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The UK government has launched a £20 million competition to support the development of farm automation and robotics, aiming to address labour shortages, boost productivity, and foster resilient agricultural businesses. Industry leaders welcome the funding, noting its crucial role in helping companies move from prototype to commercial deployment, but stress that scale-up support remains vital due to the capital-intensive nature of bringing agtech to market. The programme, part of a wider £123 million investment, is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and practical on-farm adoption, with a focus on supporting high-quality, impactful projects.

The global fertiliser industry, historically focused on reliability and efficiency, is now prioritising innovation through collaboration with start-ups, digital technologies, and biological solutions to address interconnected challenges such as decarbonisation, nutrient efficiency, and climate resilience. Key innovation areas include low-carbon nitrogen production, precision nutrient application using AI and sensing technologies, and the integration of biologicals alongside conventional fertilisers. The sector recognises that no single breakthrough will suffice; instead, a combination of innovations and stronger incentives for farmers are needed to achieve sustainability goals. Looking ahead, the industry aims for a more digital, biological, and sustainable future, with deeper partnerships across the agricultural ecosystem.

Will strong U.S. soybean and corn production continue to meet strong demand?