Innovative Systems

Collaborative R&D and new technologies to support the change to more sustainable crop production, Richard Glass, Innovation Lead, UK Agri-Tech Centre

The Agri-tech sector is developing a wide range of new technologies, supported with Innovate UK funding through collaborative R&D projects with industry and academic partners. Sensors can detect, identify and locate with precision early signals of plant stress or pest and disease damage to support decisions by farmers and agronomists in the timing, dose and targeting of crop inputs, leading to greater economic and environmental sustainability.

Biologicals Benefits for Broadacre, Harry Edwards and Dr. Nayem Hassan, Russell Bio Solutions

This presentation will cover how the components of biological products can benefit UK arable systems, when formulated into usable products. Trial results have shown increases in grain protein content under reduced synthetic fertiliser conditions in a group one milling wheat. Trials also show how biostimulants can improve oilseed rape’s tolerance to Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle infestation.

Hybrid Systems - CEA Doesn't Have To Be Standalone, Mark Horler, UK Urban Agritech

Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is a broad range of technologies and approaches for growing food indoors without soil - there is often a mistaken perception that CEA has to be a self-contained unit and process. But actually CEA can be used in a variety of ways which can both integrate with and offer benefits to wider farming and agriculture. In this session, Mark will give an overview of these potential other ways of utilising these systems, and what they could mean for wider food-producing systems.