Farm of the Future demonstration event takes place at Harper Adams University

A demonstration event - where farmers were able to catch up on the latest tech, approaches and techniques helping transform agriculture as the industry works towards Net Zero - has been held at Harper Adams today.

The Farm of the Future: Net Zero in Practice event was delivered by Innovation for Agriculture (IfA), in partnership with The Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE) and Harper Adams.

It drew together farmers, industry representatives, and more to discuss what de-carbonising agriculture means in practice - and to hear first hand from some of the many people working on approaches which could transform the sector.

With an opening address by Lord Deben, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee, and expert panels, talks and demonstrations throughout the day - including ABP Chair of Sustainable Beef and Sheep Production Professor Jude Capper and Senior Engagement Fellow Kit Franklin - the event showcased research, best practice and innovation throughout the sector and beyond.

See more from the day in our round-up below.

The day we’ve all been waiting for! Kicking off our #farmofthefuture Net Zero in practice event hosted @HarperAdamsUni
Let’s see what the future of our brilliant industry looks like….. pic.twitter.com/EmHwarwPXU

— Innovation for Agriculture (@InnovationforAg) April 13, 2023

Here we go with RASE Farm of the Future. Lots of work gone into today by the teams @InnovationforAg, RASE and @HarperAdamsUni. It should be both informative and engaging throughout. pic.twitter.com/3AvnE8C3wB

— Kit Franklin (@AgEngResearch) April 13, 2023

And we’re off! A packed house for the @RoyalAgSociety @InnovationforAg @HarperAdamsUni #FutureOfFarming #NetZero discussion. A brilliant day ahead. https://t.co/wqiXQAWfio pic.twitter.com/la4hC1M8Hk

— Prof. Jude Capper ?????? (@Bovidiva) April 13, 2023

We’re pleased to be supporting the video production of today’s event. All sessions will be available on the School of Sustainable Food & Farming website next week https://t.co/Tuo7qR9xXs

— School of Sustainable Food and Farming (@TheSSFF) April 13, 2023

“The central role of farming is to produce food. It can then be done in a way which enhances the environment. But it absolutely must start with food, and this is a vital element which must not be forgotten”
Lord Deben, Chair of the UK Climate Change Committee. #farmofthefuture pic.twitter.com/53OQPion6S

— Innovation for Agriculture (@InnovationforAg) April 13, 2023

DEFRA must become much more a ministry of #Agriculture and help #farmers in producing food while reaching #NetZero… the central role of farming is to produce food. A great call to action from Lord Deben at #FarmOfTheFuture today. pic.twitter.com/Sm1ugJwL8C

— Prof. Jude Capper ?????? (@Bovidiva) April 13, 2023

Helen Browning at Harper Adams speaks on Net Zero Farming. Considering route map & investment required to transition our farms strategically ready for future state of zero emissions, nutrient balanced & with sound mitigation measures. ?@SoilAssociation? ?@vickihird? pic.twitter.com/2FFQS5zqw8

— Cindy Palmano (@cindypalmano) April 13, 2023

Fantastic knowledgeable panel @HelenBOrganic, @foodsafetyljm, @AbiReader & @Farm3Dwithtrees sharing their #NetZeroInPractice journeys. @InnovationforAg @HarperAdamsUni pic.twitter.com/kAaWMnko9y

— Kit Franklin (@AgEngResearch) April 13, 2023

Our senior KE manager @allaboutthecows is at @HarperAdamsUni today for this great event organised by @InnovationforAg “Sustainable farming isn’t just about carbon, its about profitability, biodiversity, animal health & welfare & all the people involved in our industry” #truestory pic.twitter.com/OeA7H6TyD1

— AHDB Beef & Lamb (@AHDB_BeefLamb) April 13, 2023

Our second panellist @foodsafetyljm giving a hugely interesting talk explaining the steps needed to decarbonise the poultry industry, focusing on renewables and efficiency. #farmofthefuture @RoyalAgSociety pic.twitter.com/whmivuictl

— Innovation for Agriculture (@InnovationforAg) April 13, 2023

Prof Michael Lee at the #farmofthefuture event at @HarperAdamsUni with @InnovationforAg “if we think about sustainability as just carbon, we’re in trouble..” ???? #YES pic.twitter.com/IxLIaJ0UXf

— Amy Hughes (nee Fawcett) (@allaboutthecows) April 13, 2023

An amazing talk from @AbiReader about her farm’s plans for #NetZero at #FarmOfTheFuture. Even more impressive as Abi literally flew into the lecture theatre like Wonder Woman after a horrendous drive! pic.twitter.com/F4q6h6irgX

— Prof. Jude Capper ?????? (@Bovidiva) April 13, 2023

Delighted to be speaking later at the @InnovationforAg #FarmOfTheFuture event at HarperAdams today. Currently speaking is the awesome @AbiReader @Bovidiva @RoyalAgSociety pic.twitter.com/f0iEDjIMWg

— Paul James Westaway (@PaulatMelview) April 13, 2023

Great to showcase the FarmDroid at the @InnovationforAg 'Farm of the Future: Net Zero in Practice' event today, held at @HarperAdamsUni. @RoyalAgSociety @AgEngResearch @TheSSFF @agricology #robotfarming #agritech #solarpowered #netzero #farmofthefuture https://t.co/C2WwMUppuc

— FarmDroidUK (@FarmDroidUK) April 13, 2023

It’s fantastic to see a biomethane powered tractor from @NewHollandAG and electric vehicles from @JCBmachines at the #Farmofthefuture event today. pic.twitter.com/aSdNiggsgV

— The Royal Agricultural Society of England (@RoyalAgSociety) April 13, 2023

Alternative fuel have their role to play in decarbonising the livestock industry - James Llewelyn highlights the needs to look at life cycle emissions “well to wheel” emissions. JCB vehicles running on hydrogen. @RoyalAgSociety @InnovationforAg #SustainableAgriculture pic.twitter.com/rkGWXycOLe

— Kingshay Farming (@KingshayFarming) April 13, 2023

.@EarthcareTec shares the practical considerations of using biowastes safely on farm. #Farmofthefuture pic.twitter.com/fnqoF1Ezvl

— The Royal Agricultural Society of England (@RoyalAgSociety) April 13, 2023

Great morning session down @FreeHectare with guests @FarmDroidUK and @smallrobotco discussing and demonstrating autonomous vehicles working in the field.@HarperAdamsUni @InnovationforAg RASE Farm of the Future: Net Zero in Practice pic.twitter.com/hAglhHfvHK

— Kit Franklin (@AgEngResearch) April 13, 2023

Our Technical Manager Anna Dinsdale has landed at the ASF Farm of the Future net zero in-practice event run by @InnovationforAg! If you're at the event you can hear her talk on decarbonising livestock production between 11-15 and 14:00 in the Weston Theatre. pic.twitter.com/TEfUAwi1R7

— AB Vista GB & ROI (@ABVistaGBIRE) April 13, 2023

Phenomenal speech by Lord Deben at #farmofthefuture at @HarperAdamsUni with @InnovationforAg “it’s unacceptable to tlk about public goods as if food production isn’t a public good” farmers need to be given confidence to tackle #climatechange

— Amy Hughes (nee Fawcett) (@allaboutthecows) April 13, 2023

Delighted to be a part of the Royal Agricultural Society of England #netzero in practice event @HarperAdamsUni today pic.twitter.com/Fp9YWGpYFB

— School of Sustainable Food and Farming (@TheSSFF) April 13, 2023

Fantastic @HarperAdamsUni at RASE #FarmoftheFuture. Insightful, provocative and ambitious. Just the right balance needed! We need to engage together, generate confidence to act, embrace opportunities and drive delivery.#farming #rurallife #majorprojects #leadership #not9to5 pic.twitter.com/0shN1H8z8B

— Darren Jaundrill (@darrenjaundrill) April 13, 2023

Fantastic event today at Harper Adams around Net Zero in practice, lots of chat around circular economies, biomethane and improving farm profitability!! And of course always good to return to @HarperAdamsUni pic.twitter.com/cvJ8oECl2d

— Helen Dent (@HelenDent94) April 13, 2023

So lovely to chair this amazing panel (or boy band?) at the @InnovationforAg #FarmOfTheFuture event at @HarperAdamsUni today. Thank you @kenyanpigfarmer @PaulatMelview @Farm3Dwithtrees & @maltdoctor, you were all absolutely brilliant! pic.twitter.com/eNUne2Y58Z

— Prof. Jude Capper ?????? (@Bovidiva) April 13, 2023

Thanks to @InnovationforAg for a great day at the Farm of the Future: Net zero in practice event, hosted by @HarperAdamsUni Here’s a little ?? on what we heard about…?? pic.twitter.com/akhgN5zxnM

— AHDB Beef & Lamb (@AHDB_BeefLamb) April 13, 2023

So glad she enjoyed and agree it was a brilliant event ????

— Abi Reader (@AbiReader) April 13, 2023

Conclusion of the day? The #farmofthefuture looks to be a positive place.
Huge thanks to all of you who joined us today at @HarperAdamsUni for our first ever Net Zero in practice event. If you couldn’t make it, stay tuned for our post event highlights!@RoyalAgSociety pic.twitter.com/yfc38ZbQxS

— Innovation for Agriculture (@InnovationforAg) April 13, 2023