It’s our mission through 2020 to focus on some of the most relevant emerging technologies and explore their real value for the agriculture of the future. Mindful of the changes facing the industry and the central role of innovation and delivery of impact, our events programme aims to help you view new opportunities with a fresh eye and an open mind. Here are a few of the events we are planning (subject to change – check out our events page for up to date information).
Learn, Celebrate and Network!
13th January, Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington, Cambridge
With some exciting new announcements, Agri-Tech East members are warmly invited to join us for afternoon tea and meet key leaders in Innovate UK and Defra responsible for funding and policy in the agri-food sector. Join us to meet new collaborators, customers and connect with other members of the UK’s leading agri-tech innovation ecosystem!
Nothing to Wine About – Uncorking the Opportunities for Innovation in Viticulture
11th Feb, Cambridge Consultants, Cambridge
The transformation of plant products into alcohol is one of the oldest industries which is both art and a science. But technology is helping change the way vineyards and orchards are managed, using state-of-the-art technologies and decision-making solutions. Here we’ll be discussing the opportunities and entry points for tech to continue to support the growing viticulture industry and showcasing some of the current solutions and market opportunities. And maybe a sample or two…
Controlled Environment Agriculture – The Industry is Growing Up
18th March, John Innes Centre, Norwich
It’s back! Our 2019 CEA event attracted the key players in the vertical farming industry from the UK and beyond, as well as interested growers, technologists and researchers. So we’re doing it again in 2020! With talks, panel sessions, discussion and exhibition opportunities, as well as an update on the progress of the global vertical farming industry, we’ll be celebrating the success so far and exploring the bottlenecks still to be busted.
Read more here and see what happened at the 2019 CEA event here.
Keeping a Sunny Outlook – De-risking Agriculture Through Weather-Tech
April 29th, Hethel Engineering Centre, Norwich
Forecasting, monitoring and mitigating the impacts of weather on agriculture has always been at the heart of farming. This Pollinator will explore some of the start-ot-the-art solutions to help farmer stay one step ahead of the weather, and as climate change brings ever more extreme weather events, how the supply chain can insure against and help mitigate risks.
From Farmer to Pharma—and Beyond
14th May – Fowden Hall, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden
The use of plants for regulated therapeutic use and other applications is growing worldwide and represents a major opportunity for growers to produce higher value crops. This is your opportunity to meet the key players in the value chain and learn more about the agronomy of these crops, new variety development, processing solutions and needs, regulatory requirements and potential routes to market.
GROW Agri-Tech Business Competition Plan—Final
4th June, Sainsbury Laboratory, University of Cambridge
An invitation-only opportunity to meet and question the finalists planning new tech businesses for the industry.
Could you be one of those finalists? Do you have a good agri-tech idea or business concept and want to take it to market? Find out more about GROW here.
Novel and Alternative Crops – Improving the Rotation AND the Bottom Line?
17th June, 1.30 – 6.30pm, Earlham Institute, Norwich
Consumer tastes and trends are changing, and with them is an opportunity for agriculture. From ancient grains to unusual legumes, an increased demand for veg-based products and plant milks, this represents a chance for change. We’ll be hearing about the ups and downs of growing alternative crops to explore new markets and drive on-farm profitability, as well as potentially growing crops suited to a changing climate.
Seeing the Wood for the Trees – Innovation for Agroforestry and Soil Carbon Capture
16th September 2pm – 5.30pm, Suffolk
Silvo-arable and silvo-pasture systems, as well as farming forests could help UK agriculture reach next zero carbon emissions by 2040. But tree planting requires long-term planning and a clear understanding of the natural capital potential as well as anticipated economic benefits, as well as tech for tree management, including mapping and visualisation above and below ground, carbon capture and incentives.
Agriculture 101
22nd September, Future Business Centre, Cambridge
Revisiting our sell-out entry-level overview of the industry for those new-to-agriculture.
Advances in Breeding for Agriculture – New Tools for New Solutions
8th October NIAB, 1.30pn – 6.30pm Sophi Taylor Building
Improvements in crops, livestock and insects are possible thanks to advanced tools of breeding, using molecular and genetic techniques. Here we will have an update on where advanced breeding is helping harness new and ancient traits as well as exploring the regulatory landscape for their management and application.
Agri-Tech Week 2020
9th—13th November, Various locations
Agri-Tech Week is back once again! An opportunity to meet new customers, clients, collaborators and customers colleagues and find out the latest in new technologies and innovations in the agri-food tech value chain, with our central REAP Conference.