Your guide to CropTec 2023
Welcome! We are so excited to be opening the doors to another CropTec show which, for the first time this year, will be held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Centre (NAEC) at Stoneleigh Park. As the leading technical knowledge exchange event, CropTec offers all you need to know about the latest developments in arable agri-tech and agronomy. Our exhibitors will be showcasing their current and upcoming products and services – all of specific interest to the arable sector. Meanwhile the insight available through our knowledge hubs and extensive seminar programme is second to none. Tap into expertise and top up your knowledge…and don’t forget to claim your NRoSO and BASIS points for doing so! You’ll find details on all our hubs and seminars in the pages of this guide.
NEW VENUE! For the first time CropTec will be held at National Agricultural Exhibition Centre, Stoneleigh Park. Not been before? Use postcode CV8 2LH for your sat nav. EXHIBITORS: With more than 150 exhibitors from across the arable sector you’ll find all the products and services you need under one roof. For a full list of exhibitors click HERE. SEMINARS: Don’t miss CropTec’s seminar sessions designed to help growers to future-proof their businesses. Find the details on page 3-4. HUBS: Our three knowledge hubs offer a deep dive into water, biostimulants and technology. Head to page 5-6 for more info.
We look forward to welcoming you to the NAEC and wish you a successful year ahead.
SPRAYER TEST-DRIVES: Get behind the wheel and put the latest sprayers through their paces. Check out the line-up on page 7.
Verity Hyland Event Director, CropTec
TWO NEW ZONES: NEW for this year we welcome the Agri-Tech Centre Start-Up Zone and Soil Association Certification’s Regen Zone. Find out more on page 8.
Click here to register for your FREE ticket
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CropTec is a great opportunity to both receive NRoSO points and to see for myself the range of technologies and equipment that I may well be using in the future.” VISITOR, 2022
Learning opportunities at CropTec The CropTec Show has been keeping the UK’s growers and agronomists updated on the latest industry insights and technical information for the past decade. This year’s event is no exception with three specialist knowledge hubs and a packed programme of seminars on offer, not to mention the expertise available throughout the exhibition halls.
Knowledge Hubs: • A focus point for exploration and discussion of specific topics. • Organised by CropTec sponsors or partners, each hub has its own offering of discussions, drop-in information or speakers. • Topics covered this year are Water (sponsored by Anglian Water), Smart Farming (sponsored by UPL) and Transforming Food Production (in partnership with UKRI) • Further information on each of the hubs can be found on page 5-6.
BASIS and NRoSO members
Don’t forget to claim your CPD points for attending CropTec by registering at the BASIS NRoSO stand (Hall 2, Stand 712)
Seminars: • Leading voices in science, technology, agronomy and policy as well as experienced farmers take to the CropTec stage. • Sessions will tackle the opportunities and challenges of new markets (session one), crop nutrition (session two) and crop protection (session four). • We will also hear how three innovative farmers have developed new ways to add value to their enterprises (session three). • For the full line-up including timings see page 3-4.
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We are experiencing a really important time for farming. We need to think about the future of agriculture and how farm businesses can adapt to a fast-evolving market and policy landscape.” NFU CHIEF ECONOMICS ADVISOR ROHIT KAUSHISH
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CropTec 2023 Seminar Programme 9.45-10.45am
Breaking down access to new markets to cultivate resilience Chair: Rohit Kaushish, chief economics advisor, NFU (day 1) David Exwood, vice president, NFU (day 2) Speakers: Dr Lydia Smith, director of NIAB and the Eastern Agritech Innovation Hub Caroline Nicholls, ELMS Content Development Team Leader, DEFRA Julian Gold, Farm Manager, Hendred Estate , Oxfordshire Public and private nature markets – A view from the top With BPS continuing to phase out, there are increasing opportunities for farmers to access new income to cultivate business resilience. Following Defra’s release of its latest Nature Markets Framework, designed to scale up some of these existing markets, this session will focus on helping farmers break down some of the economic and environmental benefits on offer. It will also aim to answer fundamental questions around publicly-funded environmental incentives, such as SFI, CS Plus and ELMS. Can nature provide an income? Farmer focused case study This session will provide farmers with a unique insight into the economic opportunities and challenges of nature farming in practice to ask: Can nature provide an income? Novel crops and new markets: Assessing the impact for farmers and resilience Opportunities are now opening to explore alternative cropping rotations. This session will combine technical expertise and practice to explore how diversifying your crop rotation through accessing novel crops and new markets could be key to boosting farm profitability and resilience.
11.15-12pm
Crop nutrition in a changing climate: Time to reset or review? Chair: Peter Kendall, past AHDB chair and past NFU president Panellists: Mark Tucker, sustainability and business solutions manager at YARA Phil Jarvis, chair of Albanwise farming and environment David Boulton, AICC council director and trails committee member From high prices to environmental considerations, are more farmers being prompted to review or reset their fertiliser strategy? As agriculture strives to achieve its sustainability goals, experts will gather in this roundtable discussion to understand the importance of low carbon crop nutrition, while looking at the future of fertiliser policy in a changing climate.
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CropTec 2023 Seminar Programme 1.15-2pm
Connecting bold thinkers in a time of change: real stories from boots on the ground Chair: Andrew Francis, COO and co-founder TEAM Ag UK Speakers: Andrew Williams, retired manager and farm advisor Jack Smith, farm director of AG Wright and son Jo Franklin, partner of Kaiapoi Agriculture is in the midst of a period of significant change as a result of increased input costs, changing legislation, and mounting environmental pressures. This session is focused on talking to farmers on the ground to gain their personal insights and hear how they have developed innovative ways to ‘add value’ to their enterprises and help provide growers with the tools they need to navigate the shifting industry. From a deep dive into the benefits and strategies behind data management, to understanding the transformative journey to regenerative and sustainable farming practices. This session will focus on sharing inspiring stories to help other farm businesses understand the process of change and equip them with actionable advice.
2.30-3.15pm
Balancing crop protection opportunities and challenges in an environment of change Chair: Will Oliver, fourth generation farmer, member of National Crops Board and Maize Growers Association Speakers: Dave Bench, chief executive of CropLife UK James Bairstow, farming consultant at Strutt and Parker Dr David Shafer, wheat breeder at RAGT seeds The face of crop protection is changing rapidly, from banned active ingredients to environmental stewardship obligations. This is leading to increased reliance on plant breeding, and mounting pressures on timely regulatory authorisation for new modes of action. This forward-thinking session will bring together industry experts to examine the opportunities and challenges presented by the crop protection sector and how they will affect farmers in the field. From understanding the evolving regulatory and policy framework for the use of crop protection products, to the role of plant breeding in the production of more resilient crops, this focused session will break down what it means in practice to help growers get ahead.
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The seminars are great, particularly hearing the farmer viewpoint not just advisors and policy makers.” FARMER, 2022
Welcome to the Knowledge Hubs Our three specialist Knowledge Hubs offer a ‘deep dive’ into the arable sector’s most pertinent subjects. Visitors will be offered unique insight and understanding of water, technology and smart farming at the show. Verity Hyland, event director for CropTec said: “The Knowledge Hubs organised by our sponsors and partners are a great opportunity for farmers to get an in-depth understanding of these key issues and to come away with practical information and advice on next steps.”
Water Hub Anglian Water is inviting farmers and agronomists to visit its ‘Water Hub’ (Hall 2, stand 214) to discuss the issues surrounding water and to learn about support available from its eight catchment advisors. With panel discussions at 11.45am and 1.15pm both days, and experts on hand during the day for one-to-one conversations, Lincolnshire catchment advisor Julie Jackson said the team is looking forward to meeting as many farmers as possible. Mrs Jackson said: “We have a brilliant line up for our panel discussions with experienced farmers, agronomists, scientists, seed breeders and policy experts bringing different perspectives.”
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Farmers on the panel include Guy Smith whose farm in St Osyth, Essex is believed to be the driest in the country, Andrew Ward and Andrew Laughton both from Lincolnshire, contractor and farmer Martin Williams, Simon Day farm manager for AH Worth and Tim Harper, commercial director for Blankney Estates. Chaired by Jill Hewitt, chief executive of the National Association of Agricultural Contractors, the other panellists include Alice Cannon of Farmacy; Pam Chambers, technical support manager for British Sugar; Ron Granger of Limagrain; Tim Hess, Cranfield Professor of water and food systems; and Kelly Hewson-Fisher, Savills head of rural and projects research.
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Knowledge Hubs
Transforming Food Production Hub The Innovate UK ‘Transforming Food Production’ (TFP) Hub in Hall 2 (stand 540) will showcase the successes of a £90m programme of the same name, which has been running for the last five years. Over the two days, Innovate UK will be promoting what has come out of the TFP programme and look ahead at what is available for innovation funding in the future.
Dr Tom Jenkins, deputy challenge director for the TFP programme, said: “We’ll be covering two exciting areas at CropTec. Innovate UK works closely with Defra and delivers their Farming Innovation Programme, and the opportunities available will form one area of focus. Secondly, a new programme was launched this year called BridgeAI. We will be exploring how artificial intelligence is being used within the agricultural industry and raising awareness of the opportunities for the sector through the BridgeAI programme.”
Smart Farming Hub UPL will host the ‘Smart Farming’ Hub on its stand in Hall 2 (no. 814). Visitors will discover more about the Natural Plant Protection (NPP) range of biosolutions, which allow farmers to reduce reliance on traditional chemical pesticides without compromising efficacy or yield. NPP was first launched at last year’s CropTec. Looking ahead to spring agronomy programmes, UPL’s flagship bio-fungicides Thiopron (sulphur) and Iodus (laminarin) will feature prominently. Technical experts will be on hand to advise farmers and agronomists about how to best use them in combination with conventional chemistry for cost-effective disease control.
A business unit of UPL and part of UPL’s OpenAg Network, NPP offers growers a comprehensive portfolio of biosolutions with naturally derived agricultural inputs. “We are very excited to be not only be exhibiting but also sponsoring a hub at CropTec this year and sharing information with the industry. Sustainable farming is here to stay and UPL is delighted to be part of it,” said UPL’s Bertha Spangenberg.
CropTec gets bigger and better every year. It keeps me up to date and helps me get my BASIS points.” FARM MANAGER, 2022
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Sprayer Test Drives To arrange your own personal test drive, simply book your slot at the manufacturer’s stand! Visitors can test drive sprayers from six leading manufacturers at this year’s CropTec. The opportunity to jump in the hot seat will give visitors an unparalleled experience of operating different models, all in the same place and on the same day! Arrange a one-to-one session with a knowledgeable expert who can explain all the details of each model to help you discover the sprayer that meets your specific needs.
HORSCH Leeb PT Self-Propelled Sprayer Hall 1 Stand 426
Sam Crop Sprayers Sands Infinity Self-Propelled Sprayer
Amazone Pantera 4504 Self-Propelled Sprayer
Hall 2 Stand 520
Hall 1 Stand 430
Bateman RB35 Self-Propelled Sprayer
HARDI AEON CENTURAline Trailed Sprayer
Hall 2 Stand 740
Visit Agrifac: Hall 2 Stand 610
Mazzotti MAF 4080 HP Self-Propelled Sprayer
John Deere R41 Series 40i and 50i Self-Propelled Sprayers
Visit Farol: Hall 2 Stand 420
Visit Farol: Hall 2 Stand 420
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Don‘t miss out! If you want to know the future of arable looks like, you can’t afford to miss The CropTec Show 2023. • CUTTING-EDGE INNOVATIONS: CropTec offers a first-hand look at game-changing innovations that can boost crop yields and efficiency.
First time exhibitors
• EXPERT INSIGHTS: Tap into industry expertise through seminars, Knowledge Hubs, and networking opportunities, helping you stay ahead.
This year we welcome 26 new exhibitors to the CropTec halls including Navigate Eco Solutions, Bee-hive Innovations and Farming Community Network (FCN).
• TAILORED SOLUTIONS: With a diverse range of exhibitors, the show offers tailored solutions for every farm‘s needs, from precision agriculture tools to sustainable farming practices, helping you make informed decisions. • PROFITABILITY BOOST: By attending CropTec, farmers can discover cost-effective strategies, tools, and practices that lead to increased profitability.
WHAT‘S NEW?
START-UP ZONE
Peruse the exhibition halls to see what’s new and upcoming in the world of arable including Stabur - a premium protected urea that reduces ammonia emissions by up to 98%. Made by BASF it will be available exclusively in the UK through Glasson Fertilisers. The launch of Stabur comes ahead of the changing legal requirements for urea-containing fertilisers. From April 2024, as part of the UK government’s Clean Air Strategy, any fertiliser containing urea applied after 1 April each year must be protected with a urease inhibitor. Visit Glasson (Hall 2, Stand 654) to find out more.
Come and meet representatives from ambitious new businesses taking the sector by storm in the Agri-Tech StartUp Zone. Newcomers including Vertinetik, AgriSound, Knowmatics, Slimers, BactoBio, Fox Robotics and Navigate Eco System have exhibition space to discuss their businesses or projects with CropTec visitors. Representatives will also be sharing their ideas and inviting questions in speaker slots throughout the day. If you’re keen to meet industry innovators and get a glimpse of future tech, don’t miss the Start-Up Zone.
THE REGEN ZONE Join Soil Association Certification in the Regen Zone and be part of the conversation about regenerative farming. What is regen, and how and why is this grassroots movement amongst farmers gathering such pace?
agenda across the board. We’ll dig into the concept and challenges of regen and explore the need for a wholesale shift in farming practices that restore ecosystems whilst supporting sustainable livelihoods.
With a wide range of regenerative practices to engage in, the term is open to interpretation at many different levels, but the importance of healthy soils, clean water and protected biodiversity are rising up the
Expert panellists at four talks across both days of the show will provide insights and answer questions on everything from the future of regen, to green finance and natural nitrogen.
Sponsored by:
In partnership with:
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