Green energy is moving beyond incentives as on-farm production increases
The role of renewable energy within the farming mix is to be discussed at an Agri-Tech East meeting, ‘We’ve Got the Power; On-Farm Solutions to Energy Demands’ on 23 May, which is comparing experiences and considering new developments.
Agri-Tech East welcomes Fiona Rust to the team
Agri-Tech East has welcomed Fiona Rust to its team to help the organisation develop its events portfolio and work with its rapidly expanding membership.
'Harvest' offers international springboard for UK agri-tech
A new trans-Atlantic agreement, opening up international opportunities for agri-businesses and start-ups, has been launched by UK membership body Agri-Tech East and Canada’s Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority.
Robot swarms to offer truly precise agriculture at a plant level
Experts to debate applications, progress and ethics of swarm robotics at Agri-Tech East event on 25 April 2019 in Cambridge.
Vertical farming: pick-your-own fruit and veg at retail parks?
Advances in technology, from more energy efficient LEDs to better sensors and advances in soilless cultivation, are enabling the expansion of novel farming methods, but how might controlled environment agriculture disrupt the value-chain? Agri-Tech East's 'Bringing the outside in' investigates.
Revolution in diagnostics promises early disease warning for farmers
With advances in biotechnology, imaging and organic chemistry changing the way farmers are able to tend their crops and livestock, the UK’s latest diagnostic tests are to be discussed - many for the first time - at Agri-Tech East's Pollinator event in Cambridge on 13 February.
Event focuses on using natural products in conventional farming
Would working with nature relieve some of the evolutionary pressure on arable weeds and plant pests and stop them from becoming so aggressive? This is one of the areas of discussion for the Agri-Tech East Pollinator event 'Mimic, Harness or Borrow; Applying Nature’s Solutions to Agriculture' being held in Norwich next week (15th January 2019).
World’s first robotic drill unveiled at REAP 2018
Just one year on since the tech start-up first announced its ‘Farming as a Service’ model at REAP Conference 2017, the Small Robot Company unveiled Harry, one of three precision engineered, smart robots that could revolutionise food production and the toll big machinery takes on soil and the wider environment.
Triple helix approach to agri-tech innovation underpins UK farming future
By delivering a ‘triple-helix’ model for innovation – which brings together industry, research and government – Agri-Tech East is helping to facilitate the rapid growth of the agri-tech sector. Priorities for future investment in agri-tech was the theme for its fifth annual REAP conference, held yesterday (Weds) in Cambridge.
Driverless car tech could bust weeds - what can your tech offer?
Earlier this year, Agri-Tech East held one of the UK's first hackathons for farming to fast-track innovation - and the learning points, future opportunities and next steps are to be discussed at REAP 2018 in Cambridge.
Laying the foundations for the internet of agri-things
East Anglia is one of five broadband black spots across the UK, which is exactly why the UAE's Professor Gerard Parr is driving a unique initiative to create the East of England Smart Emerging Technologies Institute. He'll be sharing project updates and insights at Agri-Tech East's REAP conference next month.
New chemistries deliver industry's first major innovation in decades
Industry leaders will next week discuss novel fertilisation solutions at 'The Ag-Chem Pipeline' event, Rothamsted Centre - where, 160 years ago, the world's first commercial mineral fertiliser was developed.
New agri measures to invest in R&D and tech
Following widespread consultation, including with Agri-Tech East members, UK Government commits that the new Agriculture Bill will be underpinned by measures to increase productivity and invest in new technologies.
Agriculture is gearing up for the ‘fourth industrial revolution’
The Bank of England’s chief economist recently predicted that up to 50% of all jobs could be lost to robots and artificial intelligence (AI) in the next four decades. However, current technology needs considerable investment before it can address the labour shortage in agriculture. This and other priorities for agri-tech are to be debated by leading agrifood producers, technologists and academics…
Smart irrigation becoming more attractive option for spuds
A sustained dry period, changes in water licences and shortage of labour are making smart irrigation systems more attractive to potato farmers, according to Andrew Howseman of Howseman Agriculture. Agri-Tech East is looking at smart irrigation in its next Pollinator event on 13th September 2018.
Innovation Insights showcases growth of agri-tech cluster
Just four years after it launched at the agricultural show, Agri-Tech East is hosting a new ‘Innovation Insights’ event at Cereals 2018. Around 30 of its member organisations from across the value-chain will be giving two-minute elevator pitches, providing a snapshot of how the diverse cluster has developed.
REAP Conference 2018 launched – best practice informed by science
Increased productivity with reduced environmental impacts may sound like the holy grail of farming, but the keynote speaker at Agri-Tech East's REAP conference, Dr Zhenling Cui of the China Agricultural University, Beijing, will present the findings of a ten year national campaign that has achieved just this.
Royal Norfolk Show launches its first Innovation Trail
A simulator for tractor training, the world’s biggest beet eater and a virtual sheep wrangler will be among the highlights of a unique Innovation Trail that showcases technology being demonstrated at the Royal Norfolk Show (27-28 June).
Earthworms are soil engineers but soil health depends on many factors
Can earthworms be used as indicators of soil health? This will be one of the themes to be discussed by a panel of experts at the forthcoming Agri-Tech East event “Waiting for Worms” on 16th May at Morley Farms, Wymondham.
Can you hack it? Best brains given 48 hours to feed the world
Allia Serious Impact is to host the >sudo : grow hackathon in partnership with Agri-Tech East on 7-8 April 2018.
New Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator brings technology into the field
Laura Bouvet has been appointed new Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator for Agri-Tech East and the Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the first time the two organisations have collaborated in this way.
Can blockchain support frictionless trade in agri-food?
Experts from Applied Blockchain, PWC and Map of Agriculture will discuss ‘Trust, Provenance and Blockchain’ at an Agri-Tech East event next month.
Government funding creates opportunity for innovation in food and feed processing
John Deere's Manager of Technology Innovation Strategy will explain how to work with funders at a forthcoming Agri-Tech East event.
How machine learning is helping farmers manage the unpredictable
Could machine learning reduce the impact of a disastrous harvest? Speakers at a forthcoming Agri-Tech East meeting provide their perspectives.
Counting the cost, value and benefits of natural capital in agriculture
An Agri-Tech East event later this month will explore how farmers can calculate ROI for good land management.