| Arable
CropTec’s unique arable innovation showcase proves a hit with progressive farmers and advisers Thousands of farmers and agronomists who took a well-earned break from the relentless rain to visit the recent CropTec Show at the East of England Showground were rewarded with a wide array of agricultural innovation and expertise to help make their business more efficient, productive and profitable. ore than 170 exhibitors attended the show, providing a fascinating mix of new technology, crop science and services. The acclaimed CropTec seminar programme, together with a comprehensive line-up of knowledge hubs providing key takeaway technical messages, also pulled in the crowds, featuring leading industry specialists and farmers covering some of the most talked-about and pressing topics in the arable farming sector. Elisabeth Mork-Eidem, group events director at AgriBriefing, which owns the CropTec Show, said: “CropTec continues to deliver a high quality audience in a challenging year. Registrations were on par with last year despite the industry being faced with the consequences of one of the wettest autumns in living memory, the uncertainty over Brexit and a general election looming. “However, farming is a long-term business, and the mood amongst our visitors, which includes some of the most progressive farmers and their advisers, was one of resilience. “They came to CropTec to catch up on and discuss the latest developments in the arable sector and to network with some of the best minds in the business. Judging by the intensity and quality of conversations on the trade stands, and the packed seminar sessions, they found plenty of information to help overcome current and future challenges to help make their businesses more robust. “None of this would be possible without the support from our exhibitors and visitors, and those who contributed to the seminars and knowledge hubs. We are very grateful to all of them.”
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16 | Farming Monthly | December 2019
Some of the most important agronomy topics in the arable sector came under the spotlight in the one of the most comprehensive knowledge exchange events in the UK agricultural calendar. CropTec’s highly informative seminar programmes involved 16 speakers covering four key areas – crop establishment, crop nutrition, crop protection and crop breeding. Each session examined how the application of science, research, new technology and knowledge exchange could help the UK crop production industry remain profitable. In addition, CropTec’s popular Knowledge Hubs, a series of quickfire presentations delivered by leading farmers and industry specialists, provided key takeaway messages. Four popular hubs returned – the role of biosolutions in crop protection, blackgrass control, optimising OSR establishment, and the latest spray application technology, while two new highly topical hubs, slug behaviour and control and management strategies to boost soil health proved a strong draw. The largest sprayer demonstration yet also drew a stream of visitors keen to try out their pick of the 11 machines from leading manufacturers. CropTec also offered a total of 12 BASIS and NRoSO points, reflecting the value that these well-respected independent training bodies put on show attendance. Plenty of members took advantage of the associated knowledge trails, involving 28 exhibitors offering points for successful completion of activities on their stands. Cambridge farmer David White said he was pleased to attend CropTec again this year in three roles, farmer, exhibitor and speaker. “As RTK Farming director we have supported
the CropTec Show since its early days and it is without doubt one of our most important shows of the year. On the RTK stand we met many of our subscribers and informed other farmers to our signal offer in their areas. “The varied and topical seminars were again well supported as was the Soil Hub on the BASE UK (Biodiversity Agriculture Soil and Environment)/Direct Driller magazine stand where I was asked to be on two of the panels discussing aspects of Conservation Agriculture. “The Peterborough Show ground has excellent facilities and is the perfect location for a winter show of this nature. I look forward to attending again next year.” Simon Parker of Corteva Agriscience UK and Ireland said: “There was a great buzz about our stand at CropTec with farmers and trade wanting to know about our current and future pipeline as well as seeking advice on which products to use in a season that is already presenting many challenges for our customers.” Horsch UK’s Stephen Burcham said: “CropTec has again proved to be a very successful event for us enabling us to meet the professionals of the farming industry. The seminars again provided some thought provoking information in a very difficult autumn.” Garford’s Harry Coppin said: “CropTec is a very good show – we met some fantastic people and had great conversations about low soil disturbance mechanical weed control.” Cambridgeshire-based farmer and contractor Matt Redman said: “CropTec is a great little show that specialise in all sorts of technology coming forward. It’s a great opportunity to talk to people on the know in the stands, and to talk to speakers at the seminars
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