Innovation Zone at the 166th Great Yorkshire Show
What to expect
The Innovation Zone is organised and hosted by the Farmer Scientist Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and is back at the Great Yorkshire Show for a third year.
Incorporating the GYS Innovation Awards and a daily series of talks, the Innovation Zone is a showcase of the latest tech and research shaping the industry.
Here we highlight what’s on offer in this forward-thinking area of the Show.
Soil Doctor
Get an expert analysis from the Regenerative Agriculture soil scientists of a soil sample from your farm (arable or grassland) at the Innovation Zone.
Farmers are welcome to bring a piece of soil about the size of a medium-sized coffee cup, dug as a block from 0-10 cm deep (or deeper if you think you may have compaction).
This is a great opportunity to learn how to look for good soil markers and discuss soil health on your farm.
Please drop off your soil samples with a label noting how the land has been managed, in a plastic bag or container to Holly Jones, Farmer Scientist Network Coordinator, or the team from the University of Leeds and University of Sheffield in the Innovation Zone (Map Grid Ref: E7) and book a time slot on the day to discuss.
Contact hollyj@yas.co.uk if you want to drop off a soil sample in advance of the Show.
Innovation Zone Stage
This year the Innovation Zone will deliver a series of short talks on each day of the Show.
Below is the full timetable – please follow the links to register your place at any of the talks.
11am-11.45am
Precision Agriculture – Driving Farmer-Led Innovation
Register your place here
Chaired by Davina Fillingham, Convenor, Precision Ag Special Interest Group, this panel will explore how Precision Agriculture is evolving to meet the real-world needs of UK farmers, with insights drawn from the recent UK Agri-Tech Centre report ‘Innovation and Technology: The Farmers’ Perspective‘.
The discussion will examine practical applications, adoption barriers, and the role of data and digital tools in driving sustainable, efficient farming.
Key themes:
- Overview of innovation trends and report findings including opportunities for farmers with the new ADOPT Fund
- Practical applications and lessons from the field
- Farmer-led innovation and on-farm experience
Thomas Slattery, Technical Marketing Manager, UK Agri-Tech Centre said:
Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme ADOPT fund is an incredible opportunity to drive forward much wanted and needed farmer-led and on-farm innovation and experimentation at a time when UK farming needs it most.
12.30pm-1.15pm
Regenerative Agriculture – Soil Health, Innovation and Farmer Collaboration
Register your place here
Chaired by Dr Ruth Wade, University of Leeds, this panel will explore the critical role of regenerative agriculture in restoring and maintaining soil health, with a special focus on new methods for monitoring soil biodiversity.
The session also draws on global perspectives and on-farm experience to explore what drives farmer adoption of sustainable soil practices.
Key themes:
- eDNA and the earthworm biodiversity monitoring under regenerative agriculture.
- Practical applications of regenerative practices and soil health insights.
- What motivates farmers to adopt sustainable practices: Lessons from Australia and the role of collaboration.
- Spearheading food and farming innovation through regenerative design.
2.30pm-3.30pm
GYS Innovation Awards Ceremony
Register your place here
Celebrating the latest breakthroughs in agriculture, tech and machinery, at the Innovation Zone, this year’s finalists include: Aquapulse Technology, Delaval, FYTO ltd, Triolet, Paul-Tech Ltd, and Soil Benchmark alongside our nominees for the On-Farm Early Adopter of the Year Award.
Come support innovation, network with industry leaders, and enjoy a memorable moment in the heart of the Great Yorkshire Show.
We look forward to seeing you there!
4pm-6pm
The Farmer Scientist Network Summer Social
Register your place here
In collaboration with Yorkshire’s Precision Ag Special Interest Group, join us for a keynote by Professor Peter Jackson, a leading voice in human geography and sustainable food systems.
As co-Director of the Institute for Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield, Peter leads the ground-breaking H3 project: Healthy soil, Healthy food, Healthy people.
With decades of research on food, families, and consumer behaviour, he offers deep insights into the future of food.
His acclaimed books and advisory roles with the FSA and Defra place him at the heart of UK food policy.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from a pioneer shaping healthier, more resilient food systems.
With thanks to our sponsors, Barclays.
10.30am-11.30am
Royal Agricultural Society of England – Boosting On-farm Renewables (Innovation Zone talk)
Register your place here
Explore the options for replacing fossil power and fuel on farms, bearing in mind the limited scope for grid-based electrification on farms, given rural capacity issues and limited scope for electric vehicles on farms.
Key themes:
- Energy awareness on farms was highlighted as an issue in the recent Gas Fuels Report for NGN and supporting farmers with energy use.
- The electrification challenge with a focus on rural grid issues and farm fuel choices must reflect operational issues.
- The future role of hydrogen and current on-farm biogas production.
Alan Taylor, Director, Research Energy Ltd said:
Whilst electrification of transport and processing equipment often has significant advantages in terms of energy efficiency and control of emissions, it is by no means the answer to all energy needs.
No where more so than on farm, where practical concerns such as battery technology, grid constraints, reliability and lifetime costs need to be considered along with other low carbon technologies.
12.30pm-1.15pm
Future Farmers of Yorkshire Mentorship Gathering at the Innovation Zone
Invite only
2.30pm-3.30pm
Future Fuels and Powertrains
Register your place here
The Royal Agricultural Society for England will present the Northern Gas Networks Hydrogen Fuels Report and explore future activity on the transition of farm fuel use away from fossil fuels in the next decade.
Key themes:
- What are the future fuel and powertrain options for farm vehicles?
- With a range of fuels and powertrain options available how will this impact on future diesel replacement?
- Development of Gas Tractors
- Getting Momentum Behind Alternative Rural Fuels
Nick McCarthy, Technical Specialist, Cenex said:
The push for net zero remains a global ambition, and all original equipment manufacturers are developing strategies to continue to deliver products and services to their customers, no matter what happens to global diesel markets between now and 2050.
My presentation will give you some insight into the front-running technologies for this upcoming transition to low and zero-emission fuels.
3.30pm-4pm
Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Goodall Pathfinders Roundtable
Invite only
4pm-6pm
Summer Social with the Royal Agricultural Society of England
For further details, please contact christinek@rase.org.uk
10.30am-11.30am
From Pasture to Performance – Sustainable Solutions in Sheep Health
Register your place here
Chaired by Dr Dave George, Chair, Farmer Scientist Network
The panel will look at how nutritional strategies, particularly diverse forage systems and herbal leys, can contribute to healthier flocks, improved worm management and climate resilience, with the Herbal Leys and Diverse Swards network.
Key themes:
- Farmer-led experience in managing sheep health and nutrition in challenging environments.
- Current findings from the WARS project and sustainable parasite control in practice.
- Role of diverse swards and forage management in sheep health and nutrition.
12.30pm-1.15pm
Innovations in Cattle Health and Nutrition – From Research to Rearing
Register your place here
Chaired by Dr Dave George, Chair, Farmer Scientist Network, the panel will cover cutting-edge technologies close to market, including smart collars, AI monitoring, boluses, and feed additives, focusing on their practical applications, benefits, and limitations.
Key themes include:
- Innovations in livestock tech and what’s coming next for calf rearers.
- Unlocking the value of milk data for herd health and performance.
- Rapid diagnostics, RapiPath and antimicrobial stewardship in mastitis control.
- Oxygen nanobubbles and the future of water-enhanced cattle performance.
2.30pm-3.15pm
APR Reform & The law of Unintended Consequences
Register your place here
This Question Time-style session, hosted by the Rural Policy Group, explores the far-reaching implications of Agricultural Property Relief (APR) reform.
Chaired by Mark Lumsden-Taylor, Chairman, Rural Policy Group, panellists include Allie Renison of SEC Newgate, Ollie Harrison, Farmer and Entrepreneur, Louise Manning of Lincoln Institute of Agri-Food Technology.
4pm-6pm
Summer Social with the Women in Farming Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society
Full details and to register to attend
Featuring special guest, Nuffield Scholar and Cumbria mental health nurse, Lucia Slack in conversation with Sally Conner, RABI Regional Manager – North East.
The topic will be ‘The Quiet Strength Behind the Farm’.
11am-12pm
Innovation in Practice – Future-proofing Agriculture
Register your place here
Chaired by Dr Dave George, Chair, Farmer Scientist Network, this panel will explore how agricultural innovation, research and skills development are converging to future-proof farming for a sustainable, carbon-conscious future.
- Sharon Kirby, Higher Education Academic Lead at Bishop Burton College, will share the college’s journey toward carbon net zero by 2030. In partnership with the Yorkshire & Humber Institute of Technology (YHIOT), Bishop Burton has invested in a £1.7m Centre for Precision Agriculture.
- Stephen Evans, Animal Feed Specialist at Harper Adams University, will present new research from the National Institute of Poultry Husbandry on the use of hybrid rye in broiler chicken diets.
- Ruth Peterson from The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture (TIAH) will address the critical need for skilled people to support the adoption of these emerging technologies.
