Research

Parsnip Pioneers: the world’s first autonomously grown parsnip crop

Farm Trial Results, Machinery, Research, Robotics, Tech Farmer / By

Huntapac’s parsnip crop, grown without human machinery operation, used Skippy Scout drone monitoring operated by Agrii’s technical experts in the world’s first instance of entirely autonomous vegetable agronomy and production. Huntapac, in collaboration with Autonomous Agri Solutions, AutoSpray Systems and Agrii, funded by the Marks and Spencer Plan A Accelerator Fund, successfully grew a crop …

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New genomic technologies flex their potential

Genetic Editing, Research, Tech Farmer / By

Billions are being invested in gene editing globally, but what innovations will that investment deliver? Tech Farmer visited the World AgriTech Innovation Summit to gain a global perspective on what it might deliver for UK farmers. Written by Mike Abram There’s been no shortage of global investment in gene editing, even if venture capital funding …

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Farmer and scientist collaboration helps to unearth soil secrets

Farm Trial Results, Research, Tech Farmer / By

Farmers and scientists working on the TRUTH Project have revealed some intriguing findings from their first year of working together. TRUTH (Thriving Roots Underpinning Total soil Health) is a three-year £1m project with twin aims of boosting productivity while improving soil health. The project is led by the British On-Farm Innovation Network (BOFIN) with four …

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Nuffield Recommendations for ‘AgTech’ entrepreneurship and development

Farm Trial Results, Research, Tech Farmer / By

Yorkshire entrepreneur Hannah Senior NSch has published her Nuffield Farming report ‘Innovating AgTech Entrepreneurship’, sponsored by the Elizabeth Creak Charitable Trust. The full report is now published and available on the Nuffield Farming report library. A recording of Hannah presenting at the Nuffield Farming Conference watch via the QR Code. During her Scholarship, Hannah travelled …

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New sequenced genome sheds light on weed resistance

Genetic Editing, Research, Tech Farmer, Technology / By

Written by the Earlham Institute Genomic advances reveal how similar weeds can dominate wheat fields that are geographically separated by over 5,000 miles. Two new Alopecurus genomes have been sequenced, providing important additions to the growing body of community resources for weed genomics. Access to the genomes for blackgrass and orange foxtail, sometimes called shortawn foxtail, will …

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Patents – how to make them work for you

Research, Tech Farmer, Technology / By

Farmers are no strangers to innovation. For generations new ways have been found to improve efficiency and productivity. Farming innovation has always been key to staying ahead. Protecting innovation in agriculture can be crucial to maintain an advantage, and perhaps more importantly, key to monetising or commercialising your ideas. Patents are one way in which …

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Mycorrhiza manipulation: nature vs nurture

Research / By

Mycorrhiza and specifically ‘arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi’ (AMF) and Ectomycorrhiza (EcM) are important symbiotic fungi involved in the successful growth of the vast majority of plant species across the world. We have previously discussed their roles and strategies impacting their activities in an introductory article. The following article aims to expand on this by discussing the …

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Restoring farmland biodiversity: The Allerton Project

Research / By

The Allerton Project, as a research and demonstration farm, has been in operation since 1992. We are, however, a part of the wider Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), a membership organisation who have been conducting conservation science to enhance the British countryside for over 90 years. Today, the GWCT’s Farmland Ecology Unit carries out …

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