Graduates visit Japan to discuss latest agricultural developments

Posted 20 December 2013

Two Harper Adams graduates visited a Japanese university recently to discuss the latest developments in Kobe beef rearing and agricultural robotics.

Kit Franklin and Tom Evans travelled to the faculty of agriculture at Kyoto University to meet with staff and students, including Professors Lida and Kondo.

Former MEng Agricultural Engineering student, 23-year-old Kit from South Cerney in Cirencester, said: “We had a very enjoyable time and learnt a great amount, especially about Japanese beef marbling. We were also shown videos of the latest robotic rice harvesting machines.”

The graduates shared experiences of their own work, including the Dionysus vineyard robot, built at Harper Adams – Shropshire’s first university.

Tom, 23, a BSc (Hons) Agriculture graduate is also from South Cerney. He first met Kit when they attended the same play group together and the pair have remained firm friends ever since.

Kit added: “My plans for the future include travelling Asia and I would then like to find work as a design and development engineering within the agricultural sector. The ultimate aim is professional chartership and perhaps even academic research.

“Tom and I have always been close friends, attending the same secondary school as well as the same Young Farmers Club, and we also enjoy surfing and skiing.