Farmers have a growing range of tools to improve crop management, from precision sprayers and sensor technology to AI-powered forecasts.  But can these tools help reduce reliance on pesticides, while maintaining productivity and crop health? AHDB hosted a seminar at the Cereals Event to find out. 

“Decision support systems are software tools that help individuals and organisations make better decisions and improve management practices,” explained crop protection scientist Siobhan Hillman. “One example is our Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus T-sum management tool, which helps farmers assess risk based on local conditions. Because aphid migration is temperature-dependent, the tool can indicate when and where the risk is highest - allowing growers to target interventions more effectively.” 

Another digital development is the mycotoxin rainfall risk tool, which runs from June to mid-harvest, a critical period for cereal growers. “Rainfall is a key factor influencing mycotoxin levels in grain,” said Ms Hillman. “This tool uses local weather data to give farmers a real-time risk score based on their location, helping them make informed decisions around harvest timing and grain testing.” 

Building on the theme of targeted disease management, AHDB also showcased its phoma leaf spot forecast, designed to support autumn spray decisions in oilseed rape (OSR). “Early detection of phoma in OSR is key,” explained Ms Hillman. “This tool uses local temperature and rainfall data to model the risk of infection, giving growers region-specific insights throughout the season.” 

By allowing users to filter by region and compare disease risk between years, the forecast helps farmers spot trends and act accordingly, spraying only when needed - thereby avoiding unnecessary costs. 

Also highlighted was the sclerotinia infection risk alert tool for OSR, which monitors conditions across 100 different sites. “This tool tracks temperature, humidity, and infection risk over the past 24 hours and predicts the next 72 hours,” explained Ms Hillman. “Once relative humidity reaches 80% or higher, combined with temperatures above 7°C, the tool activates risk alerts. This helps growers know when protective measures should be taken.” 

Field Bee GPS 

As agricultural technology advances, it’s becoming increasingly rare to find large farms not making use of automation such as GPS guidance systems. Now, a new European innovation - developed in Poland and showcased at the Cereals Event - is bringing that same cutting-edge capability to small and mid-sized farms, offering a locally developed alternative to global competitors. 

“Our app alone has already had over one million downloads, showing that there’s a strong interest even before customers purchase the hardware,” said Johanna Ramoser at FieldBee. “It’s more realistic than other GPS systems on the market, making it much easier for farmers of all generations to use.” 

FieldBee’s most affordable system, PowerSteer, is priced at just £1,520 and is eligible for support through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). Its versatility allows it to be used across a wide range of machinery, including tractors, combines, and more. 

Telecoms Infrastructure Partners 

Farmers who are seeking to generate a capital lump sum to invest in new technology could benefit from a new offering from Telecoms IP. Since a change in telecoms legislation in 2017, rents from telecoms masts have slumped and become more difficult to negotiate, said the firm’s Steve Froggatt. Rather than face an uncertain future, farmers can instead take a lump sum payment that’s guaranteed, even if the site is decommissioned in the years to come.  

 “We offer leases from 25 to 99 years, or a freehold option,” said Mr Froggatt. The value of the sites can vary depending on individual circumstances, however farmers can expect a lump sum of tens of thousands of pounds. “A lot of people coming to the end of their existing agreements are being offered poor terms and the threat of Tribunal,” he explained. “If you get a letter from your telecoms operator, don’t ignore it. We can offer a proposal within a week and provide a lump sum for reinvestment into your business.”