The new Agri Lab exhibition at this year’s Royal Welsh Show will showcase a host of innovative technologies set to change the face of farming in the next 5-10 years.
Located on the spacious balcony overlooking the sheep pens at the Meirionnydd Sheep Building, and a joint partnership between Farming Connect and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, farmers will be able to view and learn about new technology innovations.
“Innovation is a cornerstone of the support work under Farming Connect,” explained Eirwen Williams of Farming Connect. “Innovating is one way we can support businesses to improve efficiency and competitiveness, especially those producing commodities and therefore exposed to the fluctuations of global trading conditions.”
“We’re very aware that a strong healthy industry needs to be continuously innovating,” added Aled Jones, Assistant Chief Executive for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. “Having dedicated space to demonstrate new innovation is very exciting for us, and we look forward to developing the Agri Lab exhibition with Farming Connect for many years to come.”
Live demonstrations will be hosted at the Agri Lab during the week, including an on-farm faecal egg count (FEC) assessment tool called FECPAK, and latest infra-red on-farm silage analysis technology demonstrated by Dave Davies Silage Solutions. Free access to wi-fi will be available at the Agri-Lab.
“Many of the technologies on show involve the progress towards Smart Farming, which is largely based on being able to record, monitor and measuring more data to make better and faster decisions,” continued Eirwen Williams. “Farming will undergo far reaching changes on the back of the digital revolution we’re currently going through, creating new opportunities for existing businesses and those interested in joining the industry.”
The exhibition will feature collaboration with a number of cutting edge companies such as Arbel Electronics of Pembrokeshire, Wynnstay, Fullwood Robotics and Cogent UK. Genomics will feature highly, with the Limousin Society showcasing their genomic breeding values, a first in the UK, and TL Biolabs exhibiting their genomic testing services for cattle and sheep.
Backed by a forum made up of pioneering Welsh farmers and foresters, the Agri Lab’s work will continue after the Royal Welsh Show, promoting the latest innovation.
“Embracing innovation can help Welsh farming stay ahead of its competitors and remain profitable,” said Tom Allison, member of the Agri Lab Forum, Technical Specialist and 2016 Nuffield Scholar from Sychpant, Rhoshill, Aberteifi.
“We’ve held a series of workshops this year, and so far we believe that smart farming, genomics, social media, virtual reality technology and vertical farming are all innovations that will benefit Welsh farming and offer new opportunities to meet the local and global challenges we face.”