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REAP Conference 2020: From micro-scape to landscape – Innovating at the frontier
Tuesday 10th November 2020

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Managing complexity is the biggest challenge for agriculture, as every variable on every level – from the microbes in the soil to global weather patterns – can impact productivity, profitability and sustainability. Innovation is increasingly enabling a greater understanding of the inter-dependence between these variables – starting with the microscopic and cellular processes in soils, plants and animals, and learning how they can impact agriculture at a bigger scale – in crops, herds, fields, farms and landscapes.
This year’s REAP conference is taking a farmer-centric view of the emerging approaches and technologies to support improved decision-making at every level, informing actionable insights and improved planning across the supply chain…

REAP brings together people from across Agri-TechE’s unique ecosystem who believe that innovation is the engine behind adaptive change for the industry. It brings together those who want to develop or deploy new technology, bring fresh thinking and apply best practice to make a difference to agriculture and horticulture – in the UK and beyond. This includes farmers and growers, researchers and technology developers, entrepreneurs and investors, as well as professional and commercial service providers. All these are critical players in ensuring new innovations can make the difference where they need to – in farm businesses.
The conference is strongly focused around bridging the gap between producer needs and innovation-based solutions, as well as showcasing the increasingly vibrant agri-tech start-up community.
This year we are harnessing the opportunity of the digital experience via Swapcard to reduce geographical separation across the network and elevate the networking opportunities to a new dimension – using AI-enabled brokerage to ensure you make valuable connections. We will also be keeping the platform open for 10 days after the event. You’ll still be able to book meetings during this time, browse the stands, and watch back the conference content; perfect for those in different time zones!
Be part of REAP 2020 and lead from the front. You’ll be in good company.
Hover over the images below to hear about our speakers and look at our Emerging Agri-Tech session to find out what a Rubik’s cube can tell you about decision-making in the field…
#REAP20 - An experience like no other
REAP is your opportunity to be part of an ever-expanding, globally-recognised agri-tech innovation ecosystem. You’ll have a unique chance to form new connections, catalyse collaborations and share ideas, as well as re-connect with existing contacts – and this year we welcome an array of international delegations as well as many new UK partners. We’ll be on hand during the day to make suggestions and broker introductions supported by the back-office AI-enabled technology. Don’t forget to look out for the following:
- A revolutionary approach to improving soil health based on best practice from the world’s top farmers – curated by the inspirational Prof David Montgomery
- Collaborations that are creating impact – entrepreneurs that have featured in previous REAP Start-Up Showcases talk about farmer-led projects that are radically changing the value chain
- First chance to see ground-breaking innovation in this year’s Start-Up Showcase
- Leading scientists giving their edit of the most exciting discovery science
-
New product launches and technology demonstrations featured in the Technology Hub
-
An interactive “Sofa Session” with expert insights to stimulate lively discussion from the international audience
Be part of REAP 2020 and lead from the front. You’ll be in good company.
Hover over the images below to hear about our speakers and look at our Emerging Agri-Tech session to find out what a Rubik’s cube can tell you about decision-making in the field…
#REAP20 - An experience like no other
REAP is your opportunity to be part of an ever-expanding, globally-recognised agri-tech innovation ecosystem. You’ll have a unique chance to form new connections, catalyse collaborations and share ideas, as well as re-connect with existing contacts – and this year we welcome an array of international delegations as well as many new UK partners. We’ll be on hand during the day to make suggestions and broker introductions supported by the back-office AI-enabled technology. Don’t forget to look out for the following:
- A revolutionary approach to improving soil health based on best practice from the world’s top farmers – curated by the inspirational Prof David Montgomery
- Collaborations that are creating impact – entrepreneurs that have featured in previous REAP Start-Up Showcases talk about farmer-led projects that are radically changing the value chain
- First chance to see ground-breaking innovation in this year’s Start-Up Showcase
- Leading scientists giving their edit of the most exciting discovery science
-
New product launches and technology demonstrations featured in the Technology Hub
-
An interactive “Sofa Session” with expert insights to stimulate lively discussion from the international audience
Programme
The full conference programme can be viewed on the platform by paid attendees and exhibitors until Friday 20th November.
9:00 Conference opens: Welcome and information
9:30 Introduction to REAP 2020
John Barrett, Director of Sentry Ltd, and Chair of the Agri-TechE Stakeholder Group
Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE
Watch a video introduction to REAP.
9:45 Farmer-Tech Focus – Digital agriculture in action
Chaired by Keith Norman, Keith Norman Consulting
Three agri-tech companies – Outfield: precision fruit farming; Breedr: precision livestock production; and Arable Labs: decision agriculture – featured in REAP Start-Up Showcases just a few years ago are now achieving global impact. The entrepreneurs return to share their journey from concept to on-farm commercial adoption and their farmer partners will discuss how to integrate innovation into current practice.
Jim MacDougall, Outfield, with Tom Hulme, AC Hulme & Sons
Adam Wolf, Arable Labs, with Will Drayton, Treasury Wine Estates (Australia)
Ian Wheal, Breedr, with Doug Dear, AS & EA Dear & Son / D&P Custom Feeding
11:00 Start-Up Showcase – The new generation
Sponsored by Rothamsted Enterprises
Chaired by Nicole Sadd, Rothamsted Enterprises
The REAP Start-Up Showcase is the launch pad for game-changing innovation. Profile gained within the agri-tech ecosystem of investors, advisors, customers and collaborators accelerates the progress of enterprises that are bringing new thinking to real world challenges.
Read more about the Start-Up Showcase.
12:00 Break: Exhibition tours and express networking facilitated by Agri-TechE and AI
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
12:30 Emerging Agri-Tech – Come into the lab
Sponsored by EIT Food
What do a tube of deep heat, a bar code, a Rubik’s cube and some PVA glue have in common? These – and other – everyday objects will be used by leading scientists to highlight the inspiration behind, and application of their work to farmers and growers, as they invite you into their labs to explore the discovery science that is evolving for commercial use. Incremental improvements to crop performance and big picture thinking to evaluate risk are both needed within agriculture. We will learn just how research is contributing to our understanding of how to integrate these different “scales” to create an understanding of the complete “system.”
Air-seq: using DNA sequencing to provide early warning of airborne crop disease – Richard Leggett, Group Leader of the Technology Algorithms Group, Earlham Institute
60 Harvests Left: Debunking the Myth – Daniel Evans, 75th Anniversary Research Fellow, Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute
Soil glue: a microbial perspective – Tom Wilkes, University of Hertfordshire
A smelly approach to crop protection – Joe Roberts, Insect Chemical Ecology Research Associate, Harper Adams University
Sustainable solutions for global food security – Giles Oldroyd, Professor of Crop Science at Crop Science Centre
Balancing the conflicting demands on farmers and farming systems – Jonathan Storkey, Principal Research Scientist – Agroecology, Rothamsted Research
WheatsApp: An AI app for plant disease detection – Megan Long, John Innes Centre
Strawberries, robots and supply chains – Simon Pearson, Director of Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT)
Soils – Dirt with Life in It! – Alex Dumbrell, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex
Read more about the Emerging Agri-Tech session.
13:30 Lunch: Exhibition tours and express networking
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
14:00 Small Robot Company Exclusive Announcement in the Technology Hub
14:30 Keynote address – Growing a Revolution
Sponsored by AHDB
Chaired by Susannah Bolton, AHDB
David Montgomery, MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington
Montgomery has travelled the world, meeting farmers at the forefront of an agricultural movement to restore soil health. He sees the huge societal benefits of this work and potential for reforming government subsidies to incentive practices that build soil health and carbon storage. He provides an inspirational view of what is possible.
Read more from David Montgomery.
15:15 Sofa Session – Building an inter-scale agricultural system
Chaired by Julian Little, Julian Little Communications
Sir Duncan Wingham, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council
Jane Rickson, Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at Cranfield University
Mike Green, Agricultural Sustainability Manager – Agricultural Solutions at BASF
Stuart Hill, Head of Technology and Innovation at Hutchinsons
David Montgomery, MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington
What does an “inter-scale” agricultural system of the future look like?
Innovators from different perspectives, from soil microbiology to earth observation, from field level to policy overview, help pull together the thinking from the day and stimulate a discussion with the delegates. Together we will envisage a technology roadmap to the future.
15:45 Closing comments
Belinda Clarke
15:50 Exhibition tours and express networking
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
16.15 – 17.00 Closed Q&A Session with David Montgomery
Sponsored by Savills
Chaired by Alex Bragg, Savills
Farmer delegates are invited to join David Montgomery for a closed Q&A session and a virtual “beer” after the conference, courtesy of Savills. This is your chance to explore David’s concepts around soils health in more detail and have the chance to ask questions and learn more.”
9:00 Conference opens: Welcome and information
9:30 Introduction to REAP 2020
John Barrett, Director of Sentry Ltd, and Chair of the Agri-TechE Stakeholder Group
Belinda Clarke, Director of Agri-TechE
Watch a video introduction to REAP.
9:45 Farmer-Tech Focus – Digital agriculture in action
Chaired by Keith Norman, Keith Norman Consulting
Three agri-tech companies – Outfield: precision fruit farming; Breedr: precision livestock production; and Arable Labs: decision agriculture – featured in REAP Start-Up Showcases just a few years ago are now achieving global impact. The entrepreneurs return to share their journey from concept to on-farm commercial adoption and their farmer partners will discuss how to integrate innovation into current practice.
Jim MacDougall, Outfield, with Tom Hulme, AC Hulme & Sons
Adam Wolf, Arable Labs, with Will Drayton, Treasury Wine Estates (Australia)
Ian Wheal, Breedr, with Doug Dear, AS & EA Dear & Son / D&P Custom Feeding
11:00 Start-Up Showcase – The new generation
Sponsored by Rothamsted Enterprises
Chaired by Nicole Sadd, Rothamsted Enterprises
The REAP Start-Up Showcase is the launch pad for game-changing innovation. Profile gained within the agri-tech ecosystem of investors, advisors, customers and collaborators accelerates the progress of enterprises that are bringing new thinking to real world challenges.
Read more about the Start-Up Showcase.
12:00 Break: Exhibition tours and express networking facilitated by Agri-TechE and AI
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
12:30 Emerging Agri-Tech – Come into the lab
Sponsored by EIT Food
What do a tube of deep heat, a bar code, a Rubik’s cube and some PVA glue have in common? These – and other – everyday objects will be used by leading scientists to highlight the inspiration behind, and application of their work to farmers and growers, as they invite you into their labs to explore the discovery science that is evolving for commercial use. Incremental improvements to crop performance and big picture thinking to evaluate risk are both needed within agriculture. We will learn just how research is contributing to our understanding of how to integrate these different “scales” to create an understanding of the complete “system.”
Air-seq: using DNA sequencing to provide early warning of airborne crop disease – Richard Leggett, Group Leader of the Technology Algorithms Group, Earlham Institute
60 Harvests Left: Debunking the Myth – Daniel Evans, 75th Anniversary Research Fellow, Cranfield Soil and Agrifood Institute
Soil glue: a microbial perspective – Tom Wilkes, University of Hertfordshire
A smelly approach to crop protection – Joe Roberts, Insect Chemical Ecology Research Associate, Harper Adams University
Sustainable solutions for global food security – Giles Oldroyd, Professor of Crop Science at Crop Science Centre
Balancing the conflicting demands on farmers and farming systems – Jonathan Storkey, Principal Research Scientist – Agroecology, Rothamsted Research
WheatsApp: An AI app for plant disease detection – Megan Long, John Innes Centre
Strawberries, robots and supply chains – Simon Pearson, Director of Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology (LIAT)
Soils – Dirt with Life in It! – Alex Dumbrell, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex
Read more about the Emerging Agri-Tech session.
13:30 Lunch: Exhibition tours and express networking
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
14:30 Keynote address – Growing a Revolution
Sponsored by AHDB
Chaired by Susannah Bolton, AHDB
David Montgomery, MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington
Montgomery has travelled the world, meeting farmers at the forefront of an agricultural movement to restore soil health. He sees the huge societal benefits of this work and potential for reforming government subsidies to incentive practices that build soil health and carbon storage. He provides an inspirational view of what is possible.
Read more from David Montgomery.
15:15 Sofa Session – Building an inter-scale agricultural system
Chaired by Julian Little, Julian Little Communications
Sir Duncan Wingham, Executive Chair of the Natural Environment Research Council
Jane Rickson, Professor of Soil Erosion and Conservation at Cranfield University
Mike Green, Agricultural Sustainability Manager – Agricultural Solutions at BASF
Stuart Hill, Head of Technology and Innovation at Hutchinsons
David Montgomery, MacArthur Fellow and professor of geomorphology at the University of Washington
What does an “inter-scale” agricultural system of the future look like?
Innovators from different perspectives, from soil microbiology to earth observation, from field level to policy overview, help pull together the thinking from the day and stimulate a discussion with the delegates. Together we will envisage a technology roadmap to the future.
15:45 Closing comments
Belinda Clarke / John Barrett
15:50 Exhibition tours and express networking
Technology Hub sponsored by Cambridge & Peterborough Combined Authority
16.15 – 17.00 Closed Q&A Session with David Montgomery
Sponsored by Savills
Chaired by Alex Bragg, Savills
Farmer delegates are invited to join David Montgomery for a closed Q&A session and a virtual “beer” after the conference, courtesy of Savills. This is your chance to explore David’s concepts around soils health in more detail and have the chance to ask questions and learn more.”
Speakers
Technology Hub
The Technology Hub, kindly sponsored by the Cambridgeshire Peterborough Combined Authority, is your chance to immerse yourself in the innovation ecosystem around Agri-TechE.
While technology and research is part of the ecosystem, the wider “enablers” are also crucial to making it functional, efficient and world-leading. The REAP software platform will enable you to “visit” the stands and meet the teams behind the tech. The Hub will also feature a number of international exhibitors who are keen to create new collaborations and forge new partnerships.
The Hub will be open all day, so do take some time to stop by and browse the booths!
Sponsors
Feedback
“What a great day and thank you all so much for your enormous effort in putting together a fantastic conference… It was so timely to have such an engaging speaker and to pull together such a great group.”
“Many congratulations pulling off a great virtual event… I have no doubt it took a huge effort both in planning and ensuring technical delivery – very well done.”
“REAP this year was excellent. Congratulations to you and your team. The platform worked seamlessly and networking was a breeze. The speakers and conversations were also excellent. I am already looking forward to next year.”
“I thought the day went really well. I was impressed at how well it worked as a virtual meeting. I really liked the Emerging Agri-Tech ‘bring along an object to discuss’, really innovative approach and opened up complex topics to a simpleton, like me!”
“That was such a great event! I always love what you produce, it is genuine and high quality.”
“I have attended many virtual and global conferences, but that was by far the most organized. I was so impressed by the smoothness in transitions between speakers, so impressed by the diversity in content, and mightily impressed by the creativity that propels the agri-tech world.”
“The whole day had great content and was executed really professionally… you should know that your efforts are appreciated, you have done yourselves proud.”
“The whole day had great content and was executed really professionally… you should know that your efforts are appreciated, you have done yourselves proud.”
“Congratulations on a successful and amazing REAP event! I loved every minute and found it to be very useful – many connections forthcoming. And to do it so well digitally was just amazing. Kudos to you and the whole team.”
“Some really fantastic presentations, and I’ve got a number of interesting meetings lined up. Great to see everyone engaging so well through this different platform! Well done to the team on putting together a great event despite the change of format.”
Start-Up Showcase Hall of Fame
The REAP Start-Up Showcase is one of the most hotly-anticipated sessions of the conference. We keep a watching brief on emerging and growing ventures and invite them to share their thinking at REAP. Some may be seeking investment, but most are looking for partnerships, industry insights and co-development collaborators to help make their business a commercial success. We have invited eight of the most exciting start-ups to share their technologies and their ambitions with you – YOU can be part of their journey and make a different to the industry?
As ever, the line-up of Start-Ups is unveiled on the day of the conference, but for anyone interested in the latest new businesses developing solutions for agri-robotics, crop scouting, analytics, and alternative plastics – not to mention the “internet of bees” – you’ll see them here first – and hopefully then headlining conferences of the future!
We are delighted to thank Rothamsted Enterprises for sponsoring the Start-Up Showcase session 11:00 -12:00 am at REAP