WITH 32 per cent of farmers most intrigued by robotic and data agri-tech developments, leading rural insurer NFU Mutual is devoting its LAMMA stand to helping farmers understand the range of innovative agri-technology becoming available.

Fast-developing agri-tech, from robotic pickers to fitness trackers for cows, has the potential to make UK farms more profitable while benefitting the environment and animal welfare.

NFU Mutual agri-tech specialists Fang Wang and Charlie Yorke will be attending the show to discuss agri-tech with farmers and to help them understand the possibilities and potential drawbacks of innovations coming to market.

The NFU Mutual and NFU stand will also feature a hands-on game featuring ‘Little Tom’ - a scaled-down version of a farm operations robot developed by the Small Robot Company. The game will enable stand visitors to try out their skills navigating Tom across a farm course.

Farmers’ developing interest in agri-tech is clearly shown by a survey conducted by NFU Mutual in December 2019, which revealed that 32 per cent of respondents said they were most intrigued by robotic and data agri-tech developments; closely followed by drones (30 per cent) and autonomous tractors (24 per cent).

Fang Wang, NFU Mutual Business Analyst, said: “Our research shows that many farmers are open to investing in agri-tech - but are holding back because of concerns about the risks involved, whether they will choose the right systems, and that new tech will prove durable in farm conditions.

“We are working hard to understand the new systems coming to market so we can work with farmers to put them at the front of the agri-tech revolution.”

NFU Mutual’ s Agri-tech Report, together with a series of videos and podcasts produced to help farmers considering investing in agri-tech, is now available to download on the company's website: nfumutual.co.uk/agri-tech

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