Author name: Direct Driller

Variable Rate Application: The Economic and Agronomic Edge for Modern Spraying

Tech Farmer, Technology / By

As the pressures on agriculture mount—from climate instability to rising input costs—farmers are increasingly turning to smarter, more sustainable technologies to protect both yields and margins. Among the most promising of these is Variable Rate Application (VRA), a precision farming approach revolutionising how crop inputs are managed. With its ability to fine-tune inputs like fertilisers, …

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New Standard for On-Farm Autonomy and Laser Weeding

Artificial Intelligence, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

As farms across the UK grapple with mounting labour shortages, rising input costs, and tighter sustainability expectations, automation is becoming less of a novelty and more of a necessity. Leading the charge is US-based agri-tech firm Carbon Robotics, whose latest developments in autonomous tractor control and laser-based weeding solutions are rapidly redefining how arable operations …

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Drones for Spraying Pesticides—Opportunities and Challenges

Artificial Intelligence, Farm Trial Results, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

Erdal Ozkan; Professor and Extension State Specialist—Pesticide Application Technology; Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; The Ohio State University Direct Driller Note – this is the most comprehensive guide to different types of drone spraying and although is written in the US, they are also significantly ahead of the UK in terms of adoption …

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More Farmers Are Adopting John Deere’s See & Spray in the USA. Here’s Why…

Artificial Intelligence, Farm Trial Results, Products in Focus, Tech Farmer / By

John Deere See & Spray uses AI machine learning and computer vision to identify weeds during each pass precisely. Early adopters in the US of See & Spray say they’ve increased savings, reduced herbicides and reached ROI faster than expected. Which is rare in the ag tech sector. Farmers know spraying applications can vary from …

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Farming for Nutrition: How Soil Health Shapes the Food We Eat

Research, Soils Farmer / By

Written by Dr. Hannah Fraser As a farmer and a medical doctor, I get to witness the intersection of agriculture, human health, and nutrition. My husband and I are organic farmers in Yorkshire, where we grow heritage and diverse population wheats, and have a keen focus on improving soil health and biodiversity. Our journey into …

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Unlocking the power of genomics: What it means for farmers

Products in Focus, Soils Farmer / By

Biostimulants are becoming a staple in agriculture, enabling growers to boost crop health, resilience, and yields in a cost-effective way. Until now, farmers and agronomists have assessed the efficacy of these products through phenotypic observations – measuring visible changes such as larger root systems, greener leaves, or improved overall plant vigour. While this approach has …

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UK National Action Plan Overlooks Biologicals – WBF Urges Regulatory Reform

Research, Soils Farmer / By

The UK Government’s revised National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides (2025) was published to reduce pesticide risk and promote more sustainable crop protection practices. However, for the World BioProtection Forum (WBF)—the voice of the biologicals industry—this plan represents a critical missed opportunity. While the NAP recognises Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as …

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New living mulches guide to help boost soil health and farm resilience

Farm Trial Results, Research, Soils Farmer / By

Farmers looking to enhance soil health, increase resilience, and improve sustainability now have a powerful resource at their fingertips. The newly released Agricology Living Mulches Technical Guide provides clear, practical advice on implementing living mulch strategies that deliver tangible benefits across farms of all sizes. Living mulches are semi-permanent legume understories sown beneath cereal crops …

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Pasture for life growing on many fronts

Farm Trial Results, Livestock on Farm, Soils Farmer / By

Pasture for Life, which champions the restorative power of grazing animals, continues to go from strength to strength with ambitious targets of hitting 5,000 members farming one million hectares by 2029. Last year saw 208 events delivered and 93 farmers trained as grazing mentors helping 166 mentees. There was activity across England, Scotland and Wales, …

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