Agri-TechE’s February Newsletter
Being able to measure, monitor and manage natural capital and carbon are key to the success of ELMs, and we are bringing together players from across the Agri-TechE ecosystem to gain insights into the best technologies to achieve this. This is just one of the many events and activities featured in this newsletter along with a call to action on the “Hierarchy of Needs” required to support farmers’ agri-tech adoption!
In this newsletter:
- Shine a light – technologies to enhance photosynthesis efficiency outside and undercover
- Innovating for extremes – at The Young Innovators’ Forum Conference
- Agri-tech that enables both productive farming and environmental benefits
- See technology in action with our new on-farm net-walking
- Meet fruit and vegetable farmers from Horticulture Nova Scotia
- We’re hiring – are you our Inter-Disciplinary Manager for agri-tech?
- Adding value to your business via a PhD intern
- Help shape the future of the AHDB
Don't miss out!
Let There Be Light - Powering Plant Production
22nd February – University of Essex10am – 2pm, in person
Yield, taste and time to harvest can all be impacted by light. Hear about the brightest light innovations, see demonstrations and tour the research facilities of the University of Essex. Contributors include Albotherm (heat sensitive glass), Glaia (‘sugar dot’ tech), Vitabeam (extending shelf life), Vertical Futures (reducing tip burn), lighting solutions from Kroptek and GE Current and portable plant performance analysis from Pro-Lite.
Agri-Tech Enablers – Innovating for ELMS
22nd March 2021 – Rothamsted Research
10am – 4pm, in person
“More agri-tech” was the call from farmers participating in trials ahead of the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme. Need was identified for digital mapping and remote monitoring, and for tools to create baseline assessments of carbon, soil quality and pollinators (many of which are already available on farm). At this unique in-person event, farmers and advisors involved in these early trials will be sharing their experiences – warts and all – and innovators with potential solutions will be giving quick-fire presentations. Measuring, monitoring and getting paid are all challenges to be discussed at this interactive event.
Top News and Events
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE:
“Farm Net-walk” with members in Suffolk
4th March 2021 – Upton Suffolk Farms
10am – noon, in person
Upton Suffolk Farms are kindly hosting our first “On-farm net-walking” meeting – a chance to learn about innovation application on one of the leading farms in the county. Numbers are limited so please book early.
Innovating for Extremes – calling all young innovators!
10th March – Morley Farms, Norfolk
10am – 4pm, in person
The Young Innovators’ Forum is inviting early career farmers, scientists and industry professionals to learn about innovating for extremes of weather, temperature and climate at its conference. Plus a chance to get out and about on Morley’s research farm.
Express Event: All you need to know about grass
Join us on 28th March at 10am to learn from our members Barenbrug about the benefits of grass as a crop – and how to get involved in seed production!
Online event: Meet Nova Scotia Farmers
On 21st April at 14.00 (BST) progressive fruit and vegetable growers from Horticulture Nova Scotia are keen to discuss innovation with the Agri-TechE community. Tech for predicting yield in orchards and increasing pollination services are just a taster.
We’re Hiring!
We’re excited to be offering a new role in the Agri-TechE team – our new Inter-Disciplinary Manager for agri-tech will help expand our team and our thinking! Check out the job description and if you think this could be you – or someone you know – please get in touch. Closing date is 15th February 2022.
Meet Our Members!
New and Renewing Members
New Members: Farmer Charlie | Altered Carbon | BOFIN | Upton Suffolk Farms
Renewing Members: AgRecruit | Agro Mavens | Austrade | Cranfield University | Cell Capital Partners | Eider Vertical Farming | EW Kisby & Sons | IP Pragmatics | Manor Drive | MMP Tax | NIAB | Norfolk County Farms | Norwich Research Park | R&D Glass | Savills | Smartbell | Timac Agro | TWENTYFIFTEEN | University of Reading | Verdesian Life Sciences
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.
Extractacore create accurate high speed robotic processing systems for lettuce & cabbage core removal.
Savills offers a broad range of specialist advisory, management and transactional services to clients all over the world.
Spectrum provides end-to-end processing and solutions for hemp, medical cannabis & botanicals businesses.
Upton Suffolk Farms is a progressive and diverse estate growing high quality crops for well-respected customers. Embracing technology to increase quality, yields, improve the soil and the environment.
Catapult is a not-for-profit research organisation working to promote, develop and facilitate the commercialisation and advancement of the satellite applications industry.
The Essex Plant Innovation Centre of the University of Essex combines the wide-reaching expertise of academics in the Schools of Life Sciences and Computer Science and Electronic Engineering.
Other News and Events
Shape the Future of the AHDB
Calling all levy-payers to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. It’s your chance to influence how your levy is spent on the things that matter to you most.
In April 2022, the AHDB will be asking what work you want them to deliver over the next five years. Find out more here and register by 31st March to make your views known.
Hosts Sought for 3-Month PhD Placements
Could your organisation benefit from a PhD student intern coming and helping bring some fresh thinking and expertise? If so, there are a number of opportunities to host (potentially at no cost to you) some of the UK’s leading doctoral students for 3 months through national schemes to help increase collaborations between academia and industry. If you think you have a short-term project which might be suitable, please do get in touch and we will help find you the right student.
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.
