GLOBAL FARMING ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

This summer, the value of wheat globally is skyrocketing thanks to the worst drought that Brazil has experienced in 60 years.

That knowledge nugget might not be of interest to an engineer or cyber security expert. But it will be of great interest if you’re a farmer, food producer or operating in any part of that supply chain.

Surprisingly, there apparently hasn’t been one easily accessible source of sector analysis and insight which is equally readable for food chain experts and the farmers themselves. Until now.

James Bolesworth established CRM Agri in Cirencester around six years ago. The company compiles and analyses data to help those involved in any part of the agriculture sector make better informed decisions. Last year the company took this a stage further and launched Graintab, an on-demand market intelligence allowing businesses to make clearer, better informed decisions and manage market volatility more effectively.

James has been working in agricultural commodities and risk management for years, working primarily with farmers. Launching Graintab has allowed his team to share intelligence with a much wider market. The daily Graintab report now has around 30,000 reads a month from a global readership. Currently the company has subscribers from 37 countries.

“Our free daily report which goes out every evening, aims to offer a simple analysis of what’s happening across the global agriculture sector.”

Bristol spin-out uses tech to help fight climate change

Albotherm, a University of Bristol spin-out company developing passive cooling technologies, has secured seed funding to support the development of its variable shading system.

The company’s technology reduces energy usage in agriculture and buildings. Its temperature-responsive glass coating reflects sunlight, reducing the energy needed to cool agricultural, domestic and commercial buildings, which is expected to account for 13 per cent of global energy by 2050.

Albotherm’s smart transitioning coating technology regulates the temperature of surfaces without the need for energy input. When temperatures rise above a trigger temperature, the technology transitions from clear to white, reflecting away unwanted light to prevent overheating.