THE LATEST in hi-tech solutions for the arable industry will be on display at the forthcoming CropTec event, being held at the East of England Showground, Peterborough, on November 29 and 30.

More than 140 exhibitors will show off their wares and there will also be an information-packed seminar programme by leading specialists.

Building on three successful years, the show promises to be the biggest and most relevant yet, said Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group head of events at show organiser, Briefing Media Agriculture.

“CropTec provides farmers with a unique opportunity to find ideas, inspiration and answers on everything from crop protection and nutrition to plant breeding and soil management in one place,” she said.

“But it is very much a two-way process – CropTec is all about knowledge exchange, creating the ideal forum for visitors, exhibitors and researchers to swap ideas and experiences for their mutual benefit.”

The event is free for visitors to attend, provided tickets are booked in advance from www.croptecshow.com

CropTec seminars – More than 20 speakers will cover four key areas – crop breeding, crop protection, crop nutrition and crop establishment.

Exhibition halls – Around 140 leading suppliers of the latest agronomy developments, innovative technology and services are on hand to discuss these advances.

Knowledge hubs – Two new hubs on grain marketing/storage, and black-grass, will feature, as well as a return for the popular spraying technology and business hubs.

Sprayer demos – An exclusive opportunity to test drive the latest sprayers in the market from leading manufacturers.

Points – A maximum of six BASIS and six NRoSO points per day are on offer.

Seminar programme:

Crop establishment

Session chair: Herts farmer, Andrew Watts

Soil organic matter – the root to profitability, with Andy Whitmore, Rothamsted Research

Controlled traffic farming – with Tom Hawthorne, Flawborough Farms, Lincs

Taking the risk out of oilseed rape – led by Andrew Blazey, Prime Agriculture

Crop nutrition

Session chair: Mark Tucker, Yara UK

Where next with crop nutrition? Day 1: Sarah Clarke, ADAS Day 2: Susie Roques, ADAS.

Nutrient issues – learning from the big dataset, Jonathan Telfer, Yara Analytical Services; and Nutrient management – measuring to manage and apply, a farmer’s view with Ian Rudge, Bedfordia Farms

Crop protection

Session chair: Andrew Ward, Lincolnshire farmer

Forces for change – Crop protection ‘think tank’ panel, with

Bill Clark, NIAB TAG; Guy Gagen, NFU; Jon Knight, AHDB; Simon Leak, Belchim Crop Protection; James Taylor, Newcastle University.

Crop breeding

Session chair: Susannah Bolton, AHDB Cereals and Oilseeds.

Risk-proofing the rotation – with Will Gemmill, Strutt and Parker

High hopes for hybrid wheat – Bill Angus, independent wheat consultant

New breeding technologies – Helen Sang, Roslin Institute