At the Hutchinsons’ Connected Farming Technology Conference in Peterborough, a new report shedding light on the digital transformation in UK farming was unveiled. Head of marketing, Nick Rainsley, emphasized the importance of this extensive research, which aimed to gauge the current state of farmers’ digital journeys, identify key challenges, and foster discussion within the agricultural community. The survey encompassed 200 growers and farms, all exceeding 100 hectares, focusing on those engaged in arable farming or mixed operations. Participants were categorized as early adopters, results-oriented, or cautious in their approach to digital technology.
Rainsley highlighted the significant role that digital advancements are poised to play in the future of farming. He noted that half of the farms surveyed acknowledged the increasing importance of digital technology, a sentiment that rose to nearly two-thirds among larger farms. A substantial majority expressed that data-driven decision-making would be vital moving forward, with nearly two-thirds rating its importance at six or more out of ten.
The findings revealed that climate change and weather-related challenges are at the forefront of farmers’ concerns, with 72 percent identifying these issues as the most pressing. However, high input costs, fluctuating end market prices, and overall farm profitability were also significant challenges, influencing the motivations behind adopting digital tools. Farmers cited cost savings, yield improvements, and operational efficiency as primary reasons for integrating technology into their practices.
The survey indicated that 76 percent of respondents are currently using auto-steer technology, while around 40 percent have adopted variable-rate technology for fertilizer applications and seed drilling. A smaller segment, 21 percent, reported using variable-rate applications for spraying. Additionally, over a third of participants utilized digital technology for soil management, environmental and carbon accounting, disease monitoring, and record-keeping.
Rainsley noted the growing necessity for farmers to comply with environmental regulations and produce sustainably, which digital tools can help facilitate. Despite the long-standing availability of these technologies, their adoption is gaining momentum, driven by environmental concerns and economic pressures.
Barriers to adoption were also addressed in the report, with cost and return on investment emerging as significant issues. Larger farms particularly faced challenges related to the integration of different software solutions, indicating that these businesses are often interested in utilizing a wider array of digital tools. Rainsley pointed out that over a quarter of respondents viewed solution integration as a key requirement for the future.
Encouragingly, 77 percent of farmers rated their confidence in using digital technology as five or above on a ten-point scale. Rainsley suggested that the pandemic may have played a role in boosting confidence levels among farmers. However, he cautioned that nearly a third of respondents felt inadequately informed about available technologies, while about 20 percent cited a lack of time, training, or technical support as barriers to adoption.
The report also highlighted variances among different groups, with early adopters exhibiting greater enthusiasm for digital technology. Staffing challenges appeared more pronounced in larger farms, which prioritized work and resource planning as key areas for digital improvement.
This research not only underscores the growing recognition of digital technology’s potential within the agricultural sector but also reveals the pressing need for ongoing support, education, and integration solutions to ensure that all farmers can fully embrace the digital future.
