Our Tech Farmer magazines aim to bring the most interesting technology content from the UK and the rest of the world to you.
Modern agriculture incorporates a diverse range of technologies to enhance productivity, sustainability and efficiency. Precision farming, utilising GPS technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), enables accurate mapping of fields and optimised navigation for farming equipment. Advanced farm management software driven by data analytics and decision support systems, empowers farmers with insights into crop performance and resource allocation. New fungicide and spraying technologies have the ability to reduce the amount of inputs we use while increasing the yields from the crops we grow. At the same time, new varieties are coming to the market all the time and genetic editing (coupled with artificial intelligence) could see step changes in productivity.
Smart equipment, such as precision planting and harvesting machinery, leverages automation and sensor technologies for precise and efficient operations. The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a pivotal role, with sensor networks providing real-time data on soil conditions and smart irrigation systems optimizing water usage. Biotechnology, including genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and CRISPR technology, contributes to crops with enhanced traits. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) aid in aerial imaging, pest detection, and targeted application of pesticides. Blockchain technology ensures supply chain traceability, while innovations like vertical farming and hydroponics offer controlled environments for year-round crop production. We expect to see AI change the way varieties are bred and the speed with which we see new technology to the market.
Collectively, these technologies form the building blocks of how of modern agriculture will evolve, promoting profitability, sustainability, productivity and the responsible use of resources.
Latest Tech Farmer Content
Ag Tech Has a Problem
There is a common saying around the industry that “Farmers are slow to adopt technology.”…
Parsnip Pioneers: the world’s first autonomously grown parsnip crop
Huntapac’s parsnip crop, grown without human machinery operation, used Skippy Scout drone monitoring operated by…
New genomic technologies flex their potential
Billions are being invested in gene editing globally, but what innovations will that investment deliver?…
New technology connecting the lab to the field
Drone technology is unlocking the potential of traditional crop trials and helping to bridge the…
Farmer and scientist collaboration helps to unearth soil secrets
Farmers and scientists working on the TRUTH Project have revealed some intriguing findings from their…
A ‘big revolution’ in nitrogen management
Witten by Clemmie Gleeson from BOFIN Could hyperspectral imaging revolutionise nitrogen management in agriculture? Clemmie…
Nuffield Recommendations for ‘AgTech’ entrepreneurship and development
Yorkshire entrepreneur Hannah Senior NSch has published her Nuffield Farming report ‘Innovating AgTech Entrepreneurship’, sponsored…
Artificial intelligence is speeding up the development of the next generation of Biostimulants
Written by Syngenta Syngenta Crop Protection and TraitSeq announce a pioneering collaboration which could help…
New sequenced genome sheds light on weed resistance
Written by the Earlham Institute Genomic advances reveal how similar weeds can dominate wheat fields…
Issue 29 Contents
Found In: Inside this issue: Step or Incremental Change: A Strategic Decision Can Tech save…
Step or Incremental Change: A Strategic Decision
When many people think about technology in farming, they envisage the big step changes such…
Can Tech save Carbon from a crisis?
Tom Allen-Stevens travels forward to 2030 and looks for the farmers who would emerge strengthened…
Harnessing the power of the sun
Farming in a greener way generally involves increasing efficiencies in pursuit of the goal for…
A Revolution in Bio-Positive Agriculture
In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, farmers and agricultural professionals are always looking for innovative solutions…
Living up to the SFI and its actions
The SFI offers financial payments to those who adopt variable rate applications, but demonstrating compliance…
Using Farm Tech to Maximise and Manage the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Opportunity
With harvest wrapping up and the new farming season underway, many farmers are turning their…
In pursuit of pixel perfect
Although artificial intelligence can help achieve wondrous things, it’s only as good as the information…
Agronomist in Focus – Simon Francis
New ‘boots-on-the-ground’ precision farming service A new service makes the benefits of precision farming accessible…
We can benefit from innovation
Our production systems must become more resilient in order to combine productivity, climate protection and…
First look: Innovations that might be on your farm
Around 2,500 delegates attended the World AgriTech Innovation Summit in San Francisco in March. Mike…
Ensure Your No-Till Vision is 20/20 with Precision Technology
By Erin Hightower agronomist for RDO Equipment Company Recently, I visited my optometrist for an annual eye…
Learning about machine learning
Written by Chris Fellows Earlier this year, I attended an event in Bury, put on…
Leveraging NDVI for Sustainable Land Management: Enhancing Natural Capital for Farmers and Landowners
Effectively managing natural capital is crucial for optimising land use, conserving soil health, preserving water…
Safety and stewardship with closed transfer systems
By Nick Badger, Frontier Agriculture Modern sprayers are managed by advanced computer systems, equipped with…
Digital Technology Farm Network explores data-driven ‘fields of the future’
Which digital technologies hold the most commercial value for UK farms and how can they…
Patents – how to make them work for you
Farmers are no strangers to innovation. For generations new ways have been found to improve…
Data driven sheep management
A change in circumstances meant Herefordshire-based mixed farmer, William Cawley, had to reassess his system…
Unleashing the Potential of Agri-Tech
Written by Chris Fellows In the realm of agriculture, a technological revolution is underway, reshaping…
Sustainability and Technology Magazine Sponsor
Lloyds Bank are headline sponsor of Direct Driller Technology Magazines. Supporting our aim to help UK farmers adopt more technology and become more sustainable. Creating a unique free resource for farmers during their transition from BPS to the new SFI schemes. Our technology and sustainability editions would not have happened without the support of Lloyds Bank.