Jonathan Gill: Hands Free Farm

Robots can work around the clock, the Hands-Free Farm aims to demonstrate the benefits of smaller, more precise machines and to understand how existing farm equipment could be adapted for robotics – and so pave the way for wider adoption of the technology.
Jonathan Gill is looking at the benefits for soil health of using smaller, lighter machinery.
He says: “The challenge with conventional farm machinery is its size. Rather than try to automate the larger 180 Hp UK average Tractor, the project is aiming to show that fleets of smaller & lighter 45- 50 HP equipment can be just as effective when operated economically by turning them in to robots. so they can do less damage to the soil structure and have ability to be used over a greater range of conditions without adverse impact, and of course run 24/7.”
“These days we’re seeing many farmers in Europe working part time, and the same is true of the next generation of farmers in the UK – machinery allows farmers to potentially maintain a secondary income.”
The Hands-Free Farm has just completed its second year and will be planting its third crop for a 2022 harvest.

STOP PRESS – Announcement from Jonathan Gill at REAP 2021

“Very Excited to annonce that Omex is a new partner for the Hands Free Farm with Pix4dFields and Amazone to showcase the precision application of our liquid fertiliser.”

REAP 2021: Changing Time(s) for Agriculture – 10th November 2021

Imagine a world where agriculture is not constrained by time. The ability to manage and manipulate time is increasing and REAP 2021 will explore the advances in technology and breakthroughs in science that is making this possible.
REAP brings together people from across the agri-tech ecosystem who believe that innovation is the engine for change. The conference bridges the gap between producer needs and technology solutions and showcases exciting agri-tech start-ups.