Agri-TechE’s April Newsletter
We’re now officially in British Summer Time, with lighter evenings and lengthening days; livestock are finally out grazing the emerging Spring shoots, and the crops are starting to show signs of life.
Despite the global challenges facing the industry, investment is still flowing into the system – as discussed in our Monthly Musings – and we have a line-up of in-person and online events to keep you inspired and informed.
In this month’s edition:
- It’s been a record-breaking year for investment into agri-tech
- On-Farm Research 101 – helping farmers get the most from test and trial
- Missouri came to Cambridge
- Online events covering insect tech, tech export opportunities to Canada and DNA sequencing of biodiversity
Don't miss out!
Agri-Tech Advances – Good News for the Industry
Our Monthly Musings this month reflect on the AgFunder review of global investment into agri-tech – with a whopping 85 % year-on-year growth in investment.
On-Farm Research 101 (pilot) – What’s real and how good is good enough?
28th April 2022 – NIAB Park Farm
all day, in person
This is an opportunity for farmers to find out more about on-farm R&D – the what, the why and the how. Government policy is encouraging farmers to trial new approaches and technologies. Our new On-Farm Research 101 event pilot gives you a whistle-stop overview of what’s involved in trials and testing and how to collaborate with researchers effectively. Hear from farmers who’ve done it, researchers who are doing it and learn how to inspire your staff to embrace R&D.
Top News and Events
Missouri governor and Head of Agriculture visits Agri-TechE ecosystem
Our international partners are keen to develop the relationships they have built with the Agri-TechE network. We were delighted to welcome to Cambridge Governor Mike L Parson, a third-generation cattle farmer, along with First Lady Teresa and Chris Chinn, also a farmer and Director of the Missouri Dept of Agriculture. Agri-TechE members met with the delegation to further build trans-Atlantic collaborations.
This is one of many relationships with clusters around the globe – find out more about our international work.
An Agri-Tech Showcase to Canadian Growers
21st April 2022
2pm – 4pm (BST), online
Canadian growers from Horticulture Nova Scotia are actively looking to the UK for innovative solutions to support their farming activities. This online event is an opportunity to understand their drivers, challenges and needs and establish relationships for potential business opportunities. We’ll also hear from a few Agri-TechE members with their technologies to apply to this region. If you have farm-ready tech and would like to meet some growers this event is for you.
Feel the Buzz – insect-tech explored
26th April 2021
2pm – 4pm, online
Insects are the unsung heroes of an arable farm workforce; as well as pollination services, they can be harnessed to deliver other benefits to a growing crop. This event offers a first chance to hear from Bee Vectoring Technology, a Canadian company that is using bees to increase plant resilience to fungal attack. Also hear about the ‘internet of hives’ and the use of AI to deploying flies as pollinators.
Walk and talk – A Farm Net-Walk
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
4th May 2022 – Rookery Farm, Wortham, Norfolk
10am – noon, in person
Meet Richard Ling at Rookery Farm, Norfolk, an AHDB Monitor Farm with mixed production. Richard believes a new era of tech-enabled farming is underway – come and see the innovations being deployed and learn about the impact they are making.
To register for this free walk, book here (Sorry, Agri-TechE members only)
Barcoding the Broads
24th May 2022
10:30am, online
DNA sequencing is revealing new insights about the environment around us. This includes being able to pick up a “fingerprint” in water, soil and even air to show what species have been around. We explore the new project “Barcoding the Broads” to see how the Earlham Institute is mapping biodiversity across waterways in Norfolk.
Meet Our Members!
New and Renewing Members
New Member Pages: Alva Tech | Croptimise | Deep Planet | Muddy Machines
Renewing Members: AF Group | Agricultural Engineers Association | Anglia Capital Group | Bardsley England (Bx) | Cambridge Consultants | CDT Ltd | Collison and Associates | Crop Health and Protection | Crop4Sight | Elveden Farms | FOTENIX | Horticulture Nova Scotia | Hutchinsons | John Innes Centre | NFU Mutual | Olombria | Open Data Institute | PGRO | RSM | University of East Anglia | Zayndu
Meet our members
Each month we will be showcasing 6 of our members. Click on their logo to find out more about them through their member pages.
The Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology aims to support and enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability in food and farming through research, education and technology.
Rothamsted Enterprises is a unique hub focused on promoting collaboration and innovation by partnering with commercial agri-tech businesses and opening up the research process.
Biocleave use their expertise in growing and modifying clostridia, combined with an extensive proprietary technology portfolio, to push new boundaries in protein expression.
With more than 150 years’ experience Bayer works to ensure new technologies balance the demands of productivity with environmental sustainability.
Metos is a global organisation that for over 35 years has been developing intelligent tools for informed decision making.
Drip UK was founded by Andrew Howseman, who has over 35 years’ experience managing and growing Irrigated crops across several countries.
Other News and Events
Young Innovators’ Forum: John Innes Centre field research – 26th April 2022
Join us on this visit to the John Innes Centre’s Dorothea de Winton Field Station. Explore field trials, labs & cutting-edge facilities used for research contributing to making major crops more nutritious, disease resistant and climate resilient. We will be hearing from a range of scientists who are running trials on the site about their work as well a guided tour of the facilities. Book online for this free event.
Innovation Loans now available
SMEs can apply for a share of £25m from the Innovate UK Innovation Loans Future Economy Competition. The loans are designed to support R&D with potential for the future of a new product, process, or service which is significantly ahead of others currently available. Registration closes on 13th April.
Opportunity to visit Australia
Are you interested in exploring the Australian market? The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and TEKFARM Global program, are offering the chance for international tech ventures to connect, collaborate and scale new tech in the Australian grain industry. Find out more about the 4 key industry priorities and submit your EOI.
Storage of valuable data now eligible for R&D tax credits
Announced in the Spring Statement, the government have plans to reform R&D tax credits on storage of vital data and pure maths research. From April 2023, text relief can be claimed by businesses which the government continuing to help drive innovation. Further legislation is expected to be released this summer.
Don’t miss out – sign up to our agri-tech newsletter
To keep informed about the latest developments in agri-tech sign up to our newsletter. Please share this with colleagues with an interest in agri-innovation.
Many of our events attract BASIS points. If you are BASIS registered, you can also collect 2 points (up to a maximum of 8/yr) for receiving our newsletter and all staff in our member organisations can claim 2 points/yr for membership.
Claim BASIS points for reading: ref PD/116964/2122/I on the BASIS website.
