare.