Robots are set to plant and weed sugar beet as farm management company Sentry seeks to improve productivity and reduce its environmental footprint.
Sentry has joined forces with
Autonomous Agri Solutions to implement the beet planting and weed control programme in partnership with British Sugar and the British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO).
Autonomous Agri Solutions imports the Robotti farm robot – an advanced autonomous robot that uses sensors and algorithms to plant seeds extremely accurately. The machine is designed to work in various soil conditions and terrains.
Sentry describes the move as a major leap towards sustainability, saying robot technology will help improve its planting efficiency, reduce the company’s carbon footprint and lower its environmental impact by reducing reliance on pesticides.
The development fits with Sentry’s mantra of optimising farm inputs and reducing waste – and doing both while looking after the soil and the surrounding environment, says Sentry director John Barrett.
Real-time
The Robotti is an ideal solution for large-scale farming operations,says Mr Barrett. In addition, its real-time monitoring capabilities enable operators to adjust planting parameters on the fly, ensuring the best possible results.
“We are taking a major step towards a more sustainable future for agriculture. This technology will not only improve our planting process, but also help to reduce our environmental impact and promote more efficient use of resources.”
British Sugar head of agriculture Andrew Dear believes the Robotti is a significant step towards more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices. He adds: “We look forward to seeing the benefits it will bring to the industry.”
The partnership is part of a larger effort between Sentry, British Sugar and the BBRO to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the sugar industry’s carbon footprint alongside the wider farming sector.
50th anniversary
The partners say the agreement shows their dedication to exploring ways innovative technology can improve the quality and yield of crops while
reducing their environmental impact.
