ATW 2026: Agri-Tech Adoption – From Research to the Farm

Agri-Tech Adoption: From Research to the Farm

University of Lincoln | 20 October 2026 | Agri-Tech Week 2026

The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln, together with Barclays Eagle Labs, welcomed farmers, researchers and businesses to Riseholme Campus for an Agri-Tech Adoption Breakfast Briefing.

The morning explored the opportunities and challenges of adopting new technology in agriculture, bringing together perspectives from farming, research and industry.

West Norfolk farmer Ben Hipperson kicked things off, sharing his experiences of using technology on farm. With so many new solutions available, he highlighted some practical questions: What does it cost? Will it deliver a return? And will it genuinely make life easier?

Professor Grzegorz Cielniak from LIAT explored developments in agricultural robotics, the challenges and opportunities of bringing new technologies into farming systems and how universities can support innovation.

Emma Garfield, Senior Commercialisation Manager at Ceres Agri-Tech, shared examples of how research is being turned into practical solutions, from crop improvement and fertilisers to mushrooms and biomaterials. She also showed videos of two University innovations, JABAS AI and AirFeed, both supported through the LINCAM funding programme, delivered in partnership with Ceres Agri-Tech.

The morning continued with a visit to Barclays Eagle Labs, where we heard from four innovative businesses: farmB, SmartFert , JABAS.ai, and Agaricus Robotics, showcasing developments in farm data, precision fertilisers, AI-powered navigation technology to help agricultural robots operate safely on farms and robotic mushroom harvesting.

There were plenty of interesting conversations about what farmers really need, the barriers to adoption and how research and industry can work together to bring useful technologies onto farms.

The event formed part of Agri-Tech Week 2026, curated by Agri-TechE, bringing people together to share ideas, experiences and opportunities.

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