The NFU has teamed up with Innovation for Agriculture (IfA) and Warwickshire Rural Hub to focus on the potential that precision agriculture has for the industry and the next generation of livestock farmers.

Under the strapline, ‘A series of events on precision farming for progressive farmers’, the free events and workshops will cover both beef and sheep production, followed by a conference for delegates to look at the future for producers.

• October 22, Sheep at Moreton Morrell College: Precision breeding and electronic identification as a means to increase production.

• November 19, Beef at Reins Farm, Redditch: Enhancing productivity through targeted breeding and feeding.

• December 3, Livestock conference, Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh Park: Using technology across the supply chain to meet market demands, future technologies and their impacts on farm businesses.

NFU livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: “The future of our industry is in both adapting to meet the market, and in making use of new technologies. How we farm now is streets away from how our forefathers farmed, and how our sons and daughters farm is going to be different once again.

“These events provide an opportunity to not only hear and see about different farm business’s experiences of precision agriculture and making use of technology, but also to meet and network with likeminded people. Technology will never be a substitute for good stockmanship, but it is an essential tool in the box for the modern farming business.”

Charlotte Johnson, livestock specialist for IfA, said: “The events focus on enhancing farm productivity and profitability. With increasing costs of production, anything that improves on-farm efficiencies from time management, up-to-date records, to early disease indicators, are sure to be a huge asset to any business.”