Agriculture careers inspire the next generation – Farmers Weekly

Farmers Weekly was at the New Scientist Live event in London (7-9 October) showcasing cutting-edge farming methods to the public and delving into the fundamentals of food production. 

The “Future of Food & Agriculture: Feeding the World Sustainably” stand showcased our industry through a variety of interactive exhibits.

Combine and tractor simulators offered an immersive, in-cab experience, and visitors could also see innovative harvesting and water collection demonstrations. 

See also: Research targets pheromones to control key arable pests

Sustainable future 

Alongside our partners, we set out to address the question of how we can feed the world sustainably.

KWS challenged showgoers to match the seed to the food product, aiming to raise awareness of the processes behind food production. 

Gill Covey, spring wheat specialist, said: “People know barley and beer, but they don’t connect other crops to the food available in the supermarket.”  

Long lines formed as people waited for a chance to sit in a Fendt forager, and play on the state-of-the-art simulators – complete with steering wheel and pedals. 

Andrew Duguid, Agco’s technical trainer for Fendt, said people were surprised by how complex the machinery is.

“I didn’t have a background in farming, and before I got involved I thought ‘how complicated can a tractor be?’

“But tractors are just as technologically advanced as a modern car, and a lot of people don’t know it.”  

Next generation of farmers

The Future of Food & Agriculture offered exciting ways for children to understand what it takes to be a farmer.

Dr Kareemah Chopra from the University of Essex showcased how sensor technology can help monitor unusual cattle movements. 

“The kids love playing with the sensor systems, tracking themselves on the screen and making movement graphs,” she said.

“We want children to know they could still be a farmer, even if they prefer maths and science to being outside.”  

Sebastian, aged nine, was over the moon to sit in the tractor, which towered high above his head.  

“I might be a farmer when I’m older,” he said. “I like looking after cows and sheep. It’s hard work but it seems fun. I’d definitely rather be in the harvester than at school!”  

Food production centre stage 

Agricultural speakers on the main Our Planet stage, which hosted dozens of talks over the three days, focused on the changes coming to food production.

Tom MacMillan from the Royal Agricultural University explored how cultured meat could offer more opportunities for farming, and Harper Adams University’s Kit Franklin demonstrated the fully autonomous cropping cycle of the Hands Free Hectare system.

The audience heard how the project started with 1ha in 2016 and has now broadened out to a 35ha farm.