SCOTTISH FARMERS’ top priority over the next 12 months will be recruiting the right skills and talent to help them adapt to the latest advances in agri-technology – at least, that is the conclusion of new research commissioned by burger restaurant chain McDonald’s UK.

The study, conducted by the National Farm Research Unit, found that 89% of Scottish farmers now believe recruiting tech-friendly staff is the key to making the UK farming industry globally competitive.

Over half – 57% – believed that emerging technology will impact their business over the next five years, requiring a new set of skills and talent. Asked which skills they thought the industry would need more access to in five years’ time, 82% of farmers said digital and technology skills, 74% said business skills and two thirds – 63% – said data analytics and coding.

The NFRU research suggested that farmers in Scotland were excited by these emerging opportunities to harness the latest tech advances. Half of of the farmer respondents (48%) said they were looking to use or are already using satellite mapping, while 41% said had employed precision farming techniques which use sensors and GPS controlled machinery to ensure crops and livestock get exactly what they need. Around a third said the same of big data analytics (39%) and remote sensing technology (28%) that takes real-time measurements on crop height and weather conditions. A further third voiced enthusiasm for drone technology (39%) and robotics (28%).

Farm manager Andrew Francis, of McDonald’s potato supplier Elveden Farm Estate, said: “We’re using drones and GPS guidance to improve the timing and accuracy when we apply fertiliser to our crops. This increases yields, reduces waste and keeps both our carbon and water footprint at optimal levels for efficient food production.

"Technology skills are increasingly important as more of our monitoring, application machinery and grading equipment is digitally operated. We see the best results when we have people in place who understand technology and how to apply it.”

The research also suggested that more farmers are looking to other sectors to help bridge the skills gap. 64% said attracting this talent from outside the industry was a key priority and 14% said they expected to increase the number of people they recruit from non-farming backgrounds over the next five years.

As one of the biggest customers of British agriculture, McDonald’s said it had commissioned the ongoing Farm Forward Barometer to ask farmers their views on the challenges and opportunities facing them today. This first set of findings marks the five-year anniversary of McDonald’s Farm Forward programme, its long-term commitment to support UK farming, and the expansion of its Progressive Young Farmer Training Programme.

That training scheme, which has doubled in size since 2012, encourages young people from all backgrounds to consider a future in agriculture. Students on the programme develop the mix of skills to succeed in the modern farming sector by spending a year working in every part of the McDonald’s supply chain, from farm through to restaurant, and being mentored by some of the UK’s most progressive farmers and suppliers.

McDonald’s UK supply chain director Connor McVeigh said: “The farming industry is currently facing some big challenges but it’s encouraging to see that, despite this, farmers are being front-footed in their investment in technology and skills to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of producing great quality produce.

“As one of the biggest customers of British farming, we want to help the industry meet these challenges head on and thrive in future. That’s why we are continuing to support the industry through our Farm Forward programme and why, this year, we are opening our training programme to even more young farmers to help nurture the next generation and equip them with the right skills to tackle this dynamic and changing industry.”

Kaia Hillsmith, a student on McDonald’s 2017/18 Progressive Young Farmer Programme added: “The next generation of farmers have an important role to play in helping the industry to stay globally competitive. By embracing new technology and tapping into skills, such as digital, and finance skills, we can help farm businesses to grow. As I follow McDonald’s supply chain from field to restaurant, I look forward to learning how some of the UK’s most progressive farmers are putting this into practice.”