World-leading innovation in the farming sector will be showcased at a major agriculture conference in Angus next month.

Sponsored by EQ Accountants LLP, Bell Ingram, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Thorntons Law, the 15th Farming Scotland Conference takes place at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel on Thursday 8 February 2018.

The ‘Hands Free Hectare’ project, run by Harper Adams University and Precision Decisions aimed to be the first in the world to plant, tend and harvest a crop with no human foot entering the field. The engineers developed equipment so that all work could be carried out by autonomous machines and drones. Last year, they planted a crop of spring barley and successfully harvested it to achieve a world-first which could have huge ramifications for the way farming practices are developed in the future. Project lead Kit Franklin from Harper Adams University will address the conference to explain what was achieved, and to reveal the far-reaching implications for farming both in the UK and beyond.

Meanwhile, Professor Colin Campbell, who heads up the world-renowned James Hutton Institute, will shed light on some of the key projects gathering speed at the Invergowrie research organisation, many of which have both practical and commercial benefits to farmers. The Farming Scotland Conference, which has a theme of ‘Innovations in Farming’, will also hear from John Kinnaird, Scottish Government Sustainability Farming Champion and Chris Newenham, joint MD of large fruit farming and retail concern Wilkin & Sons, based in Tiptree, Essex.

Graeme Davidson, Partner at EQ Accountants and Chair of the Farming Scotland Conference said, “Our 2018 conference has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability and the high calibre of all of our speakers reflect that perfectly.

“I’m delighted that Kit Franklin is able to come to Scotland to share the experience and knowledge gained by the Hands Free Hectare project. Our agriculture sector is well-known for being at the leading edge of many technological advances so I know that delegates will be eager to hear about this world-first and its potential applications.

“We are also delighted that Professor Campbell of James Hutton Institute, which we are so proud to have on our doorstep, will be able to provide his views on where current and future research and innovation in the sector can have an impact.”

Our2018 conference has a strong focus on innovation and sustainability