Agri-Tech Week 2021
8th – 12th November
Agri-Tech Week is an opportunity to gain an insight into agri-tech developments across the ecosystem. It includes a range of events hosted by partners including ADAS, New Anglia LEP, University of Reading, Norwich Research Park, Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association and NIAB. All of this in addition to REAP, the flagship conference of Agri-TechE.
REAP Conference: Changing Time(s) for Agriculture
Timing is crucial in agriculture. REAP 2021 on the 10th November will explore where agri-tech innovations – new approaches to cultivation, advances in technology and breakthroughs in science – are creating the opportunity to manipulate time, improving productivity and providing environmental benefits.
The day concludes with an interactive Sofa Session, featuring speakers with expertise including regenerative farming, precision agriculture, animal health, genomics and investment, drawn from Airbus, Dyson Farming, Kew Gardens, and more. Together they will review the challenges facing food production, the potential of the technology solutions discussed during the day and widen the discussion to the floor.
Highlights also include:
- Carbon Conversation, a round-table discussion for farmers on the hype and hope of carbon management
- Inspirational keynote addresses from Jan-Erik Petersen of the European Environment Agency, and Professor Alex Webb of University of Cambridge
- Exciting Start-Up Showcase, which has proved a launchpad for leading agri-tech innovation
- Bite-sized research updates on Emerging Agri-Tech from the UK’s leading scientific institutions
- International Café with representation from Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Asia – discussing the opportunities and challenges of their regions
Register now at reapconference.co.uk.
Exciting events in Agri-Tech Week
Precision nutrition
Monday 8th November 2021 09:30 – 11:00 Online – free
Increasing fertiliser prices and the ambition to achieve net zero have focussed attention on the importance of good nutrient management.
This virtual event, hosted by ADAS, will showcase technologies and management strategies to maximise crop nutrient use efficiency.
Agri-Food in the East of England
Monday 8th November 14:00 – 15:00 Online – free
Opportunities for greater collaboration across the region will be profiled in this Agri-Tech Week event. Hosted by three local enterprise partnerships – New Anglia LEP, Lincolnshire LEP and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority – it aims to share a new regional perspective on the strengths and assets of the agri-food sector in the East of England.
Overcoming barriers to implementation of robotics
Tuesday 9th November 10:00 – 11:00 Online – free
Robot Highways will deliver what is widely considered to be the world’s first robotic farm. A fleet of robots will perform a multitude of on-farm functions as one operation, powered by renewable energy. The project aims to ensure industry sustainability by addressing labour shortages, the need for global food production and reduce the environmental impact of the farming sector.
The consortium draws together Saga Robotics, the University of Lincoln, the University of Reading, Manufacturing Technology Centre Limited, Berry Gardens Growers, BT, and Clock House Farm.
In this free virtual Agri-Tech Week event there will be an opportunity to gain an update on this exciting project.
Science in Sustainable Agriculture
Thursday 11 November 09:30 – 12:30 Online – free
As extreme events intensify, the need for sustainable agriculture increases.
The Norwich Research Park has a strong track record of work in this area over many years – researchers at the University of East Anglia were among the first to warn of the consequences of global warming several decades ago.
Discussion will include soil biodiversity, the breeding of climate-resilient plants, global plant pathogen surveillance and more.
This virtual event offers a great opportunity to learn about innovations from Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, University of East Anglia and The Sainsbury Laboratory.
Catalyst Farming – Exploring the Collaboration Triangle: people, technology and data
Thursday 11th November 14:00 – 15:30 – in person at Salle, Norfolk – Free (refreshments from 13:30)
This event will provide a deep dive with Poul Hovesen and Dominic Swan of Catalyst Farming to explore the collaboration of people, technology and data and its impact on enhancing the productive, financial and ecological results of our farming
Catalyst Farming was founded by four Norfolk farming businesses: Holkham Farming Company, NE Salmon Ltd, Raynham Farms and Salle Farms Company, covering over 7,000 hectares with 700 fields across different parts of Norfolk.
It aims to harness the power of data to inform decision-making and to scrutinise, discuss, adjust and monitor current and alternative techniques and varieties.
Carbon avoidance or carbon capture? Which is the best strategy for Net Zero?
Friday 12th November 10:00 – 13:30 – in-person at Park Farm, Cambridge, and online – Free
This event presents two alternative approaches for achieving Net Zero:
- Carbon avoidance strategies focus on adding value by reusing materials that would otherwise have been sent to landfill or degraded to produce low value material
- Carbon capture has the aim of storing or sequestering carbon, locking it up in biomass or the soil
In addition to experts from NIAB there will be contributions from the NFU and organisations including CamBond, InsPro and British Hemp Alliance.
The event will finish with a discussion about whether the two strategies will result in either true Net Zero or a compromise.
Other events coming up
8th Dec (online) – Agri-Tech Express with Barenbrug UK – a deep dive into grassland breeding and an understanding of how to make more of this hugely under-rated crop.
12th Jan (online) – Agri-Tech Express with Silal – a major government-backed company in the United Arab Emirates looking to procure new technologies for their food production systems. Hear their “wish-list” and discover the route to this expanding market.
19th Jan (online) – “A Focus on Nutrition” – Supplementing and Fortifying Crops, Livestock and Soils. A chance to learn about conditioners, amendments and supplements to boost the nutritional status of your key farm-based assets.
22nd Feb (in person) – “Let There Be Light” – we explore the technologies and practices helping growers make the most of the light in their lives to boost crop yields and quality.
