Get the latest agri-tech news, events and opportunities direct to your inbox
Are we the change we wish to see in the world?
Agri-TechE Blog
Agri-TechE
As another year draws to a close – without stating the obvious – we are another year closer to 2050, the target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
The global challenges facing agriculture frame every start-up pitch and underpin the narrative of so many in our industry, but there is little mention of the progress that all this innovation is making towards achieving the Big Goals.
So, we’d like to end the year on a positive note; progress IS being made – the research, the tech development, the changes in behaviour and practice are making a difference globally.
“A mirror and a compass”
A “global stock-take” in the Yearbook of Global Climate Action was published last month (Nov 2025) – a decade on from the landmark Paris Agreement (in which a coalition of countries agreed to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C).
Given that, in 2024, global average temperatures passed the 1.5°C threshold for the first time in a calendar year, with a high likelihood that the years ahead will be hotter still, the pressure is on for innovation, policy and practice to work together.
The reporting framework in the Yearbook enables progress on climate action to be tracked across many industries – including agriculture. Describing itself as a way for the global community to take a hard look at itself, as well as providing a direction of travel, the report reveals some insights into our journey to climate mitigation in agriculture.
As it turns out, there is some cause for optimism – at least at a global level. But certainly no room for complacency.
Yields up… and emissions down
On average, over the past decade, global crop yields have increased from 6.5 Tonnes/Ha to 6.8 T/Ha.
Meanwhile, global emissions from agricultural production, enteric rumination from livestock and emissions from fertiliser and manures have all dropped. The productivity of ruminant meat has also increased, meaning more meat with lower emissions, while overall consumption has also fallen.
So, heading in broadly the right direction.
Yet when we reflect on the record-breaking yield of nearly 18 T/Ha from Tim Lammyman in Lincolnshire in 2022, it’s clear there is still room for improvement. Not everyone is going to reach those dizzying yields, but the focus on productivity needs to double down.
And among those positive indicators, is some troubling lack of progress around food waste and malnourishment.
All to reflect on as we tuck into our festive fayre this holiday.
And in other news
While the report makes generally for sobering reading in places, it’s important to focus on the positives and acknowledge that change is happening – maybe not at the pace or scale needed, but it’s heading in the right direction.
The report also notes that:
“Farmers are adapting and responding to climate impacts and other shocks and stresses and implementing context-specific approaches, demonstrating results through farm- and landscape-level efforts.”
So, if you need a reason to raise a toast to a farmer this festive season, let’s focus on the positive, recognise we are all part of a global effort to try and improve, and vow to do even better in 2026 and beyond.
As Mahatma Gandhi famously said: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Post Overview
18th December 2025
Agri-TechE
Agri-TechE Article
Agri-Tech Adoption & Social Science
International Insights
Share this Page:
Related Posts
From farm to fork: An ambitious food strategy published by government
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
The Ceres AgriStrategy Conference, held on 4th December 2025, brought together farmers, agronomists and industry leaders for a full day of insight, challenge and practical discussion. Chaired by Tim Issac, CEO of Ceres Research, the conference focused on helping farming businesses navigate change, build resilience and seize emerging opportunities.
With the lessons of the 2025 harvest still fresh, the event explored crop strategy, environmental performance, agri-tech innovation and business planning — all grounded in the realities of running farming enterprises today.
Morning Sessions: Setting the Strategic Direction
The conference opened with a powerful address from Sir Peter Kendall, Rothamsted Research, who set the scene by examining the challenges and opportunities facing UK agriculture and the critical role of science and innovation in shaping the sector’s future.
Charles Ireland, Ceres Rural, followed with a forward-looking Farming Outlook, urging delegates to approach uncertainty with confidence, optimism and proactive decision-making. His message was clear: the future of farming lies in adapting to volatility rather than resisting it.
Attention then turned to the realities of the 2025 season. Dr Alex Setchfield, Ceres Research, reflected on the successes and pressures of the recent harvest, while Jock Willmott explored practical and resilient crop rotation options for 2026 and beyond, highlighting the need for flexibility as climate and market pressures intensify.
Environmental performance and efficiency featured strongly. Chloe Timberlake, Ceres Rural, examined the evolving role of funding, Countryside Stewardship and the Sustainable Farming Incentive, while George Badger, Ceres Rural, focused on improving input efficiency to balance profitability with sustainability.
The morning concluded with future-facing innovation. Dr Aoife O’Driscoll, NIAB, shared insights into next-generation Integrated Pest Management, and Dr Dannielle Robb, Ceres Research, introduced emerging biological innovations that are reshaping farming systems. An engaging panel Q&A, chaired by Andrew Meredith, Farmers Weekly, brought these themes together, with speakers responding to a wide range of audience questions and sparking lively debate.
Afternoon Sessions: Turning Strategy into Action
Continuing the momentum from the morning, the afternoon sessions focused on business strategy and real-world application, providing clear, actionable insight for farming businesses.
Edward Hutley, Ceres Rural, opened with the latest Contract Farming Survey Results, providing a snapshot of current trends, opportunities and pressures across the sector. Richard Means, Ceres Rural, addressed Labour and Machinery Planning in Changing Times, helping businesses think strategically about efficiency, workforce challenges and capital investment.
Demonstrating how innovation is already delivering results, Mark Hall, Waldersey Farms Ltd, explored The Role of Technology in Future Profitability, showcasing how data, AI and precision tools are driving efficiency and margins on farm.
John McLarty, Ceres Property, discussed Diversification and Development Opportunities, outlining routes for unlocking value and building resilience beyond traditional farming income. With finance firmly in focus, Martin Hanson, HSBC, provided expert guidance on Funding in a Challenging Environment, offering practical strategies for managing cash flow and investment risk.
The session concluded with a Farming Profitability Review from Richard Sanders, CAAV, giving context to current performance and future resilience. A thought-provoking panel Q&A, chaired by Julie Robinson, Roythornes Solicitors, allowed delegates to challenge speakers and explore key issues in more depth.
Closing Reflections and Looking Ahead
The conference closed with final reflections from Professor Quintin McKellar CBE and Tim Isaac, reinforcing the importance of adaptability, confidence and long-term thinking. Delegates then continued discussions at a networking drinks reception and dinner, bringing a collaborative close to the day.
A Call for Confidence and Maximising Efficiency
Managing Partner Charlie Ireland urged farmers to face change with confidence and realism. “Change is hard. There’s no denying there are challenges ahead for some sectors, particularly now that the BPS cushion has gone. But the future is in your hands.” Rather than trying to preserve outdated systems, he encouraged delegates to focus on what they can control — productivity, efficiency, cost management and strategic direction — noting that “the risk of standing still is now greater than the risk of making changes.”
A key theme was producing more from less through smarter use of data, technology and innovation. “We’re on the cusp of an agri-tech revolution. The potential efficiency and financial gains are significant,” Charlie said, highlighting how technology can sharpen insight and support change. While acknowledging the immediate pressures on arable farms, he offered cautious optimism: “For most arable farmers, the coming year will be tough. But we’re seeing some of the best crops for half a decade. Making the most of those crops will be key to protecting margins.” Reflecting on decades of adaptation, he concluded, “As confidence returns, investment will follow. Be ready to benefit from it.”
Engagement, Insight and Shared Learning
One of the standout features of the conference was the exceptional audience engagement throughout the day. Slido was used extensively, with a high volume of thoughtful questions and strong participation in live voting. This interaction helped shape panel discussions and highlighted the key concerns and priorities facing farming businesses today.
Questions clustered around four main themes:
1) Technology, Data & Productivity
Why productivity remains flat despite optimism around technology
Barriers to adoption, including cost, knowledge gaps and funding
The role of AI and predictive agronomy alongside human expertise
How to prioritise which innovations to adopt first
2) Environmental Performance, Soil Health & Land Value
Monetising biodiversity and soil health improvements
Challenges around Biodiversity Net Gain and natural capital markets
Incentivising environmental performance within contract farming agreements
Long-term implications for land values and stewardship
3) Crop Strategy & Resilience
Alternative crops such as sorghum, millet and miscanthus
The role of cover crops and biochar
Break crops and their impact on subsequent yields
Building resilience to drought through crop choice and market development
4) Policy, Finance & Risk
Succession planning and inheritance tax
Funding opportunities for innovation and technology
The future role of contract farming agreements
Diversification versus planning restrictions
Ethical and reputational considerations in agri-finance
Further Reflections: Addressing Unanswered Questions
While Slido and panel sessions were highly interactive, time constraints meant some questions went unanswered on the day. These were grouped into the same four themes, with Ceres Group reflections shared following the event.
Technology, Data & Productivity
AI is increasingly acting as a co-pilot in agronomy, rapidly analysing datasets to identify savings and yield improvements. However, human expertise remains essential. Farmers and agronomists are still the pilots, ensuring insights are relevant to individual soils, climates and business goals.
When prioritising innovation, the focus should be on solutions with clear, proven benefits and easy integration. Not all improvements require major capital investment; AI-driven analytics can unlock efficiencies even on smaller farms. Over time, costs will fall and grant support may widen access.
Environmental Performance, Soil Health & Land Value
Environmental performance is not cost-free. Success within CFAs depends on collaboration, shared objectives and recognition of investment in specialist equipment. Biodiversity and natural capital markets are still developing, but baseline data capture is critical to future monetisation.
Crop Strategy & Resilience
Alternative crops such as sorghum, millet and miscanthus offer promise, particularly under climate pressure, but require reliable markets and careful financial analysis. Whole-rotation performance matters more than individual crop yields.
Policy, Finance, Diversification & Risk
Policy uncertainty continues to complicate planning, particularly for labour and machinery. Despite pressure, CFAs still offer flexibility and tax advantages. For diversification, early engagement with planners and farming groups is essential, with further planning reform anticipated.
A Clear Message
The Ceres AgriStrategy Conference 2025 delivered a consistent message: while uncertainty remains, opportunity is real. Through innovation, collaboration and proactive decision-making, farming businesses can adapt, invest and position themselves for a more resilient future. Change is inevitable — but with the right strategy, it can be a catalyst for progress.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
What is the Patent Box?
The Patent Box scheme allows companies to pay just 10% corporation tax on profits attributable to patented products and technology.
It is a generous scheme which includes revenue from worldwide sales of patented products (or products with an integral patented component), revenue generated from the licensing or sale of patents and damages awarded in patent infringement cases.
Its aim is to encourage UK businesses to invest in research and development, create high value jobs and support economic growth.
How can you qualify?
The Patent Box is available to UK companies that own or exclusively licence a qualifying Intellectual Property (IP) right. This includes UK, European and other national patents – but notably excludes US patents.
Patent Box Applications can be made prior to the successful granting of a patent and back-dated (if beneficial) for a period.
Particularly if you already benefit from R&D tax credits, there is a strong case for using the Patent Box scheme to further reduce corporation tax.
How do you obtain a patent?
To obtain a patent, an invention needs to be both new and inventive. However, patents can be granted for seemingly minor improvements to existing technology. One of our qualified Patent Attorneys can advise on this point – it’s always worth asking if new products, processes or specific features are potentially patentable.
Unlike more traditional patent drafting and prosecution strategy which tends to priortise the breadth of the rights claimed, a patent application drafted and prosecuted purely for Patent Box eligibility can be deliberately streamlined to reduce costs and timescales.
Whatever the scope of the eventually granted qualifying patent, it’s presence alone should enable profits made by sales of the product to be taxed at just 10% provided the various Patent Box criteria are met. Specialist tax advice should be sought alongside IP law advice to ensure the Patent Box is exploited optimally.
Example savings
Let’s say it costs £15,000 to patent an innovative product and maintain patent protection for its 20-year lifespan.
The amount of Corporation Tax paid of course depends on the size and profits of your company (ranging from e.g. 19% for small companies with profits <£50K up to 25% for large companies with profits >£250K). This means that whatever the size of company you are, you can make savings and this scheme provides some welcome relief from the sting of moving to a higher tax bracket as your company grows.
Assuming Corporation Tax remains around 20%, the product needs to make just £7,500 profit per annum (£150,000 over 20 years) for the corporate tax savings alone to exceed the patent costs. If profits are greater, the savings can be substantial.
In addition, the granted patent becomes a valuable business asset which can help secure competitive advantage and attract investment.
Get the latest agri-tech news, events and opportunities direct to your inbox
Horizon Europe Cluster 6 and Pump Priming: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Funding Finder
Horizon Europe
Topics available under Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 programme for 2026/2027. We understand from the European Commission that the funding opportunities will also be searchable in a few days’ time on the European Commission’s Funding and Tenders Portal. However, it is likely to take the European Commission a couple of days to upload all of the call topics onto this system.
The available topics in Cluster 6 are summarised below; We expect to see full information on eligibility and closing dates to be made easier to access in the coming weeks. In the meantime, a full list of calls under the work programme for Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment can be found here.
Theme and Destinations
This cluster aims at reducing environmental degradation, halting and reversing the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and sea and better managing natural resources through transformative changes of the economy and society in both urban and rural areas.
It will ensure food and nutrition security for all within planetary boundaries through knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food systems and steer and accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resource efficient circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy, including forestry.
fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
biodiversity and ecosystem services
circular economy and bioeconomy sectors
clean environment and zero pollution
land, ocean and water for climate action
resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, costal and urban communities
Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal
There are 7 specific Destinations for Horizon Europe’s Cluster 6 programme, each with their own specific calls and deadlines. The indicative amount of EU funding contributions for most projects in this cluster ranges from €3m to €12m. This can cover up to 100% of costs depending on the call.
For more infomation on each destination and the calls within them, please visit the Horizon pdf with details. There is also lots of useful information on the UKRI Brussels Office website, with links to future events about calls and Brokerage visits.
Horizon Europe Pump Priming collaboration opportunities
Innovate UK and British Academy are pleased to announce funding schemes for Horizon Europe Pump Priming Grants, open to all disciplines. The fund is not currently open, but we may see future rounds.
The Horizon Europe Pump Priming funding schemes are aimed at enabling businesses, research organisations and other organisations to build partnerships and develop ideas that will have the potential significant market impact by going forward as a proposal to Horizon Europe.
Applications will be processed upon receipt and in the order that they are received, and the award of any grant is made subject to available funding.
Innovate UK are leading a scheme focused on supporting UK SMEs to develop proposals across a wide range of sectors under Pillar 2 and Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe (see below for details). Successful applicants will have access to grant funding of up to £10,000 (excluding VAT) and are advised to work with a UK National Contact Point in support of their project. Applicants are also given access to a highly experienced Innovate UK Business Growth Innovation and Growth Specialist (IGS) if they are not already a client, to further support their innovation and growth journey.
With the aim of developing a consortium and applying to Horizon Europe, Pump Priming can help with:
Access to opportunities for collaborative research and innovation
Explore networking and partnership opportunities
Support with travel costs to meet with potential consortia and partners
Develop your Horizon Europe proposal
Fund consortium partners to travel to UK
Find out more about the opportunities, eligibility and how to apply, please visit the British Academy website.
You can see other open funding calls in our Funding Finder.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Climate change and a rapidly growing global population are driving an urgent need for water conservation.
Today, around half of the world’s population faces severe water scarcity for at least part of the year, and by 2050, over 5 billion people could struggle with inadequate water access. Agriculture sits at the heart of this challenge, consuming 70% of the world’s freshwater. As experts in deep tech innovation for sustainable solutions, we’re proud that our collaboration with the global leader in precision irrigation Netafim that makes a real impact—helping farmers worldwide grow more with less resources such as water and fertilizers.
While drip irrigation has long been recognized as an effective solution, its transformation into a high-tech solution has been hindered by cost, energy consumption, and long-term reliability concerns. Today, advancements in low-energy technology have made it possible to develop solutions that require minimal maintenance and intervention—critical needs across many industries. Additionally, ensuring reliability, durability, and cost-effectiveness has been a barrier to wider adoption, as systems must be robust and built to last. In our collaboration with Netafim we respond to these challenges and work together to think of new solutions for drip irrigation with the potential to save 20% of water with this new technology.
Smart drip irrigation control
To cope with the challenging and complication nature of plumbing on farmland, some suppliers develop over-specified systems of large pumps and pipes that need regular maintenance. Instead, Netafim’s focus is on targeted zones – irrigating small blocks in rotation as required rather than flooding wider areas all at once. The company has also put the emphasis on easy installation, without the need for intermediaries or a specially trained workforce to implement and maintain the system.
Irrigation to maximise crop yield
Our novel smart technology has a network of sensors able to react to actual soil conditions. Water is only used when it’s needed, where it’s needed – a strategy that preserves resources while maximising crop yield. This enhanced approach also has a direct benefit on fertiliser, improving its efficiency by 30% and reducing the association energy consumption by up to 35%. Given the significant carbon footprint associated with fertiliser production and use – four per cent of global CO2 emissions – this unique form of drip irrigation has huge sustainability potential. With no relevant off-the-shelf technologies available, our solution had to be built from first principles. Initially, we had to understand how to minimise the power required to communicate to the devices. Then the task was to develop electronics with incredibly low power consumption. The third step was to design an enclosure that would ensure reliable operation for such a long time. This meant maintaining robust separation of ‘wet’ areas of operation – valves – from the ‘dry’ electronics and optics.
“We are happy to collaborate with the CC team to fight water scarcity. The relationship flourished during the arc of the project, and we are delighted with the results and that trials are now well underway.” – Esteban Socolsky, VP R&D, Netafim
Multidisciplinary deep tech consultants
This unique, multifaceted challenge required the sort of multidisciplinary execution that only CC can deliver. It suited our diverse set of skills, from sensing and low power operation to optical communication, embedded software and mechanical design. With everything inhouse, project team and client had direct access to colleagues as needed. The process benefited from rapid exploration and application of relevant technologies at each turn, maintaining momentum to deliver the optimum overall technical solution. Close collaboration throughout the project engendered mutual trust, as the CC and Netafim teams complemented each other’s skills. Our client has deep engineering knowledge and experience of what it takes to make a successful product. We added expertise in electronics, firmware, optics design and the production side of building electronics. The breakthrough architecture to deliver the ultra-low power, scalable system at an achievable price point called for expert prototype production and quick iterations between any design modifications. Our inhouse electronic production department (EPD) built thousands of units for initial Netafim field trials, with each unit tested and subject to rigorous quality control before being shipped to the test location. This dedicated facilities and expertise covers all aspects of circuit board design, development and manufacture.
Scalability for ultra-low power and future proof design
Getting everything onto the micro controllers was a key challenge. Our embedded software team architected a protocol for a network consisting of thousands of nodes, but they also had to ensure that it delivered the scalability for ultra-low power. Given the long product lifetime and underground inaccessibility, the system allows for additional functionality to be included as digital farming advances, future proofing Netafim customers and delivering opportunities for new revenue streams to Netafim. By considering the future ambitions of Netafim’s digital farming platform, the CC team designed a holistic system with great flexibility to realise future services. And that future looks good. Following production runs, units have been constructed, and field trials are well underway, with a product launch date scheduled for the end of 2025.
“CC had the specific range of technical expertise and inhouse facilities all in one place. Their deep expertise in electronics, firmware and optics dovetailed perfectly with our core strengths.”
– Avi Schweitze, Research & Development Fellow, ex-CTO, Netafim
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Why indecision drains energy, erodes trust, and keeps good people stuck, and how leaders can change it.
Every leader knows the feeling: that knot in your stomach when a decision keeps rolling from one meeting to the next. You tell yourself it’s because you need more information. In truth, it’s often because the decision carries weight, and weight makes us hesitate.
Yet every deferred decision has a cost. Not just in time, but in trust, confidence, and momentum.
The Silent Erosion of Confidence
When teams see decisions delayed, they start filling the silence with stories. “Maybe the strategy’s unclear.” “Maybe leadership isn’t aligned.” Even the best people lose focus when direction wobbles. Progress stalls not because of disagreement, but because no one knows what’s real.
Leaders rarely mean to create uncertainty, but indecision sends a message: We’re not ready. We’re not sure. Over time, that message seeps into culture.
The Illusion of Needing More Information
Most stalled decisions don’t need more data; they need courage. The easy refuge is to ask for another report, another forecast, another round of input. But in my experience, clarity rarely appears from another spreadsheet. It comes when someone asks:
What are we afraid of?
What’s the cost if we don’t act?
Decisions aren’t just analytical. They’re emotional acts of leadership, moments when we choose to commit, even without certainty.
Courage as a Leadership Discipline
Courage in leadership isn’t about bold gestures or risky bets. It’s about choosing progress over perfection. The best boards I work with don’t avoid disagreement. They face it, explore it, and move forward together.
A courageous decision creates movement, and movement builds confidence. Indecision, on the other hand, breeds anxiety, analysis, and quiet disengagement.
A Populi Reflection Framework
When you find yourself deferring a decision, try pausing and asking:
What am I really waiting for: data or permission?
If I knew this decision couldn’t fail, what would I do?
What message does this delay send to my team?
What support would help me act with more courage here?
Simple questions, but they break the loop of hesitation and bring honesty back into play.
The Shift from Caution to Clarity
Great leadership isn’t reckless, it’s responsible. It recognises that clarity matters more than control. When decisions are made, even imperfectly, teams re-engage. They regain the sense that progress is possible and that trust is earned through action.
Closing Reflection
The question isn’t whether you have enough information. It’s whether you have enough courage to act on what you already know.
Leadership is rarely about having all the answers. It’s about moving forward with integrity, honesty, and conviction so others can do the same.
*I have permission from the copyright holder to publish this content and images.
Post Overview
This story has been submitted by an Agri-TechE member.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
In every business, there comes a point where leadership faces a simple choice: succession or stagnation.
It’s rarely talked about openly. Especially in agriculture, where relationships are deep, loyalty runs strong, and many businesses have been built over generations or long periods of time. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t stop change; it just makes it harder when it arrives.
The comfort of continuity
We often tell ourselves that continuity is a sign of strength. Familiar faces, known ways of working, stability. And in many ways, it is. Continuity gives confidence to customers and staff alike.
But there’s a thin line between continuity and complacency. When leadership becomes static, the business starts to harden around the habits of its current generation. Decisions get deferred. New ideas are weighed down by old assumptions. Potential successors grow restless or drift away. And the organisation that once had energy starts quietly to lose it.
Why succession stalls
In most cases, it’s not about ego, it’s about emotion.
Leaders who have built something don’t want to see it changed.
Successors feel unsure how to step up without seeming disrespectful.
Boards and owners avoid difficult conversations until circumstances force their hand.
Fear of losing control, status, or relevance can be powerful. But the bigger risk is losing momentum.
Succession as a people process
Real succession isn’t just about replacing a name on the org chart; it’s about preparing people.
Do potential successors know what’s expected of them, and are they being developed for it?
Is there honest dialogue between current and future leaders?
Are values, culture, and purpose being consciously passed on, not just tasks and titles?
Are we creating space for the next generation to bring new thinking, not just carry on ours?
A healthy organisation grows new leaders the same way a good farmer nurtures a crop, preparing the soil, tending the roots, and knowing when to step back.
Signs of stagnation
If you want to know whether a business is moving or stuck, look for the signs:
The same people in every meeting and the same voices dominating.
A pipeline of talent that looks thin or uncertain.
Promotions that come as surprises rather than part of a plan.
Staff or family members “waiting their turn” instead of being developed for it.
The leadership responsibility
Good leaders think beyond their own tenure. They invest in people who might one day challenge or change their legacy because they understand that’s how the business stays alive.
Succession is not a threat; it’s a test of leadership maturity. It’s the difference between leaving behind a title and leaving behind a thriving organisation.
The Populi view
At its heart, succession is about trust. Trusting others to lead. Trusting yourself to let go. Trusting that the culture you’ve built can evolve without losing its essence.
The choice is always there: succession or stagnation. One looks easier in the short term. The other keeps the business and the people alive for the long term.
Get the latest agri-tech news, events and opportunities direct to your inbox
Innovative vets adopts agri-tech for early dairy disease detection
Meet the Network
Agri-TechE
As milk prices decline, along with recurring and emerging diseases and pressures to meet sustainability goals, Nantwich Farm Vets are working with ag-tech innovators to identify diseases earlier, aiming to create more efficient, profitable and successful farming systems.
The next year is offering a challenging time for the dairy industry, reflects Phil Cullinan, Business Development Manager of Nantwich Farm Vets, noting that farmers are losing 6-8 pence per litre for their milk and facing additional pressures with disease and targets.
“There’s the constant challenge of things like TB and Johne’s, then there’s emerging diseases like bluetongue, which we don’t really know what kind of impact they might have.
“There’s also ever more pressure coming on the sustainability side of things; what processors and supermarkets are asking farms to do, and how they can continually develop to achieve the broader industry goals handed down by the government to retailers and processors.
“Juggling all of that is a massive challenge, along with the day-to-day on-farm challenges of staffing and weather”.
However, despite increasing challenges, Phil remains positive that agri-tech innovations could lead to new ways of working, improving animal welfare, and increasing efficiency.
Nantwich Farm Vet, Jodie, with RoboScientific kit
Phil Cullinan, Business Development Manager, Nantwich Farm Vets
Taking a preventative approach
When it comes to animal welfare, proactive measures can help detect disease earlier – which reduces suffering and contains infectious spread.
Nantwich Farm Vets is using its Agri-TechE membership to partner with several companies to find new ways to take a preventive approach. From ‘sniffing’ out diseases from gases released from animals, to taking tissue samples for on-farm diagnostics, and AI body monitoring. Agri-tech offers various solutions to get an earlier handle on livestock disease.
For instance, the team is working with RoboScientific, a business that uses volatile organic compound sensors to detect diseases in livestock using breath samples.
By matching the breath sample to on-farm vet assessments, Nantwich Farm Vets is working to corroborate and expand RoboScientific’s dataset.
A breath sample is taken automatically by a machine as the calves feed from automatic milk feeders. “We’re currently in a development phase, but the hope would be that the farmer gets an alert early on in the disease process enabling earlier – and therefore likely more successful – treatment, as well as fewer knocks on calf growth and less antibiotic use. There are lots of benefits,” says Phil.
Additionally, Nantwich Farm Vets has been working with Vet Vision AI to use data to inform decision-making, with the aim of promoting this as a new service to their clients.
Phil explains that on one of their farms, AI cameras have been installed to monitor different parameters between two sheds. The goal is to analyse the data to guide future investments, identify small improvements, and enhance their business operations- caring for the cows and increasing efficiency.
On-farm rapid tests
Following this year’s Agri-TechE REAP Conference, Phil Cullinan also connected with one of the Start-up Showcase businesses, ProtonDX, which has developed an on-farm rapid test to diagnose diseases in under 30 minutes.
The veterinary team has supported the start-up in assessing where the technology could be useful.
“In terms of disease identification and reducing antimicrobial use, that presents another challenge for farmers, which is connected to human health. Some of the new technologies can help farmers to farm more effectively.”
Keeping the consumer in mind
Looking ahead, Phil emphasises that gaining consumer buy-in will be essential for both farmers and vets.
“Consumers, I think, are becoming more aware of what they’re doing and therefore farmers and vets are going to have to make sure that we’re able to deliver a product that is acceptable from the point of view of animal welfare, economics, and environmental sustainability,
“We as a business want to keep growing as an independent vet practice that’s thriving. We want to keep working with the kind of farmers that are going to be around in 20 years, and that can weather the additional pressures that are coming their way.
“The UK has committed to carbon targets and ultimately a legally binding target of Net Zero by 2050. So, there’s going to be more pressure on farmers, and as vets, we want to be best placed to advise them on the kind of things that we can help them with to achieve the targets that are going to be put on them, ultimately, by the processors and the people that are buying their milk.”
Nantwich Farm Vets is eager to partner with other agri-tech businesses.
“If there are any companies that are looking at agri-tech and thinking, ‘how can I get my product to the next stage? I’m interested in doing something to do with dairy cows’, then we’d be very interested in hearing from them”.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
On 26 November, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her second budget statement to Parliament. She used her statement to highlight the importance of protecting working people from the government’s tax raising measures and reiterated her three core objectives: reducing NHS waiting lists, cutting the cost of living, and curbing government debt.
The tax-raising measures outlined in the budget, which are required to meet the government’s fiscal rule of having a balanced budget for day-to-day spending by 2029-30, are projected to raise £0.7 billion in 2026-27, rising to £26 billion in 2029-30. These measures more than offset the additional packages of spending outlined in the Chancellor’s statement and reflect weaker than anticipated economic growth and higher borrowing costs. The Chancellor has opted to increase a range of existing taxes and introduce new ones, rather than pursue a smaller number of larger measures borne by the general population (such as increasing the basic rate of income tax or the standard rate of VAT).
Food, Farming & Agriculture
The budget headline for the food and drink sector is the government’s plan for a tougher sugar tax, which had been pre-announced by the health secretary the previous day. The measures will expand the scope of the soft drinks industry levy to milk-based and milk-alternative products and lower the threshold from 5g per 100ml to 4.5g, effective from 1 January 2028. The Chancellor also announced plans to tackle food inflation and reduce the regulatory burden on the largest food retailers through the new Food Inflation Gateway and its agri-food negotiations with the EU. The Food Standards Agency will work to introduce a national level regulation to streamline food standards and hygiene regulation to reduce the administrative burden on supermarkets.
The agricultural community will be disappointed that, despite months of speculation and Westminster protests, the Chancellor did not reverse her reforms to agricultural property relief. Reeves did though confirm that the £1 million allowance for the 100% rate of agricultural property relief will be transferable between spouses and civil partners.
If you are interested in discussing these matters in more detail, please contact Thea Southwell Reeves at thea@gkstrategy.com
*I have permission from the copyright holder to publish this content and images.
Post Overview
This story has been submitted by an Agri-TechE member.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Authorisation under the SORA framework enables Drone Ag to operate locally deployed drone base stations in Italy. Flights are automated, monitored from the UK, and deliver sub-millimetre crop imagery and near-real-time analysis with no on-site pilots.
Northumberland, UK, 25th November 2025.
Drone Ag, the UK agricultural-drone automation company behind Skippy Scout, has received a unique Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operational authorisation from Italy’s civil aviation authority, ENAC. Issued under the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) framework, the approval enables Drone Ag’s UK operations centre to initiate and monitor autonomous missions at specialist crop-research sites in Italy.
Each site hosts a self-contained drone base station, housing the aircraft, charging system and communications hardware, so that all flight operations occur locally and autonomously within the authorised area. This removes the need for any on-site personnel while maintaining full compliance with European aviation safety standards.
The authorisation recognises Drone Ag’s adherence to ENAC and EU Reg (EU) 2019/947 safety requirements, including enhanced containment and geo-fencing measures. Local base-station control ensures every flight remains confined to its designated airspace, while the UK-based operations centre manages scheduling, monitoring and verification. ENAC’s structured and collaborative regulatory approach supported a transparent review process focused on both safety and technological innovation.
By combining automation with advanced imaging, Skippy Scout removes manual piloting and subjective assessment. The system delivers consistent, repeatable data with machine-level objectivity. At sub-millimetre resolution, imagery supports AI and machine-learning models that can count tiny plants, detect insect damage, and perform precise canopy and growth-stage measurements.
A single autonomous flight is capable of scanning dozens of trial plots in high detail and can be repeated multiple times per day. Imagery and analysis are delivered to clients within minutes, providing near-real-time insight into crop performance and development.
The system achieves a significant reduction in labour costs and eliminates the need for travel to trial sites for inspections or VLOS flights. More than 10,000 autonomous flights have been completed using the Skippy Scout platform, demonstrating strong reliability.’ Drone Ag’s automation pipeline delivers higher-frequency, higher-detail data at a lower overall operational cost, while reducing travel emissions and on-site disruption.
“This authorisation represents an exciting step forward for Drone Ag and for agricultural automation in Europe,” said Jack Wrangham, CEO of Drone Ag. “By combining our autonomous base-station technology with advanced flight automation and data-processing pipelines, we can deliver consistent, objective crop insights at a level of detail that simply wasn’t practical before. Working with ENAC through the SORA framework has been a constructive and forward-thinking process that demonstrates how regulation can enable innovation when safety and transparency come first. This milestone shows what’s possible when robust technology meets a progressive regulatory environment, and it sets the foundation for our vision of scaled, fully-automated drone monitoring across agriculture.”
In 2026, Drone Ag will extend this model to additional EU and UK research sites, before expanding into broadacre agriculture, deploying base stations directly on commercial farms for field and farm-scale monitoring. This next phase will enable large-scale, automated, high-frequency crop insight at an unprecedented operational scale, redefining data-driven agronomy across Europe.
*I have permission from the copyright holder to publish this content and images.
Post Overview
This story has been submitted by an Agri-TechE member.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
It is natural to rush into any new project and start publishing results immediately, but is this the right approach, and are there consequences to be aware of?
One critical step that is often overlooked is Intellectual Property (IP): it can help structure projects, prevent legal barriers later, and create value for the business. But when should you check?
Smaller companies benefit from agility due to having fewer decision-makers and less complex systems to navigate. In contrast, large multinational corporations have the resources to integrate patent and published paper reviews into their development processes. However, start-ups and smaller companies often struggle to effectively leverage intellectual property (IP) because they typically lack the necessary time, resources, funding, and expertise.
🔎 Why consider IP early in development
Thinking about Intellectual Property (IP) from the start helps you know whether your idea is truly novel — or blocked by existing patents/prior art.
Running a “freedom-to-operate” check before significant investment can prevent costly mistakes and delays around infringement.
Early IP review may also show valuable inspiration from other industries or technologies — enabling you to adapt existing solutions legally and efficiently at the start of the development phase.
Designing experiments and development work with future patent applications in mind helps preserve novelty, makes patent applications easier / cheaper and maximises chances of future investment.
A clear IP strategy — covering patents, know-how, trade secrets, and eventual branding/trademarks — improves differentiation and competitive edge when you launch.
💡 Strategic Importance of IP for Startups / Small Companies
Startups that file for patents or trademarks early are up to ~10.2× more likely to secure early-stage funding.
IP assets often become the principal “defensible value” of a company — particularly in sectors like biotech, Agro-bio, or other deep-tech fields.
Patents and trademarks can serve as collateral for loans, licensing income, or acquisition/licensing deals — even before you bring a product to market.
A strong IP portfolio can improve exit value (IPO or acquisition), attract large corporate partners, or justify investor confidence. If the business’s goal is an IPO rather than building a sales organisation, then all IP protection is essential.
✅ What to do — Key IP-Strategy Actions
From the very start, track “who owns what” — especially when collaborating with universities, contractors, and employees. Ensure assignments of inventions, microbial strains, formulations, etc., are directed to the appropriate entity. Some grants require royalty-free licences to IP generated with that funding. How could this affect the future value of the business?
Think through the intended market & territory coverage (EU, USA, global) — file patents/trademarks accordingly, before public disclosure or public domain entry.
Decide early whether some inventions are better kept as trade secrets rather than publicly disclosed in patents (especially processes, formulations, know-how).
As you develop, record each milestone — discoveries, added claims, new markets entered, licensing deals — to build an evolving IP portfolio demonstrating increasing value to investors and partners.
Align IP filing timing with your R&D pipeline, branding and go-to-market launch to avoid redundant work or protection invalidation
The emergence of specialised AI systems for reviewing intellectual property (IP) has removed many previous obstacles and is a game-changer for our industry.
Companies like AB-Consultants are using dedicated AI software that can efficiently analyse over 400 million relevant patents and scientific papers in just a few minutes.
This technology can confirm feasibility, provide a list of related published patents and papers, and suggest alternative solutions to development challenges. The information gathered can be used to define critical project endpoints, determine the required filing format for IP, create a Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and conduct a tailored IP Value Assessment for investors.
If you are a startup or just starting your journey, now is the right time to consider your intellectual property and how it can optimise your chances of success.
Rob Cannings
Rob Cannings is a strategic leader and consultant in agricultural biotechnology, specialising in biostimulants, biocontrol, and sustainable crop inputs. With over 40 years of international experience in research and development, commercialisation, and business development. Expert in scaling biological businesses, navigating global regulatory landscapes, and launching innovative technologies. Additionally, founded several ventures focused on biological solutions, most recently AB-Consultants.
*I have permission from the copyright holder to publish this content and images.
Post Overview
This story has been submitted by an Agri-TechE member.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
UK-based salad grower J.E. Piccaver & Cohave long been known for their careful, progressive approach to salad and lettuce production. Constantly seeking ways to grow more efficiently, the team began working with Paul-Tech to gain a clearer picture of how nitrogen behaves in their soils — and whether there might be scope to use it more precisely.
From assumptions to evidence
The team had often wondered if their nitrogen rates could be optimised, but without direct soil data it was difficult to prove. In 2025, they decided to put that question to the test. Using Paul-Tech sensors, they monitored one of their lettuce fields throughout the growing season to observe how soil moisture and nitrogen levels changed over time.
Two Paul-Tech devices were installed in the same field — one in a biostimulant (BIO) plot and one in a non-biostimulant (NON BIO) plot. Both were on loam-to-light clay soils, and the sensors measured soilwater and nitrate dynamics at 8 cm and 20 cm depths from winter through to the end of harvest.
What the sensors revealed
Both sides started the season with similar baseline fertility. As spring progressed, the BIO plot maintained slightly higher soil moisture, while the NON BIO side experienced longer dry periods. These contrasting moisture profiles shaped how nitrogen behaved through the season: in wetter conditions, nitrogen moved more freely through the profile, while in drier soil it tended to remain closer to the surface.
After the first lettuce harvest, the sensors detected significant amounts of available nitrogen remaining in the soil. Traditionally, the field would receive another application before drilling the second crop — and this time, a smaller nitrogen dose was still applied as part of standard practice.
However, the data made it clear that even before the second drilling, there was already a substantial amount of nitrogen available in the soil, enough to support the next phase of growth without the need for further large applications.
A new understanding of residual nitrogen
By the time of the second harvest, the pattern was unmistakable: high levels of residual nitrogen remained in the soil, representing a valuable resource that could be better utilised by the following crop or a well-timed cover crop.
This insight confirmed what the team had long suspected — that there were opportunities to grow lettuces and salads with greater nitrogen efficiency than before. The Paul-Tech data didn’t just validate the idea; it provided the clear, quantitative evidence needed to plan with confidence.
Putting insight into action
Building on this understanding, J.E. Piccaver & Co will continue expanding their use of Paul-Tech technology in the 2026 season. The next step is a targeted trial where nitrogen inputs will be reduced by around 20%, starting with lettuce and extending to other crops such as onions.
By combining detailed soil insight with practical on-farm experience, the team aims to fine-tune their nitrogen strategy — maintaining quality and yield while improving overall efficiency.
A partnership for progress
For J.E. Piccaver & Co, this collaboration has provided the evidence to make small, confident adjustments that add up to meaningful results. The sensors have turned assumptions into measurable data, giving the farm team a clearer understanding of how nitrogen behaves between harvests and how it can be managed more effectively.
“We’ve always had a feeling we could use less nitrogen — now we can actually see it. The data gives us confidence to make those changes,” says the Piccaver team.
As they expand this approach to more fields and crops, the results from this first monitored lettuce site are already shaping how they plan, apply and grow — proving that better data leads to better decisions, season after season.
*I have permission from the copyright holder to publish this content and images.
Post Overview
This story has been submitted by an Agri-TechE member.
Agri-TechE 
Ceres Research
ip21
Horizon Europe 
Cambridge Consultants
Populi Consulting Ltd
GK Strategy
Drone AG
AB Consultants
Paul-Tech Ltd
