The UK’s AI revolution is sweeping through various sectors, and agriculture is the latest to benefit from this technological wave. In the heart of the countryside, on the border between Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, Overbury Estate is at the forefront of this transformation. The estate, spanning over 1,500 hectares, has a rich history of sustainable farming and is now embracing modern technology to enhance its operations.
Virgin Media O2 invited TechRadar Pro to witness firsthand how 5G, AI, and other connected technologies are revolutionizing farming techniques and connectivity at Overbury. The farm is home to a variety of crops, including wheat, barley, beans, and grass, all of which are now being managed with the help of cutting-edge tech.
One of the latest developments at Overbury is a partnership between Virgin Media O2 and the River Severn Advanced Wireless Innovation Region (RSPAWIR). Together, they are trialing 5G private networks in agriculture, aiming to improve efficiency, animal welfare, and reduce environmental impact. This technology is not just about connectivity; it’s about creating a smarter, more sustainable farming ecosystem.
Overbury is already equipped with an array of innovative tools, such as sensors for water troughs, IoT-enabled weather prediction software, and tractor cameras that analyze crops. However, the backbone of these technologies is the farm’s robust connectivity. Despite being in a notoriously poorly-connected area, Overbury’s new 5G solutions allow it to run a private network of devices, ensuring seamless operation and data collection.
Stephen Sargood, Principal Architect of 5G Private Networks at O2 Business, explains the dual 4G and 5G technology used at Overbury. This setup allows for a variety of sensors to operate efficiently, taking the guesswork out of farming. The connectivity as a service model means that farm manager Jake Freestone doesn’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from these advancements. This is crucial, as one of the key barriers for farmers adopting new technologies is the lack of digital skills among staff.
Andres Cruz Gordon, Business Development Director of 5G Private Networks at Virgin Media O2, emphasizes the importance of simplifying technology adoption for farmers. By managing the complexity on their behalf, Virgin Media O2 enables farmers to focus on what they do best—farming. The data collected from these sensors and devices can help predict and protect against diseases, optimize pesticide use, and even analyze crop health through app-based image recognition.
The sensors at Overbury are primarily powered by solar panels, making the project scalable and energy-efficient. This real-time data collection allows the farm to experiment with different solutions and variables, gaining a deeper understanding of climate change impacts on crops and animals. For instance, one of the installed solutions can predict disease outbreaks across various crops, combining this information with weather data to determine the best time for intervention.
But the tech revolution at Overbury doesn’t stop at sensors. New app developments allow farm hands to upload pictures of plants and crops for analysis. This data helps determine biomass index, leaf count, weight, and nitrogen levels, enabling precise planting strategies tailored to specific soil and climate types. This precision farming approach emphasizes environmental practices, ensuring techniques remain as natural as possible.
Freestone, the farm manager, sees a future where automated tractors and skilled technicians become the norm. While he doesn’t foresee immediate changes in staffing levels, he acknowledges that roles will evolve into more tech-based positions over time. The successes at Overbury are not just local; they have the potential to echo throughout the agriculture industry, benefiting businesses across the country.
As the UK continues its AI revolution, farms like Overbury are leading the way, demonstrating how technology can enhance sustainability, efficiency, and productivity. The data and techniques developed at Overbury could very well become the blueprint for the future of farming, proving that tradition and innovation can go hand in hand.