Agri-Tech Week 2025 is a series of free events hosted by members of Agri-TechE – an organisation bringing together farmers, scientists, technologists and entrepreneurs.
Throughout the week of October 20-24, the initiative showcases the innovation, collaboration and creativity within this community and seeks to “foster vital connections between growers, researchers, and technology developers”.
Agri-TechE director Dr Belinda Clarke said: “Agri-Tech Week reflects the energy and ingenuity of our member community across the UK – from gene editing in Norwich to carbon removal in Devon, satellite agronomy in Cambridge to soil microbiomes in Yorkshire.
“As a member-led organisation, we’re proud to have convened this national conversation for the past 12 years to showcase the vibrant agri-tech ecosystem. It’s really a celebration of collaboration – connecting farmers, researchers, and technologists to drive innovation, ensuring it is developed effectively for maximum impact.”
Events in East Anglia include:
Monday, October 20: Rooted in Science – Transforming Soil for Tomorrow’s Farms, Earlham Institute, Norwich Research Park.
Soil health within the farming system is a vital component of the UK’s “natural capital” and is in the forefront of innovation in sustainable agriculture. This event is an opportunity to hear about latest applications of research for soil health, soil microbiome, root-soil interactions and to explore innovative solutions, including bioengineered, nature-based approaches, that can strengthen the output of the UK agri-food sector.
Monday, October 20: Discover The New Farming Systems Experiments, The Morley Agricultural Foundation, near Wymondham.
This event explores the New Farming Systems Experiments – large-scale, long-term studies initiated in 2007 to “develop bio-sustainable cropping systems for conventional arable cropping”. The programme seeks to maintain or increase output while improving efficiency, sustainability and resilience. Experiments examine three inter-related themes: fertility building, approaches to tillage, and the use of soil amendments.
Wednesday, October 22: ADAS: Making the most of organic materials, Eriswell Lodge, near Lakenheath.
Organic materials, including livestock manures, biosolids, compost and digestate, contain valuable plant nutrients and can save farmers money on their fertiliser bill. However, how these materials are managed can have a significant impact on their value to the farm. This farm-based event will outline how farmers can maximise the value of their organic materials
Thursday, October 23: Pioneering Gene Editing in Agriculture, Norfolk Showground
An exclusive speaker event with Dr Philip Zegerman from biotech company Tropic, who will explain how the firm’s ground-breaking gene-editing technology at the Norwich Research Park is transforming agriculture and advancing global food security. Tropic’s advanced tools, including its Editing induced Gene Silencing (GeiGS) platform, are being used to improve tropical produce such as bananas and rice – making them tastier, more resilient, higher yielding, and better able to withstand the challenges of climate change. These innovations are now being applied to UK-grown crops and extended to livestock, with promising developments in disease resistance and animal welfare.
For a full list of events and booking links, see www.agri-tech-e.co.uk/agri-tech-week-2025.
Leading line-up for agri-tech conference
Agri-Tech Week is followed by Agri-TechE’s flagship annual conference, which will discuss the future of agriculture in a new venue on November 4.
The REAP Conference at the KingsGate Centre in Peterborough will feature leadership insights into how vital collaborations can be achieved in a rapidly-changing industry facing increasing pressures on finances, labour, resources and land use.
The keynote speaker is Baroness Minette Batters, a former NFU president who is now a member of the House of Lords. She has been appointed by the government to lead a review into farm profitability.
“The Farm Profitability Review, which will be completed just days before REAP, follows extensive consultation across the industry, and I’ll have several conclusions and reflections to report,” she said. “It’s a multi-faceted picture, but agri-tech has a vital role to play in building resilient, sustainable and profitable farms of the future.”
The event will feature panel discussions, where leading farmers will discuss how technology can be applied in real-world scenarios to “create a profitable and sustainable business”. It will include East Anglian perspectives from James Beamish, director of the Holkham Farming Company in north Norfolk, and Andrew Blenkiron, managing director of Elveden Farms, near Thetford.
Meanwhile, Defra’s head of climate mitigation Harley Stoddart will explain how scientific theory shapes decisions in the field.
And the “visionary innovators” in the Start-Up Showcase will also present their ideas for the future of farming.
For more details and tickets for REAP 2025 see www.agri-tech-e.co.uk/reap-conference.
