Latest International Opportunities
June 1, 2025
No Comments
Find out about current international funding opportunities to get support and help accelerate agri-tech aspirations
Find out about current international funding opportunities to get support and help accelerate agri-tech aspirations
The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s South West Dairy Development Centre (SWDDC) offers state-of-the-art facilities for research, development and demonstration. With a focus on optimising productivity, the centre gathers more data points on individual cows than any other herd in the country to trial agri-tech and new approaches, all while upholding the highest standards of animal health and welfare through technological integration. SWDDC is home to Steanbow Farms’ herd of 200 dairy cows, which makes up an all-year-round calving herd. The data points collected at the centre give a holistic view of the impact that emerging technology has on cow health, welfare and production. Herd fertility at the centre is excellent, which is reflected in current fertility KPI’s with a submission rate to AI at 80%, current conception rate at 45% and an above industry standard pregnancy rate of 35%. The cows make their own decisions on when to eat, sleep and get milked, which leads to a calm, contented herd and an efficient system that helps to enhance cow health and welfare. Mike Jones, Dairy Technical Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, compares the barn and herd to a “happy family on a cruise liner holiday”. The precision grazing system at the SWDDC is a model of efficiency, managing grazing with cow tracks, electric fenced paddocks and a grazing gate across a 42-hectare (104-acre) platform. SWDDC boasts the UK’s first fabric-roofed building, featuring a translucent roof material that transmits 20% of natural light and lightweight steel uprights. A significant upgrade in 2022 saw the relocation of robots to enhance operational efficiency. An upstairs meeting room allows visitors to observe the herd from above, watching them being fed automatically and seeing the cows in a relaxed and calm state. The facility provides an unparalleled environment for developing, testing and demonstrating new technologies and techniques. It supports sustainable, efficient, high-health and welfare and cost-effective milk production. The centre is involved in various innovative projects, including: In 2024, the centre welcomed 1,039 visitors who witnessed firsthand the power of robotics and sensor technology combined with state-of-the-art housing and precision grazing. To learn more or get involved with the South West Dairy Development Centre, contact Dairy Technical Manager Mike Jones at mike.jones@ukagritechcentre.com.
Plasma technology within the agri-tech sector is a sustainable, chemical-free tool with the potential to improve crop production, plant health and fertiliser systems. Already widely applied in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing and electronics, plasma is now being investigated for its potential to deliver environmental and economic benefits across agriculture. Plasma is often referred to as the fourth state of matter — a charged, energetic state formed when gases like air are exposed to an electric field. When gas is energised to a certain point, electrons are stripped from atoms, resulting in a mix of free electrons and ions. This makes plasma electrically conductive and responsive to magnetic fields. Natural examples of plasma include lightning and the Northern and Southern Lights. In agriculture, these can be used to treat seeds, reduce pathogens, promote plant growth or even synthesise nitrogen fertiliser. Most notably, plasma-activated water (PAW) and on-farm plasma-based fertiliser systems are emerging as viable alternatives to conventional seed treatments, pesticides and nitrogen fertilisers. The UK Agri-Tech Centre is currently supporting innovation in this space through research, business engagement and technology demonstration, working with companies and consortia aiming to bring plasma closer to widespread on-farm application. Plasma in practice While plasma technology remains in the early stages of adoption within agriculture, interest is growing. Cold plasma, generated at low temperatures, is being explored for its ability to enhance plant growth and resilience. By treating seeds and crops with cold plasma, farmers can potentially reduce the need for chemical fertilisers and pesticides. PAW, created by exposing water and ambient air to cold plasma, has shown promise as a natural, residue-free treatment for seeds and crops. Its antimicrobial properties can support disease control, while its ability to stimulate seed germination and root growth positions it as a potential alternative to chemical inputs. Similarly, new systems for producing fertiliser directly on farm using plasma and slurry are being explored as part of a shift towards circular, lower-emission production methods. These technologies align with wider ambitions to reduce reliance on imported fertilisers and improve the sustainability of nutrient management. Industry innovation The potential for plasma in agriculture is being actively explored by several UK-based organisations, some of which are working in collaboration with the UK Agri-Tech Centre and Innovate UK. Looking ahead As pressures mount to reduce synthetic input use, lower emissions, and improve soil health, plasma technology offers a potential route to achieving more sustainable and circular agricultural systems. However, to move from promise to practice, greater focus will be required on technical optimisation, integration with existing farm infrastructure and clearer regulation. Despite these opportunities, several technical, economic and regulatory challenges remain. Plasma systems are often energy-intensive and many have yet to be proven at scale in real-world agricultural settings. Further work is needed to understand the biological interactions, refine delivery mechanisms and build robust, science-led regulatory frameworks to support commercialisation. With targeted research, continued innovation and support from industry networks, plasma-based solutions could play a valuable role in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of UK agriculture in the years to come. If you want to learn more about plasma technology or have any questions, please get in touch via info@ukagritechcentre.com
That was the question UK Agri-Tech Centre Chairman, Dr Peter Quinn explored in front of an audience of Scottish ministers, MSPs and representatives of Scotland’s rural industry at the Scottish Parliament. So how do we drive agri-innovation for a Net Zero Scotland? Peter writes: It was a privilege to speak in the heart of Scottish democracy about one of the defining challenges of our generation: how we feed a growing global population, while radically reducing emissions and restoring our ecosystems. I was invited to address MSPs and invited guests from across Scotland’s rural sector as part of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society’s 2025 Presidential Initiative which is highlighting the ways the ways that agriculture is supporting the environment as well as how Scotland’s research institutes and organisations are helping the country to reach its Net Zero targets. It aims to promote Scottish farming as a part of the solution rather than the problem. I also believe that Scotland has the science, the innovation infrastructure and the rooted farming traditions to lead the way. Let’s not sugarcoat the challenge: globally the population is projected to rise by 20% to nearly one billion by 2050. Here in the UK, we are looking at a 13% increase to around 77 million people. And the growth isn’t linear: by 2032, we’ll see a 9% global rise and 7.3% here in the UK. Meanwhile, agriculture uses 70% of the world’s freshwater, emits 25% of all greenhouse gases and occupies 44% of habitable land. In the UK 70% of our land is formed but we still import 40% of the food we eat. And crucially, Total Factor Productivity – a key measure of innovation and efficiency in farming – has dropped by over 5% in the UK over the past year. We’re falling behind key competitors. This is more than a climate emergency; it’s an economic and strategic opportunity to re-imagine how we produce food smarter, cleaner and more locally. The role of innovation Innovation is how we turn ambition into action. At the UK Agri-Tech Centre we’ve focused on three priorities. 1: better measurement, because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it; 2: faster adoption of proven low emission technologies, from soil to stomach; and 3: maximising carbon removal without compromising food security. Let’s take livestock: ruminants produce nearly 90% of UK missions but we now have feeds, genetic tools and manual management systems that can reduce emissions dramatically by targeting methane production directly. In crops, fertiliser is the major emitter. Innovations like green ammonia, biological alternatives and better nitrogen use efficiency can shift the dial. And across the board, breakthroughs in data, senses and satellite-linked decision tools are making carbon-smart farming a reality. This isn’t science fiction, it’s science now, but to scale it we need investment, regulation and collaboration to reach Net Zero. Scotland’s innovation ecosystem Scotland is punching well above its weight when it comes to agricultural innovation. At the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, we’ve helped establish a world-leading controlled environment agriculture hub, a state-of-the-art facility for sustainable, tech-driven farming. On Loch Fyne, our Marine Aquaculture Innovation Centre (MAIC) supports cutting-edge R&D and fish health, feeds and environmental impact. Our mobile sensory laboratory takes advanced quality testing tools directly to farms, capturing real-world data that informs breeding market decisions. And through Scotland’s farm network and research partnerships we are proving that breakthrough science can be grounded in practical, on-farm realities. Take iLivestock, for example. It’s a Scottish agri-tech company we’ve supported throughout its growth. With investment from Scottish Enterprise and Kelvin Capital, they’ve tripled their workforce, increased monthly revenue tenfold and now export 78% of their product overseas. Their platform cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 30% by optimising nutrition and life-cycle management, validated by the University of Edinburgh. That’s Net Zero innovation: creating jobs, exports and measurable climate benefit. Policy opportunity But innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Scotland’s Net Zero 2045 target is bold. It’s national innovation strategy is ambitious. Now the task is to align policy with practice. That means enabling precision tech and smart data tools, investing in climate focused businesses and removing regulatory roadblocks that hold back sustainable progress. It means making sure that Scottish science can translate into Scottish solutions for our farmers, food system and future, and it includes exploring technologies like precision-breeding ,approached in a way that reflects our values, our world-class science and our need to stay globally competitive. Above all, it means putting farmers at the centre, not just as adopters but as co-creators of this transition. Scotland has the science, it has the innovators and it has the will. Through smart policy, bold investment and collaborative partnerships like those we’ve built across the UK Agri-Tech Centre network we can turn climate risk into economic opportunity. Because if we get this right, we won’t just hit Net Zero, we’ll build a food system that’s productive, profitable and sustainable for generations to come.
Farmers, growers and foresters in England can now apply for a new round of funding to help trial and test practical solutions to real on-farm challenges, with fully funded, free support from the ADOPT Support Hub. The ADOPT Fund – funded by DEFRA and delivered by Innovate UK – is designed to back farmer-led innovation. Whether it’s trialling a new technology or testing a change in practice, ADOPT offers the funding and support to make it happen. What’s on offer? There are two types of grants available: Support grants (up to £2,500): These help applicants explore their idea and work with a project facilitator to shape a strong proposal. Full grants (up to £100,000): To support farmer-led, collaborative research and innovation projects over 6 months to 24 months. Why this matters The ADOPT Fund is different from previous innovation funding. It’s farmer-led, but collaborative – bringing in others like advisers, researchers, tech providers and other like-minded farmers to help turn your idea into something ready to be adopted more widely in the agricultural community. It’s also focused on practical impact, not just theory. That means funding is aimed at real-world challenges, everyday technology, practices and ideas that aren’t yet widely adopted but could make a difference. You’re not expected to go it alone We understand that most farmers haven’t applied for this kind of funding before. That’s why the ADOPT Support Hub is launching alongside the fund. The Support Hub is fully funded and free to use, providing you with the guidance, resources and connections you need at every step. The Support Hub is here to help you: Whether you’re just exploring an idea or ready to apply, the Support Hub provides the guidance, resources and connections to support you at every step. What is a Project Facilitator? All projects applying for ADOPT competitions must include a Project Facilitator to support project delivery and management. Project facilitators are independent experts who play a required and central role in all ADOPT-funded projects. They bring experience in farmer-led research, Innovate UK grant processes and project management. The ADOPT Support Hub can guide you on how to connect with a suitable registered facilitator – or help you understand how to work with someone you already know, as long as they meet the criteria. We want to hear from you We’re actively encouraging applications across the full spectrum of farming types, regions and communities. Whether you’re a grower, forester, livestock farmer, arable producer or part of a local farming group – we want to hear your ideas, challenges and opportunities. If you’ve got a hunch that something could be improved on-farm, this is your chance to try it with support. Interested in becoming a Project Facilitator? For information, visit the Facilitator FAQ’s on the Business Connect site.
Hemsworth Farm, run by Sophie Alexander, is a 500-hectare organic farm in Dorset, combining arable and dairy farming with a strong focus on sustainability. Certified organic since 2014, the farm prioritises soil health, biodiversity and regenerative practices. In 2020, Sophie introduced a herd of 300 Viking Red heifers as part of a broader effort to enhance ecological balance, improve soil fertility and support the long-term resilience of the farming system. Innovation story Recognising the critical role of biodiversity in sustainable agriculture, Hemsworth Farm collaborated on the Biodiversity Monitoring 24/7 Project funded by Innovate UK and DEFRA’s Farming Innovation Programme in an early-stage investigation into how technology can be used to monitor biodiversity in agriculture. This project aimed to test and demonstrate the effectiveness of digital technology for remote wildlife monitoring in a farming context. Three separate remote sensing digital technologies were deployed to detect, identify and quantify varieties of invertebrates and birds, correlating their presence to the flowering plants they rely on. The project provided valuable insights into pollinator activity across different areas of the farm. The highest levels of pollinator activity were recorded in a flowering forage crop, which attracted 21.6% of the total insect activity. This was likely due to the crop’s rich nectar supply, making it more attractive to pollinators than other areas such as permanent pastures and herbal grass mixes. Sensors allowed for continuous, real-time data collection, helping to build a clearer picture of where and when pollinators are most active. These findings highlight how digital monitoring technology can support biodiversity assessments and help farmers make informed decisions about land management to benefit both wildlife and food production. “Collaboration is key to making this technology as useful as possible. By combining multiple monitoring techniques, we can make data-driven decisions that support biodiversity, improve farm resilience and ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.” – Sophie Alexander Collaboration and support The project brought together several key partners: If you would like to learn more about Hemsworth Farm and its work, please get in touch via info@ukagritechcentre.com
A project is underway to explore how kelp extracts can enhance nutrient management in agriculture, backed by Innovate UK funding and a coalition of industry experts. The project, titled ‘Assessing Sugar Kelp Extracts as a Nutrient Management Tool’ (SKE-NMT), is spearheaded by Algapelago Marine Ltd in collaboration with The James Hutton Institute, Atlantic Mariculture Ltd and the UK Agri-Tech Centre. In its early phases, this research seeks to investigate how biologically driven nutrient management strategies can improve soil health and crop performance. By leveraging the natural properties of seaweed biostimulants and reducing reliance on mineral fertilisers, the project aims to foster plant resilience while optimising soil microbial and fungal ecosystems. Seaweed supplements contain a uniquely rich blend of fibres, micronutrients and bioactive compounds that stimulate beneficial soil microbiota. This, in turn, triggers a chain reaction of biological processes that benefit productivity, resistance to abiotic stress and resistance to pathogens. This innovative approach is applicable across a broad range of crop types, including broadacre, horticulture and top fruit. Seaweed biostimulants present a viable solution to both biotic and abiotic challenges, facilitating the transition toward more sustainable and resilient farming practices. The research will also lay the groundwork for larger-scale field trials, further investigating the impact of kelp-derived biostimulants on Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE). How does it work? Rhizosphere microbiota is a collection of microorganisms that live in the soil and around plant roots and plays an essential role in the degradation of organic matter, nutrient retention and recycling. Previous studies suggest that applying seaweed extracts can significantly enhance microbial diversity and improve crop yield and quality. The SKE-NMT project builds upon prior research, including an Innovate UK-supported initiative on low-energy kelp extraction for soil and livestock applications. This project is examining the potential of biostimulants and livestock feed additives—derived from sugar kelp through an innovative low-energy extraction process—to improve soil conditions and enhance feed efficiency. The seaweed extracts are novel due to two key factors: firstly, cultivated sugar kelp (a type of brown alga native to UK coastal waters), is a relatively new species in the seaweed extract sector and boasts a distinct biochemical composition; secondly, these extracts are produced using a novel low-energy fermentation and extraction process. Cultivated kelp provides a sustainable and scalable alternative to wild-harvested marine biomass. However, the potential of novel cultivated seaweed biomass, especially in applications like biostimulants, remains under-explored. This project seeks to establish an innovative supply chain where cultivated seaweed biomass plays a crucial role in the transition to global sustainable agricultural practices. The new SKE-NMT project will quantify the ability of these low-energy seaweed extracts to improve nutrient use efficiency in stringently designed crop trials. These trials will explore yield responses under reduced nitrate and phosphate conditions and correlate improved uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus under fertiliser limitation with impacts on microbial diversity and community structure.The project will merge the development of new technologies (novel seaweed extracts) with further means to improve nutrient use efficiency in arable and horticultural systems. Broader impacts Traditional nutrient management practices often rely on heavy mineral fertiliser inputs, which can lead to environmental degradation and high costs. Integrating seaweed-derived supplements could improve NUE, reducing carbon emissions while simultaneously enriching soil fertility. With UK farmers under increasing pressure to maintain productivity while mitigating nutrient leaching and reducing fertiliser dependency, this project aims to validate the role of cultivated kelp extracts in improving NUE. Luke Ansell, Head of Operations at Algapelago Marine Ltd, said: “We’re thrilled to have secured funding for a second Innovate UK project focused on the development of kelp biostimulants. The project aims to address data gaps and build the evidence case for the role of cultivated seaweed extracts in modern crop production. The SKE-NMT will test the hypothesis that sugar kelp extracts can improve plant nutrient use efficiency here in the UK.” Dr Adrian Macleod, Innovation Manager at Atlantic Mariculture Ltd, added: “We are delighted to have been provided this opportunity by Innovate UK. Seaweed aquaculture is a game-changer for sustainable food systems, and I’m passionate about unlocking its full potential. Cultivated seaweed biomass offers a scalable, sustainable solution that not only supports marine ecosystems but could also play a vital role in sustainable agriculture. This project is an exciting step forward in demonstrating how seaweed biostimulants can enhance soil health, improve nutrient efficiency and reduce reliance on conventional fertilisers. By developing an innovative supply chain, we are laying the groundwork for a future where cultivated seaweed is a cornerstone of both aquaculture and agriculture.” Gordon McDougall, Research Leader at the James Hutton Institute, said: “We are delighted to bring our expertise in seaweed biochemistry, biostimulants and crop trials to this important research project. Understanding how these novel low-energy seaweed extracts can reduce inputs of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers, maintain or improve crop yield whilst altering the soil microbiota could provide new approaches for greener agriculture.” And Martin Sutcliffe, Innovation Lead for Aquaculture at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, commented: “The UK seaweed farming sector has great potential to meet the needs of other sectors such as arable farming. Projects like this can provide real-world use cases for seaweed farmers, enabling sustainable growth of seaweed farming in the UK which, in turn, can provide well-paid, long-term jobs in our coastal communities, helping to shift away from the current boom-and-bust cycle of seasonal employment. I’m really excited to see the results of this work and how, together with similar projects the UK Agri-Tech Centre is working on, we can move towards a more resilient, sustainable food system in the UK.” This initiative underscores the growing importance of seaweed-derived biostimulants in sustainable agriculture, positioning cultivated kelp as a valuable resource for improving soil health, nutrient efficiency and overall farm productivity. If you would like to learn more about the SKE-NMT project, please get in touch via info@ukagritechcentre.com.
Agribot’s technology revolutionises pasture-based dairy farming by using satellite data to measure and forecast grass growth. Combining satellite remote sensing, climate modelling and AI, it provides farmers with precise, timely insights to optimise grazing and improve environmental sustainability with minimal manual effort.
Experts from the UK Agri-Tech Centre recently joined an engaging discussion on the Poultry.Network’s podcast, delving into science-led research, sustainability and the challenges facing the poultry industry today. Dr Fiona Short and Paddy Tarbuck, both Innovation Leads at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, sat down with Tom Willings for a special edition of the Sustainability Hub podcast.
Building on the momentum from a successful knowledge scoping and networking initiative in 2023/24, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has recently completed a bilateral programme of knowledge exchange visits between the UK and Spain.2
We’re focused on all areas of crops, livestock and engineering and exploring new sectors within food, feed, fuel and fibres.
Join a diverse community from industry and science, committed to transforming UK food and farming. Doing better for businesses, the future of the agri-food sector and the planet.
We welcome all enquiries, fill in the form and we’ll be in touch.
© Copyright the UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd. 2025
