The Productive Landscape: NatureTech for Profit and Planet
How can technology enable delivery of food, nature recovery, and climate resilience - all at once?
The Head of the Environment Agency is asked: what's the national plan for dealing with land use pressures, plus you’ll hear from technologists and land managers working on nature-based and tech-enabled solutions for water, soils and climate adaptation.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
At a recent Agri-TechE funding event, Jodi Bartin, CEO of Citicourt & Co, described the challenges that companies often encounter when navigating the journey from their series A round and beyond. She says M&A is an under-valued way to grow the business.
She says: “CitiCourt advises clients on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), both on the buy side and the sell side, and we can help them to raise financing debt and equity.”
“The financial model is very important; so you need to have your finances and your investment proposition in your deck – a lot of people forget that the opportunity to exit and make money, is one of the reasons for late stage investment. So the investment proposition is very important along with a strong and balanced team.
“If you’re looking to sell your business, you will want to spend one to two years preparing for that. Ideally you need to be profitable, so you have experienced a down turn, aim to recover before you sell the business to get the best price.”
“M&A is an under-valued, and really easy way, to grow your business geographically and product-wise.”
“What we do at CitiCourt is work with our clients to put together a list of potential companies, that they could merge with or acquire.
“For example, if you’re growing your business and want to move into America – maybe you can merge with another a company or buy one in America to help de-risk entering the market.”
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
James Trotman, Agri Tech Lead at Eagle Labs, spoke at “Focus on Funding – Follow the Crowd” event and gave an overview on how Barclays Eagle Labs support startups.
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BBRO showcases novel spore detectors
Meet the Network
Agri-TechE
The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) is pleased to be sponsoring the Royal Norfolk Show’s Innovation hub again this year. They will also be showcasing their own innovation in the way of some rather special monitoring stations and novel spore detectors that are currently in action across the sugar beet growing region.
Data is key in any research project, but for agricultural organisations such as the BBRO, the collection of robust in-field data is often thwarted by weather conditions. Certain foliar diseases and pests may prove a major headache to the sugar beet industry one year, but then not seen again for years. For this reason, BBRO is developing new tools to monitor actual in-field environments alongside the early detection of pests and spores to ascertain how the two correlate.
Dr Alistair Wright is leading this work, utilising knowledge gained from travels in America and Canada where diseases such as Cercospora leaf spot are having a major impact.
Dr Alistair Wright
Novel spore detectors
Alistair explains: “One of the most striking features of our monitoring sites is the ‘Spornado’ spore collector. It’s a 3D printed vacuum system, powered by solar that literally hoovers the air for small particles which are collected on a fine mesh for lab analysis.
“At the moment we are looking for Cercospora spores but as we develop the technology and our capabilities, we will be able to identify many other fungal spores, and maybe even pests, to provide an invaluable early detection system for sugar beet growers.
“Whilst understanding the presence and level of spores is important, we also need to define the weather conditions required to cause infection and have therefore introduced a network of Sencrop weather stations on each site. These collect general weather info to determine, rainfall, temperature and humidity levels but also incorporate a leaf sensor that is hidden in the crop to ascertain the actual conditions within the crop canopy.
“By monitoring spores and changing weather conditions we hope to be able to predict the potential level of disease pressure and therefore take action before disease development.”
Defence against virus yellows
“There are 12 of these special monitoring sites which also form part of the BBRO wider yellow water pan network, monitoring the presence of aphids (particularly Myzus persicae a carrier of Virus yellows),” Alistair continues. Further Information relating to the aphid survey is available on the BBRO.
“We have also added several moth pheromone traps to monitor the presence of the Beet moth that caused major destruction to areas of the crop in 2022, particularly in the Bury area.
“Data from all sites will be collected twice a week for at least 12 weeks, which is a huge commitment from those involved. We are indebted to BBRO staff, our partners and supporters for their help in delivering this project.”
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Blog from Steve Thomas & James Westley, Cambridge Consultants
For companies developing cultured meat and other cultured ingredients, each step up in scale presents both technical and financial challenges. Predicting the performance of a cell expansion and differentiation process when climbing the process scale ladder from lab to pilot to commercial scale is an expensive and uncertain affair. At each stage, the investment in plant equipment grows exponentially, as does the volume of media required to run each development and optimisation culture.
Increasing the volume of the culture process can completely change the physics of key process behaviours such as fluidic mixing, gas transfer, damaging turbulent energy dissipation and laminar shear. The biology’s response to these hard to predict changes is at best non-linear and at worse, chaotic. All this adds up to an uncomfortable high financial risk, low-certainty situation that technology leaders and investors thoroughly dislike. The challenge for bioprocessing engineering
This begs a key question for bioprocessing engineering: what can cultured protein ventures do to gain insight into the behaviour of their processes before placing a bet on CAPEX and development costs? The GFI has highlighted the ability to better computationally model behaviours of these processes at scale as a top priority for cellular agriculture and have funded some projects with the Cultured Meat Modelling Consortium to address the question. We at CC also believe that sophisticated predictive models – digital twins – that couple biology, heat transfer, mass transfer and fluid dynamics can shed light on potential issues when scaling up. These biofluidic digital twins are capable of: Rapidly gaining insights into process behaviour across a wide operational, geometric, and fluidic parameter space
Enabling ‘virtual’ sensors Using a combination of the above to test control regimes, ultimately feeding into highly stable model-based control
Exploring process behaviours to inform investment decisions
Engineering biology is never straightforward. There is an enormous number of variables that influence the behaviour of a cultured meat process, ranging from media composition to aeration and agitation rates. Understanding the scaled process behaviour response across this vast design space far from economically viable, especially for expensive to change parameters like plant specifications.
Digital twins trained with real data from lower-cost lab experiments and thermofluidic physics can be used to explore the design space much more economically. As an example, we have trained a digital twin to give us insights into the local volumetric oxygen mass transfer rate (KLA) , damaging viscous dissipation energy, and corresponding local biomass growth rate of S. cerevisiae for a range of bioreactor operating conditions and geometries.
Below you can see a matrix of animations showing cell damaging zones around an impeller (left) and the local oxygen transfer rate (KLA, right) across a range of impeller tip speeds (top) and media viscosities (bottom).
More visibility, with no added cost
The control of a cultured protein bioprocess often depends on careful monitoring of process variables such as dissolved oxygen, glucose and lactate, via sensors. However, as processes scale up, the distribution of these variables widens in the reactor. A solution to this is to simply to increase the number of sensors, but his will have economic limits. Digital twins can unlock this trade-off via the creation of virtual sensors. Using the digital twin we developed in the previous example, we can infer the distribution of dissolved oxygen content, glucose and biomass growth rate throughout the bioreactor.
Maximising yield and identifying problems early
Cell culture bioprocesses are inherently complex and nonlinear, making it difficult to predict and control the behaviour of the system. Multivariate interactions, metabolism variability and spatial distributions all contribute to a very difficult control engineering problem.
Digital twins can improve upon typical feedback control regimes and alleviate these issues by acting like dynamic reduced order models of the system. This approach can dampen out the instabilities and slow response time associated with typical closed-loop feedback approaches, ultimately improving performance. This approach would be possible with the digital twin we have built but would require testing and validation using a real bioprocess. An added benefit is that it enables the detection of unexpected conditions in the cell culture, for example elevated oxygen uptake rate due to contamination.
Delighting the consumer and reaching profitability
The team here at CC believes that these types of approaches can address some of the biggest challenges with delivering cultured protein products. We can see a future for industrial biotechnology where these approaches can be extrapolated to enhancing product taste and texture by also considering the expression of volatile metabolites, proteins and lipids as part of the digital twin. Doing so will accelerate cultured protein companies towards delightful consumer experiences within a viable and sustainable business model.
Ultimately the world needs to meet a significant challenge. At its heart is the commercial imperative to deliver a final product that meets not only the desired levels of quality and purity, but that also provides a company with a viable business model. Not only that, but food with bio-derived components must be put on consumers’ tables that is acceptable to their sensibilities and reflects the demand for sustainability. If you are looking for ways to revolutionise your approach to bioprocessing engineering and want to know more about how we can help, email Steve Thomas or James Westley. It’ll be great to hear from you.
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The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Dafydd Wright, our Managing Partner spoke at Agri-TechE ’s virtual event on career paths across the agi-tech ecosystem.
Intended for those with nascent careers in agri-tech and agriculture, Friday’s event was developed to support delegates in their decision making, providing examples of professional career trajectories.
Delivering the keynote speech, Dafydd launched the core content with his usual energy, giving case studies of individuals who have enjoyed rewarding careers. His speech was followed by a panel discussion from experts in areas that included consultancy, investment, agri-engineering, research, knowledge exchange and marketing. The presentations were then followed by an audience Q&A.
“The level of engagement and quality of questions demonstrated the skill and confidence of the cohort entering the agri-tech and agricultural sector,” comments Dafydd. “I was delighted to be involved in this event and to share our experience of career progression with a highly engaged audience.”
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The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
We had the pleasure of welcoming our colleagues from the Earlham Institute in our London office at the Knowledge Quarter! The Earlham Institute is one of our foundational knowledge partners, and collaboratively we aim to identify novel avenues to analyze, explore and exploit complex microbiome data.
The Earlham Institute brings a wealth of expertise in genomics and bioinformatics, as well as developing and testing laboratory methods and computational biology pipelines to study microbial communities.
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The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
For more than four decades, FarmscanAg and our sister company in Australia, SmartAg Systems, have collaborated closely with manufacturers, engineers, and farmers to design and provide technology that meets the demands of the industry and delivers tangible efficiencies in the field. We are thrilled to announce the development of our latest innovation – a remote load cell monitoring system that caters to the needs of farmers who wish to track the weight of the bin from afar, even when they are not within the proximity of the operating system.
What is remote load cell monitoring?
Remote load cell monitoring is a system that allows farmers to monitor the weight of their crops, livestock, or equipment from a distance using load cells and wireless technology. Load cells are devices that convert a physical force or weight into an electrical signal, which can be transmitted wirelessly to a remote monitoring system, such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Here’s how our new remote load cell monitoring system works:
Our load cells are often installed beneath or adjacent to the equipment or structure that needs to be weighed, such as a grain bin or livestock scale.
The load cells usually communicate with our rate controller using CanBus but we have also connected a wireless transmitter that sends the weight data to our remote monitoring system application.
The remote monitoring system displays the weight data in real-time, allowing the farmer to track the weight of their crops, livestock, or equipment without having to physically be present. In the latest version of the APP, it is also possible to TARE the bin or weighbridge remotely.
The system can also be set up to send alerts if the weight exceeds a certain threshold. This can be very helpful where fill times are long and you would like the system to automatically stop.
How does this help farmers?
A remote load cell monitoring system can help farmers save time and improve their operations by allowing them to remotely monitor anything being weighed using their load cell system.
Remote load cell monitoring can be a valuable tool for farmers in several ways:
Enable easy and safe calibration of seeders: Load cells can be fitted to seeders enabling farmers to not only fill accurately but also calibrate the drill – without leaving the cab! Simply start the calibration process and wait until 5% or more of the load has been dispensed, next time you stop for longer than 5 seconds, press ‘finish calibration’. The new calibration is displayed and you are then able to accept or reject the calibration. Presto – calibration without leaving the cab.
Prevent overloading of farm vehicles: Load cells can also be installed on farm vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, to monitor the weight of the load being transported. This helps farmers avoid overloading their vehicles, which can cause damage to roads and bridges and result in fines. By monitoring the weight of their loads remotely, farmers can ensure they are within legal weight limits during the load/fill process and avoid costly penalties.
Improved safety: By monitoring the weight of farm equipment and vehicles remotely, farmers can ensure that they are operating within safe limits. Overloading equipment or vehicles can cause accidents, which can be dangerous and costly. Remote load cell monitoring can help farmers avoid these risks and keep their workers and equipment safe.
Overall, remote load cell monitoring can help farmers optimise their operations, increase efficiency, and reduce costs, while also improving safety and environmental sustainability.
Does the system require software updates?
Throughout the development of this new product, we have focused on what farmers truly want: simplicity. With this in mind, we are designing the system to contain one line of numbers for each BIN or set of load cells being monitored, which means updates are not required for this set-and-forget app!
What products is it compatible with?
It is designed to be used exclusively with the FarmscanAG Load Cell interface. However, its versatile design allows it to be fitted to many other load cell summation products, providing that the system can communicate on a RS 232 serial port.
Want to learn more?
We’re here to help you achieve real-time efficiencies in the field. Get in touch with our friendly and knowledgeable team to find out more.
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The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
A British farm robot firm fights for survival after a major investor pulls out and highlights the difficulties of raising investment in the agritech sector to expand a business.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
Digitising the food supply chain
AgriTech Bridge powered by Barclays Eagle Labs funded by UK Government
In collaboration with CodeBase, we have developed a new programme, AgriTech Bridge, that brings together some of the UK’s leading corporations and most promising startups. This programme allows some of UK’s biggest firms to share experiences and connect and learn both with peers and startups working in the industry.
The Challenge
Whether it’s farm gate solutions, supplier forecasting, waste management, or sustainable packaging – data and digitisation are key to understanding and securing the food supply chain.
In today’s fast and sometimes volatile food supply chain, disruptive innovation is necessary from field to fork in order to help the industry to survive.
How is the programme delivered?
The programme is delivered via a combination of virtual and in-person sessions once a month over a 10-month period through a series of themed meetups that brings together business and industry experts as well as leaders from established food supply or agriculture companies and startups to work towards a sustainable food supply chain.
Each of the ten modules is designed to expose food supply chain businesses and the AgriTech start-ups to core strategic thinking and best practices and will cover relevant topics that ensure a valuable exchange about innovation.
Why join?
Technology can help redefine food production systems, however we understand how hard it is for larger food supply chain companies and startups to work together to help tackle some of the challenges the industry faces. Through the Eagle Labs AgriTech Bridge programme, we help surface these challenges to collectively come up with new solutions to age-old problems.
Who’s it for?
The programme is aimed at corporates and startups involved at any stage of the food supply chain, from field to fork.
Through monthly physical & virtual meetings in a safe, innovative space we’re able to share ideas and combine expertise around specific shared challenges to work towards a sustainable solution.
Startups
Food supply or AgriTech startups or startups whose products, services or innovations can be applied to the food supply chain will be able to build deeper domain expertise and meet larger businesses from the industry to expand their network and potentially provide solutions or proofs-of-concept for larger businesses.
Established businesses
Incumbent businesses are introduced to new technologies, practices, skills and cultures to help transform and accelerate innovation in their business.
The views expressed in this Member News article are the author's own and do not necessarily represent those of Agri-TechE.
SWIFT response to energy challenges in Ethiopia
A UK-ETHIOPIA collaborative project aims to deliver a game changing solution to improve energy access and food security in a rural and off-grid region in Ethiopia through the use of satellite data.
In Ethiopia, rural communities make up 70% of the population yet currently have less than 20% energy access compared to urban areas. The need is accentuated by the current energy crisis, with increasing fossil fuel costs crippling the use of stand-alone diesel generators for irrigation. This, coupled with extreme drought, has made it near impossible for many farmers to grow and harvest crops, resulting in significant food insecurity across many parts of Ethiopia.
One of the challenges of providing electricity to rural communities is estimating the energy demand for the likes of irrigation. For mini-grid developers and renewable energy providers, having access to accurate demand forecasting technology is critical to avoiding under or over investments.
This project therefore focuses on estimating energy demand for small-scale hydro, wind and solar mini-grids that would power irrigation systems in rural areas by utilising LENKÉ: Space & Water Solutions’ state-of-the-art technology, SWIFT (Soil Water Index Forecast Technology). SWIFT is developed by modelling a combination of satellite, climate and statical data to predict soil moisture concentration at different soil depths.
CEO of LENKÉ, Dr Lensa Jotte, said: “The objective of this project is to provide a decision support tool for the application of renewable, affordable, and sustainable energy sources to off-grid, marginalised communities in Ethiopia.”
“We will use earth observation data to identify, plan and monitor mini-grid installation. The upscaled SWIFT will act as a powerful tool within the growing Ethiopian energy market in order to de-risk mini-grid investment in communities.”
Senior International Business Development Manager for UK Agri-TechE Centre CHAP, Dr Jenna Ross OBE, said: “I am proud to be leading a fantastic international multidisciplinary team to deliver this game changing solution that will improve energy and food security in Ethiopia.
“The project will be targeted towards Garda Marta, Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region, a community based 140km from Arba Minch town. Historically, farmers in the area have used diesel pumps to drive irrigation, however, due to the current energy challenges and extreme droughts, have been unable to afford this. The impact of this is significant, with many farmers unable to harvest their crops for the last six seasons leading to sever food insecurity.”
An associate researcher at Renewable Energy Technology Research Center at Arba Minch University, Eng. Beyene Feye, said: ‘‘The project will contribute a significant role in response to the sustainable development goal of zero hunger and access to affordable energy. The adoption of renewable energy sources such as small/mini-hydro, wind and solar are identified as eco-friendly energy sources, and optimal utilization of these resources can minimize environmental impacts.
“The proper design and optimisation of energy sources by using on-ground truth data can be validated via the application of cutting-edge technology of SWIFT. I am delighted to be a part of this fanciful international team with diverse education background working on the same goals to solve the problems of rural communities.”
Research Scientist and Programmes Manager with CABI, Dr Negussie Efa, said: “The project aligns very well with the government’s aspiration and plan to mitigate challenges related to reliance of the agricultural sector on rainfall, as well as complements the green economy development efforts of the country. The project will be piloted among a farming community who have been experiencing frequent crop failure due to shortage of rain and are in dire need of interventions that promote affordable energy sources and irrigation technologies.
“It is my sincere belief that bringing together international and local teams of experts will undoubtedly lead the project to success. The lessons and experiences from the pilot area have great potential to be scaled up and out to other regions or the country.”
Citicourt & Co Limited
Barclays Eagle Labs
Norfolk Rivers Trust
Agri-TechE 
Cambridge Consultants
SCi Partners
Earlham Institute
Farmscan AG
Small Robot Company
UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd