Emerging Agri-TechE 2022 – research into practice

Agri-TechE research is incredibly varied – as this selection of objects illustrates.  Hear about the latest scientific developments in the Emerging Technology session of the REAP conference. 

Diego Durantini, Agri-TechE Interdisciplinary Manager, explains the format of this session, which sees scientists at some of the UK’s leading agricultural research organisations chat about how their research will impact the industry, facilitated by an everyday object – can you guess the links?

Chris Hamilton

Associate Professor in Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of East Anglia

Chris’ research interests are more ‘Farmaceutical’ than Pharmaceutical.

But what has garlic got to do with it?

Agnieszka Witek

The Sainsbury Laboratory, Norwich

Agnieszka’s background is in plant biochemistry and plant-microbe interactions.

Her mystery object is spectacles – worth another look?

David Clarke

Soils and Farming Systems Research Technician, Niab

David is assessing spatio-temporal yield stability within and across the rotation and the interaction with weather patterns.

Does his research cover all bases?

Josh Colmer 

PhD student, Earlham Institute

Josh is the lead developer behind TraitSeq, an AI-based technology platform for accelerated trait development in agriculture.

Is this the best thing since sliced bread?

Pallavi Singh 

Lecturer (Assistant Professor), University of Essex

Pallavi is interested in using natural variation to improve our understanding of complex traits such as water use.

Is she on the right frequency?

Charles Whitfield 

Crop Protection Specialist, Niab

Charles was a co-developer of a handheld imaging fluorometer for detecting spray deposits, used to optimise sprayable crop protection products.

Is there more to this than meets the eye?

Kit Franklin

Senior Engagement Fellow in Engineering, Harper Adams University; Principal Investigator, Hands Free Farm

Kit’s research into ‘future farming systems’ led to the ground-breaking and headline-grabbing world first ‘Hands-Free Hectare’ project.

Will his research enable true remote management of farming?

Ruchi Choudhary

Professor of Architectural Engineering, University of Cambridge

Stackable systems allow maximum efficiency of the way space is used – inspiring thinking at the University of Cambridge about urban agriculture and vertical farming.

What “can” the way liquids are stored at volume teach us about producing food in the most space-efficient way?

Rachel Wells

Senior Scientist, Department of Crop Genetics, John Innes Centre

Rachel’s current research involves the identification of genetic resistance to Brassica pests, with a strong focus on cabbage stem flea beetle (CSFB).

Like it or hate it, can this research help deter pests? 

REAP 2022: ‘Making Sense of Agriculture’ – Tuesday 8th November 2022 

From yield mapping and precision livestock through to digital twins and cloud computing, at REAP 2022 we will be exploring the technology and looking at the implications from a field to landscape level. Making technology farm-centric is core to Agri-TechE ’s mission so a key feature of the conference will be a panel of farmers and producers discussing the emerging technologies and future scenarios.

reapconference.co.uk