Farm491's AgriTech Season concluded with a successful two-day showcase event: AgriTech and the Future of British Farming.

Farm491, the agritech incubation hub at the Royal Agricultural University (RAU), has been coordinating a series of events for its AgriTech Season.

Attendees with a close connection to agritech took part in the event, focused on how new technologies can respond to specific farm challenges and agricultural sustainability.

Commercial tech showcases, industry debates and exciting on-farm demonstrations all formed part of the event, along with Farm491 members such as LettUs Grow and Breedr, and external exhibitors, such as Small Robot Company and Ice Robotics.

Interactive discussion groups created thought-provoking debates on the role of technology in current issues, such as combating pesticide resistance, adding value to farm data, future livestock management and novel growing systems such as hydroponics. The sessions also sought to understand farmer views and expectations on current developments in agritech.

Sarah Carr, from Farm491, said: "A core outcome from our discussion groups during the showcase was that we all need to stop working in silos and instead collaborate wherever we can. Ultimately there needs to be multidisciplinary knowledge exchange to benefit the agricultural industry. The showcase highlighted this, with attendees visiting from all sectors, including farmers, agricultural engineers, agronomists, lawyers and those working in the food supply chain."

Dr Karen Rial-Lovera, RAU lecturer in agricultural engineering and technology, said: "One of the biggest challenges is to understand the opportunities and benefits that new innovation and technologies can bring to the farm. The two-day event brought together a range of people from the industry to share knowledge and insight on the essential role that new technologies has to play to improve and further promote profitability, productivity and environmental protection in agriculture. From robots and drones, data management and analytic software, thermal cameras and movement sensors to aeroponics - these innovations showed at the event are making an incredible contribution to our fast-changing industry."

Flo Giles, a final year student studying BSc (Hons) Agriculture, said: "I wasn't aware of how much technology there is coming forward and already present in the agricultural industry. It was an eye opener and needs to be encouraged more within the industry. I have managed to incorporate some of the information in one of my final year subjects at the Royal Agricultural University."