Agri-EPI Centre, a leading agricultural technology organization in the UK, recently hosted a delegation from Canada on an innovation tour of the country. The aim of the tour, known as the Smart Farm tour, was to showcase the latest agri-tech being developed and implemented across commercial farms in the United Kingdom. The delegation, which consisted of representatives from Olds College of Agriculture and Technology, Lakeland College Canada, and the Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network, covered over 1,000 miles in just four days.
The tour kicked off in Scotland, where the delegation visited the Northern Agri-Tech Innovation Hub. Here, they had the opportunity to meet with Agri-EPI Centre staff and agri-tech companies such as Beta Bugs, Rhizocore Technologies, and Crover. The group then visited Bowhill Farm in Selkirk, Scotland, which is part of the wider Duke of Buccleuch’s estate. The visit to Bowhill Farm allowed the delegation to see firsthand how agri-tech is being incorporated into day-to-day business operations to support the future of agriculture.
Next, the delegation traveled to the Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub in Shropshire. They were given a tour of the facilities and engineering workshop space by Les Hurdiss, the Hub’s Operational Manager. Rebecca Lewis, Head of New Business at Agri-EPI, also gave talks about the wider support and funding landscape. The morning concluded with a visit to the Dairy Research Facility at Harper Adams University, followed by an afternoon in Wales at Beacons National Park to showcase Newton Farm, one of Agri-EPI’s innovation farms.
The final day of the Smart Farm tour focused on showcasing technology capabilities for increasing productivity and efficiency in farming. The delegation visited Godminster Farm in Somerset, where they were led on a tour by Peter Cheek, a manager at the farm. They also visited Agri-EPI’s Southwest Dairy Development Centre, where they saw firsthand the technology and its capabilities in supporting sustainable, efficient, high welfare, and cost-efficient milk production.
Wendy Hewitson, Agri-EPI’s Academic Partnership Manager, expressed her excitement about hosting the Pan-Canadian Smart Farm delegation. She highlighted the importance of showcasing not only the agri-tech innovation hubs and SMEs supported by Agri-EPI but also the network of commercial farms that play an integral part in the organization’s ecosystem. Hewitson emphasized the collaborative approach taken by Agri-EPI and its commitment to working closely with stakeholders globally to address the challenges faced by the farming sector.
The Smart Farm tour provided the Canadian delegation with valuable insights into the latest agri-tech developments in the UK. By visiting various farms and innovation hubs, they were able to see firsthand how technology is being integrated into agriculture to drive efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. The tour also highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing between countries to address the common challenges faced by the farming industry.
Overall, the Smart Farm tour was a success in showcasing the cutting-edge agri-tech solutions being developed and implemented in the UK. By fostering international partnerships and collaboration, organizations like Agri-EPI are driving innovation and supporting the future of agriculture on a global scale.