“The solution to increasing and managing productivity is needed now more than ever,” said Davina Fillingham, as she formally opened Agri-Tech Expo North at the Great Yorkshire Showground.
Davina, convenor of the precision agriculture special interest group Agri-Sense, hosted the Expo at The Pavilions at The Great Yorkshire Events Centre on Tuesday 25th February 2025, with the backing of a steering committee (pictured below) supported by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and its Farmer Scientist Network.
One-stop shop window for innovative tech
This maiden event brought together all the latest precision agriculture technology, making for a unique showcase of tech which is very much at the fore of the so-called ‘fourth agricultural revolution’, as new digital technologies drive efficiencies on farms.
Davina told delegates that she believed precision agriculture – a topic she is passionate about as a Nuffield Scholar in this exciting and evolving field – has enormous potential to drive farm business decisions so that the industry can navigate environmental and political challenges.
There are some really big changes that we are going to have to face. They ( the Government) are really looking to technology to make changes that allow us to make the same amount of food but with less land.
She said that more details were expected to be announced by the Government soon on new funding opportunities.
Launching in the spring, the ADOPT funding programme will “support collaborative farmer-led, on-farm trials or experiments to generate, test and demonstrate innovative solutions to farming challenges”.
Driving mainstream interest
While some farm businesses have embraced precision agriculture, others have so far been hesitant or reluctant, Davina said, with research indicating that typical barriers to engagement are that new technologies can be perceived as “not relevant, too expensive and too complicated to use”.
Davina said “these are the myths that we want to try and bust as much as possible”, and added that she hoped events like the Expo helped to breakdown the barriers to investment.
Wide-ranging digital innovations showcased
Visitors to Agri-Tech Expo North benefited from getting a close up look at ground-breaking digital solutions, all in one place, with experts on hand to explain game-changing digital apps, software and technology.
Among the tech at the Expo
VetDx whose software solution facilitates the easy collection of samples required for infectious disease screening within the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway:
Ag-Drive, an all-in-one app for agricultural contractors:
SoilEssentials’ Skai Sprayer:
With thanks to all Agri-Tech Expo North exhibitors: CLAAS, CSX Carbon, John Deere/Ripon Farm Services, Opti Gene Ltd, Manterra, Newcastle University, NIAB, NFU, SoilEssentials, Soil Benchmark, Soyl, Russell’s and VetDX.
This event has been supported by project funding from The UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Grow Yorkshire and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
