Sustainable Farming - Agricultural Transition Plan DEFRA 2021-2024Sustainable Farming - Agricultural Transition Plan DEFRA 2021-2024

Agricultural transition plan

DEFRA announced changes to agricultural policy in England from 1 January 2021, moving away from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Read what this will mean for farmers, land managers and agri-tech companies.

Learn MoreGet In Touch
Agri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology | Glasshouse Phenotyping Platform | Postharvest StorageAgri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology | Glasshouse Phenotyping Platform | Postharvest Storage

Postharvest Storage Solutions

Central to our nutrition, today, the ability to extend the availability and seasons of perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetables, plays a key role and is an increasing challenge to food producers, processors and retailers.

Learn MoreGet In Touch
Agri-Tech Centres Event | 'Innovation for Food Resilience' | 19 November 2020Agri-Tech Centres Event | 'Innovation for Food Resilience' | 19 November 2020

Innovation for Food Resilience

More than 1200 delegates from over 20 countries worldwide attended a recent virtual conference from the UK’s 4 Centres of Agricultural Innovation. All recordings are now available on demand.

Watch recordingsGet In Touch
Crover grain robot deviceCrover grain robot device

Grain ‘swimming’ robot

Technology start-up Crover, Agri-EPI and East of Scotland Farmers have teamed up to develop the first robotic device to tackle global post-harvest grain losses.

Learn MoreGet In Touch
Saga Robotics and the Modular Robotic Platform ThorvaldSaga Robotics and the Modular Robotic Platform Thorvald

Soft fruit robotics

A large UK agri-food consortium has been formed to address agricultural labour shortages by accelerating the use of robotics and automation (R&A) for picking and packing soft fruit and vegetables.

Learn MoreGet In Touch
Midlands Agritech Innovation Hub | venue space | Technology workshop space | events | Conference | Office Space | Virtual OfficeMidlands Agritech Innovation Hub | venue space | Technology workshop space | events | Conference | Office Space | Virtual Office

Tech innovators ecosystem

The Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation hub is an ecosystem of tech innovators, engineering excellence, business thinkers, and food farming experts. Bringing industry, agri-tech and academia together under one roof.

Learn MoreGet In Touch

  • Agricultural Transition Plan

    DEFRA announced changes to agricultural policy in England from 1 January 2021, moving away from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Read what this will mean for farmers, land managers and agri-tech companies.

    Learn More

  • Postharvest Storage Solutions

    Central to our nutrition, today, the ability to extend the availability and seasons of perishable goods, such as fruit and vegetables, plays a key role and is an increasing challenge to food producers, processors and retailers.

    Learn More
    Agri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology | Glasshouse Phenotyping Platform | Postharvest Storage

  • Grain ‘swimming’ robot

    Technology start-up Crover, Agri-EPI and East of Scotland Farmers have teamed up to develop the first robotic device to tackle global post-harvest grain losses.

    Learn More
    Crover grain robot device

  • Soft fruit robotics

    A large UK agri-food consortium has been formed to address agricultural labour shortages by accelerating the use of robotics and automation (R&A) for picking and packing soft fruit and vegetables.

    Learn More
    Saga Robotics and the Modular Robotic Platform Thorvald

  • Innovation for Food Resilience

    More than 1200 delegates from over 20 countries worldwide attended a recent virtual conference from UK’s 4 Centres of Agricultural Innovation. All recordings are now available on demand.

    Watch recordings
    Agri-Tech Centres Event | 'Innovation for Food Resilience' | 19 November 2020

  • Tech innovators ecosystem

    The Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation hub is an ecosystem of tech innovators, engineering excellence, business thinkers, and food farming experts. Bringing industry, agri-tech and academia together under one roof.

    Learn More
    Midlands Agritech Innovation Hub | venue space | Technology workshop space | events | Conference | Office Space | Virtual Office
123456

Agri-EPI Centre

Pioneering innovation, technology and precision engineering in UK farming for increased productivity, profits and sustainable growth.

Welcome. We are the Agricultural Engineering Precision Innovation Centre (Agri-EPI). One of four UK Government centres of agricultural excellence, we focus on the delivery of research and development, demonstration and training of precision agriculture and engineering for the livestock, arable, horticulture and aquaculture sectors.

Agri-tech solutions

Turning innovative ideas into exciting new agri-tech precision processes and products.
Improving sustainability, welfare, productivity and economic growth throughout the world’s agricultural systems and food supply.

Link to: Service support
Link to: Service support

Service Support

Accelerate your business with our specialised knowledge and expertise.

Link to: Service support
Link to: Soil & Crop Technology

Soil & Crop Technology

Transform farming and food production by improving quality, increasing yield and extending shelf-life.

Link to: Livestock and Dairy

Livestock & Dairy

The future of housing, husbandry, health for farmed animals with sector-leading academic partnerships and UK-wide facilities.

Link to: Business Incubation

Business incubation

Ground-breaking incubation facilities and business support to accelerate the growth of your agri-tech business.

Agricultural technology projects

Within every part of the agricultural supply chain we operate a wide range of agriculture technology industry-led activities in applied research and development, demonstration, training and education. Learn more about each of our individual agriculture technology projects.

LEARN MORE

Agricultural technology projects

Within every part of the agricultural supply chain we operate a wide range of agriculture technology industry-led activities in applied research and development, demonstration, training and education. Learn more about each of our individual agriculture technology projects.

LEARN MORE
Precision Agricultural solution Well-Calf seeks to boost dairy-beef production

Precision Agriculture by WELL-CALF

Discover WELL-CALF: a precision agricultural solution to improve health & productivity in the dairy-beef sector. Read this case study now.
OPTI-Beef

Precision Agriculture by OPTI-BEEF

Discover OPTI-BEEF — precision agriculture to monitor productivity and product quality in the beef industry. Read this case study by Agri-EPI Centre.
Agri-EPI Connectivity 5G RuralFirst South West Dairy Development Centre

Wireless and mobile connectivity with 5G RuralFirst

Discover 5G RuralFirst — a co-innovation project to create rural test-beds for 5G wireless and mobile connectivity. Read this case study by Agri-EPI Centre.
Hands Free Farm

Creating the world’s first automated farm with Hands Free Farm

Learn about Hands Free Farm - an innovation project developing the world’s first fully automated farm. Read the case study by Agri-EPI Centre.
Detect pig tail biting - TailTech

Detecting pig tail biting by TailTech

Discover TailTech — a digital solution to develop an early warning system for farmers to detect pig tail biting. Agri-tech solutions.
Boosting Lending Potential with Satellite Imagery System GRID

Boosting lending potential with satellite imagery system GRID

Discover GroWise and GRID technology - boosting lending potential of credit providers to small holder farmers via satellite imagery.

Our partner network

Syngenta
Department for International Trade
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Logo Tesco
Barclays
Small Robot Company
University of Lincoln
Farm Africa
Soil Association
Crover
GRIMME
Mackie's Westertown farm logo
Syngenta
Department for International Trade
National Farmers Union (NFU)
Barclays
Logo Tesco
Small Robot Company
University of Lincoln
Farm Africa
Soil Association
Crover
GRIMME
Mackie's Westertown farm logo

Industry impact

Discover the practical application of new and emerging agri-tech research and innovation.

LEARN MORE
Case studies - Agri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology | Glasshouse Phenotyping Platform | Postharvest Storage

Extending the availability and flavour of UK apples

Recent research undertaken by Cranfield University, at Agri-EPI Centre’s innovative Postharvest Storage facilities has delivered a way not only to improve apple storage times, but also maintain apple quality and improve flavour during storage without the need for additional ethylene inhibitor treatment, effectively delivering substantial savings for large apple suppliers. Read the full case study.
Read more

Industry impact

Our library of case studies illustrates the practical application of new and emerging research and technology. If you would like more information about any of our case studies and the related solutions and services, please get in touch.

LEARN MORE
Soil Flux 360 | Agri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology Solutions | Eosense eosAC Multi-Species Soil Flux Chamber

Soil Flux Data: measuring and monitoring greenhouse gas emissions and the plant-soil carbon cycle

Measuring and quantifying the complex chemical and physical interactions between plant and soil, Agri-EPI’s automated dynamic soil flux 360 chambers monitor and measure positive and negative soil flux. The field-based technology captures topsoil and above ground plant gases, offering rapid and accurate data of soil respiration and sequestration. 
Case studies - Agri-EPI Soil and Crop Technology | Glasshouse Phenotyping Platform | Postharvest Storage

Extending the availability and flavour of UK apples

Recent research undertaken by Cranfield University, at Agri-EPI Centre’s innovative Postharvest Storage facilities has delivered a way not only to improve apple storage times, but also maintain apple quality and improve flavour during storage without the need for additional ethylene inhibitor treatment, effectively delivering substantial savings for large apple suppliers. Read the full case study.
Horticultural Crop Quality and Food Loss Network

Grant Funding for New Ideas: Horticultural Crop Quality and Food Loss Network

Cranfield University, in partnership with the University of Reading, have launched the Horticultural Crop Quality and Food Loss Network, a focal point for industrial and academic practitioners to collaborate and address the challenges of food losses and waste in horticultural systems. Read the full case study.

Take advantage of our leading agri-tech services and support

Events, webinars, workshops and demonstrations.
Knowledge-transfer, mentoring, industry and academic collaboration…
How can we help?

Benefits of membership…

Become a member and collaborate with industry and academic partners for pioneering change in food and farming.

Tap into our expertise

It takes the right team to bring change. Meet our experienced team and let us support your ideas and ambitions.

A unique collaboration

One of four UK agricultural centres of excellence, we are a unique and exciting collaboration between the UK Government, academics and industry.

What our partners say

“Our collaboration with Agri-EPI and the South West Dairy Development Centre gave us the opportunity to produce robust research in a commercial setting. The farm setup allows companies to obtain accurate feeding data whilst also being commercially viable at the same time. The turnaround time from project ideas to implementation of a trial is very quick and a great benefit for companies.”

“I’d heard about the Agri-EPI Centre in Australia and wanted to come and see it for myself. The Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub is ideally located adjacent to Harper Adams University and an ideal ‘landing-pad’ for Agri-tech companies wishing to start up in the UK.”

“The South West Dairy Centre fits very well with Innovate UK’s vision to support the development and adoption of new technologies to help UK farming become more sustainable, efficient and profitable.”

“Agri-EPI Centre – an incredible combination of state-of-the-art facilities, knowledge, and connectivity to everything that is the UK agtech scene.”

“Our collaboration with Agri-EPI and the Midlands Dairy Research Centre on the Harper Adams University campus is affording us the opportunity to conduct high quality, commercially relevant, forward thinking, research with a great team.”

What our partners say

“Our collaboration with Agri-EPI and the South West Dairy Development Centre gave us the opportunity to produce robust research in a commercial setting. The farm setup allows companies to obtain accurate feeding data whilst also being commercially viable at the same time. The turnaround time from project ideas to implementation of a trial is very quick and a great benefit for companies.”

“I’d heard about the Agri-EPI Centre in Australia and wanted to come and see it for myself. The Midlands Agri-Tech Innovation Hub is ideally located adjacent to Harper Adams University and an ideal ‘landing-pad’ for Agri-tech companies wishing to start up in the UK.”

“The South West Dairy Centre fits very well with Innovate UK’s vision to support the development and adoption of new technologies to help UK farming become more sustainable, efficient, and profitable.”

“Agri-EPI Centre – an incredible combination of state-of-the-art facilities, knowledge, and connectivity to everything that is the UK agtech scene.”

“Our collaboration with Agri-EPI and the Midlands Dairy Research Centre on the Harper Adams University campus is affording us the opportunity to conduct high quality, commercially relevant, forward thinking, research with a great team.”

Latest news

A3 Scotland 2022 | Transition to Net Zero | Animal Health, Agri-Tech, Aquaculture | Agri-EPI Centre

A3 Scotland 2022: Save the date

As sponsor and event partner, Agri-EPI announces the inaugural A3 Scotland for this year to be postponed to 26-27 April in 2022. The conference, themed 'Transition to Net Zero, focuses on encouraging innovation, investment and collaboration in animal health and sustainable food production.
Read more
Farm technology | Agri-EPI Livestock and Dairy Solutions | Robotic Milker

Idea to reality: what’s stopping tech getting onto farms?

The intractable issue of getting useful new technologies onto farms – and how the barriers to success might be overcome – will be the subject of a webinar led by tech innovation company Cambridge Consultants and Agri-EPI Centre on Thursday 28th January 2021.
Read more
Agri-EPI joins the EIT Food community

EIT Food welcomes Agri-EPI to their community

Agri-EPI Centre joins the EIT Food Community, with that Agri-EPI Centre aligns with EIT Food’s sustainable agriculture and aquaculture focus areas to guide and accelerate innovations in food production and farming practices.
Read more

A real game-changer for dairy cow health

Dairy farmers and vets have enlisted the help of video gaming experts to enhance cow health in a unique new study. The Innovate UK-funded SmARtview research project sees Agri-EPI Centre and UK Veterinary Group VetPartners join forces with experts at award-winning games developer Pocket Sized Hands and Abertay University’s School of Design & Informatics.
Read more
UK Agri-Tech Centres of Agricultural Innovation

Agri-tech Conference explored food resilience in COVID age

Together with the Agri-Tech Centres, Agri-EPI organised the Virtual Conference 'Innovation for Food Resilience'. The event, hosted by BBC Farming Today presenter Charlotte Smith, was designed to showcase and discuss a host of new technologies and techniques helping farming and food production to become more resilient and sustainable. The conference gathered an incredible interest: over 1200 delegates attended the conference and over 20 countries took part. Recordings are made available for delegates who were unable to attend the live event on the joint YouTube Channel.
Read more
New Scientist Live | Farmers Weekly | UK Agri-Tech Centres

Wonder of agri-tech to be shared at New Scientist Live virtual event

The wonderful world of agri-tech will be shared with visitors to the New Scientist Live ‘Future of Food and Agriculture’ virtual event on Saturday 28 November. Agri-EPI and its fellow UK Agri-Tech Centres CHAP and CIEL will be running a host of engaging talks, with opportunities for the audience to ‘ask the experts’ about the role and impact of new technologies and techniques supporting sustainable food.
Read more

Contact Us

Keen to speak to one of the Agri-EPI staff members?
Let us know what we can do for you.

Get in touch

Opening Times

Monday – Friday | 8:30am – 5:30pm

Saturday | Closed

Sunday | Closed

Agri-EPI Centre Rev Logo

Contact Us

Phone: 0131 239 7100

Agri-EPI Centre
Easter Bush
Roslin EH25 9RG

Privacy Notice

Follow Us

We work with UKRI
UK Agri-Tech Centres