Attendees at the event also heard short presentations from other Agri-TechE member organisations, Delta-T with its portable soil moisture measurement device, Farmer Charlie with a new low-cost soil sensor, and Lacuna Space with a sensor that solves the connectivity anywhere problem using satellite connectivity.

Aquagrain had a different solution to sensor technology: a soil-enhancing technology that converts rendered fallen stock into a biodegradable polymer that absorbs up to 30% of its mass in water.

“The idea is that you add it to the soil or compost, and once you irrigate or it rains it absorbs water, which is slowly released and made available to plants,” explained Aquagrain chief scientific officer Arjomand Ghareghani. “By doing this you can potentially cut irrigation by up to 50%.”

The different technology showcased was well received, with Jack Smith, Technical Director at Waldersey Farms Ltd, finding the day to offer useful, practical insights.

“I came today because I’m a relatively recent subscriber to Agri-TechE, having followed all the good work they’ve done, and I’m also a keen follower of Elvedon and the good work they do,” he says.

“Water is a very prominent conversation across the board, so combine all those three things, and it made sense to come and see what the latest and greatest irrigation water technology is to, ultimately, pick up nuggets of information and good ideas that we can take home and try and replicate and scale up.”

Although Jack says Waldersey Farms prides itself on already looking at irrigation and water-use technology, he found that attending offered insights into improving their practices.

“Water efficiency and water usage is high up the agenda, but we need to keep looking and not be satisfied with what we already do.

“Some of the equipment that was on show today we are already utilising, but maybe not utilising as well as it could be used. How can we use it better? And that’s the piece, isn’t it, where you learn from other growers, other people in the industry: how do you do what you’re doing, better?”

The Demo Day series

The demo day at Elveden Estate is part of a series designed to invite farmers to explore technology firsthand and provides opportunities for technologists to present their latest innovations.

Andrew Peal, Farm Manager at Salle Farms, attended the first event and found it to be insightful.

“We’ve recently been awarded a water productivity grant for a reservoir, and managing our water resources is crucial. I’m involved with other irrigation projects elsewhere, but I’m really interested in how we can best monitor and get the most out of the products we’re applying, so whether it be water or nitrogen,” he says.

“It’s been good to catch up with some friendly faces and people I haven’t seen for a while, and I think it’s really interesting looking at the different tech that’s coming along”.

Agri-TechE will be hosting the next Demo Day later in 2026. Sign up to our events mailing to hear when the next Demo Day is announced.