Surging interest in the merits of precision farming for all farm types ensured an excellent turnout of farmers and contractors eager to invest in equipment and services at Precision Farming 2014 - The Technology Event for UK farming at Peterborough Arena, Peterborough on Wednesday 5th March.
The event was sponsored by SOYL and included a seminar presented by Frontier agronomist Stuart Campbell. Titled 'Linking precision farming to agronomy', Stuart provided an insight into the practical solutions and benefits of precision farming.
Visitors came to see the latest technology on display, speak to the sector's experts and hear practical experiences and advice from a specialist seminar programme.
"Farmers are eager to get up to date with the benefits precision farming can bring," said Ann Newbold, director of organiser Farm-Smart Events, which is also staging the Agricultural Buildings Show on Lincolnshire Showground on Thursday 3rd April and UK Grain at Peterborough Arena on Wednesday 5th November.
"Exhibitors reported very strong interest, which probably stems from last year's better than expected harvest and the good growth made by most winter wheat, barley and rape crops coming out of the winter, with many more acres planted than the same time last year," added Mrs Newbold. "Visitors were clearly making buying decisions to make the most of the latest technology."
The good news is that the equipment is increasingly affordable, and the management advice and software support means you don't need a degree in Information Technology to take advantage of it, she added.
"Precision Farming has come of age. Farmers across the land are using it to make more money, ease business management and meet regulations more simply. Once the preserve of the technical whizz-kids, precision farming now has a place on most farms. Whether it is positioning machines more precisely, tailoring input applications, or automating irrigation and grain store systems, most farms can benefit."
'Plug-Fest' - a new area at the event backed by Precision Decisions - aimed to help visitors get to grips with what precision farming can offer, and how to integrate systems for best results.
Precision Farming 2015 is scheduled for Wednesday 4th March 2015 at the Peterborough Arena, Peterborough.
