MANY FARMERS would like to invest in new agri-tech – but are being put off doing so by their lack of knowledge.

In a survey conducted by NFU Mutual to accompany its 2022 Agri-tech Report, just under half of farmers responding (46.9%) said that they consider using autonomous agricultural vehicles on their farm, but almost as many (46.2%) of respondents said that they didn't know enough about the new technologies to take that risk.

The Mutual's Charlie Yorke said: “Technology is set to revolutionise farming, increase productivity and help move UK agriculture towards its goal of being carbon neutral by 2040.

“While many farmers are open to using technology, lack of understanding of new technologies and the investment they entail, means they are hesitating to take the plunge. Understandably, there’s a real fear amongst farmers that they could make the wrong tech-choice for their farm and end up with an expensive system that becomes outdated quickly.

Read more: Stock Farms

“To make the right investment, farmers need to work closely with system suppliers, leading agricultural colleges, and other farmers to make sure they make the best decisions for their business," advised Mr Yorke. “Holding back runs the risk of falling behind as global competition increases and UK farming support changes.”

Ali Capper, an NFU Mutual Non-Executive Director and agri-tech pioneer at Stocks Farm on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border, highlighted the environmental benefits of using innovation. She said: “We must all have the climate change agenda at the heart of what we do and the decisions we make.

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“The good news is that many agri-tech innovations will help us to be kinder to the farmed environment as well as more efficient and profitable. To achieve long-term sustainability and reduce fossil fuel use, at Stocks Farm we have adopted a whole-of-farm approach to growing, pest control, and picking automation.”

https://www.locaji.co.uk/worcestershire/worcester/stocks-farm/335767/

The Mutual's advice to farmers contemplating agri-tech investment is:

  • Review the farm’s long-term strategy and then identify how technology and the use of detailed data could help you achieve your goals;
  • Explore technology systems which integrate not only with your farm’s activities but also your supply chain;
  • Keep up to date with developments and ensure you have the management skills to adopt technology and successfully master the opportunities;
  • Consider working with other farms, as cooperation can help achieve economies of scale both in the use of new technology and the adoption of farmer-friendly supply chains;
  • Understand the potential risks and knock-on effects that new technology can cause and the solutions to mitigate these.

The NFU Mutual Agri-tech Report covers the latest agri-tech developments from poultry house automation, vertical farming, and non-fossil fuel use, to robotic tractor developments, and offers insight, expert views and case studies to help farmers explore opportunities for the future.

The report can be downloaded from NFU Mutual’s website: https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/campaigns/agri-tech-report/