A programme of regional workshops for the Agri-EPI Satellite Farmers has resulted in great feedback and lots of ideas for the future activities of the network, according to Agri-EPI Farms and Commercial Manager Gavin Dick. Gavin has hosted five of six planned workshops since the beginning of the 2019. Such events provide an important opportunity for farmers in the network to share their experiences and provide Agri-EPI with feedback that helps to shape the network’s future programme.

Precision farming solutions

In addition, the meetings offer the chance for the farmers to undertake training in some of the technology Agri-EPI has supplied for use on their farms. This time, the training covered drones and SoilEssentials’ new precision farming software platform KORE. This platform analyses images of farmland captured by drone, allowing the farmers to make decisions around inputs such as seed or fertiliser, with the ultimate aim of evening out crop growth.

Gavin said: “The feedback provided by the farmers at the workshops has been excellent and we’re very grateful to them for taking part. We have discussed a number of ideas for the future, such as plans to build on the success of the CropScan grain quality monitor trials at Overbury and Shimpling Park farms. We hope to bring this innovative technology to Scotland for trials malting barley production. We also plan to extend the application of the Near Infrared Technology used by Cropscan to other crop quality measures. We are beginning to build momentum with the Satellite Farm Network and, with the ongoing support and enthusiasm of the farmers, we are looking forward to a busy and productive 2019.”