Tramlines

You've got the data, so what?
Today we’re recording live from Cereals 2026 at Diddly Squat Farm. Agrii has just unveiled its vision for the Smart Connected Farm - a system designed to help farmers harness data, technology, and expert insight to improve decision-making and drive performance.
In this episode, Rachel Watling National Marketing Manager at Agrii takes you on a tour of the concept, exploring how people, research, seed, nutrition, and digital tools all connect to create a more profitable and resilient farming business.
Stations:
Agronomy - Kathryn Styan
R&D - Ruth Mann & Jonathan Trotter
Seed - John Miles & Rob Stuart 
Nutrition - Tom Land
Digital - Ben Foster & Jonny Kerley 
Podcast summary:
The Smart Connected Farm is a system designed to help farmers improve profitability, and navigate the digital tools available - from sensors to satellite imagery 
People remain central: agronomists use data and AI to enhance (not replace) expert, on-the-ground decision-making.
Significant R&D investment (450+ trials annually) enables Agrii to reduce risk and provide proven, field-scale insights to growers.
A joined-up approach across seed, nutrition, and agronomy allows more precise, early-stage decision-making to improve crop performance.
Digital platforms like Contour bring complex data together into simple, actionable insights to drive profitability and compliance.
Download insight report: www.agrii.co.uk/insights/smart-connected-farms/

Oilseed rape is showing signs of a comeback, with planted area rising significantly last autumn and renewed confidence building across the industry. But with ongoing challenges and changing conditions, is it really back as a profitable option for UK farms?
In this episode, we’re joined by Agrii’s oilseed rape specialists Ian Davey and Will Sanderson.
to explore the latest insights on varieties, establishment, and risk management - you decide whether OSR has a place in your rotation this autumn.
Confidence is returning: improved establishment, reduced pest pressure, and stronger prices are driving renewed interest in OSR.
Profitability goes beyond the crop: OSR remains a valuable break crop, boosting the performance of following cereals.
Establishment is everything: success hinges on moisture, timing, and strong early growth in the first 4–6 weeks.
Success comes from marginal gains: integrated strategies like Agrii’s eight-point plan help manage risk layer by layer.
Variety choice is about risk, not just yield: traits like vigour, disease resilience, and stem health are critical for consistent performance.

In this episode of Tramlines, we head to Emery Soft Fruits Ltd in Hampshire to explore how growers are producing high-quality strawberries and raspberries in an increasingly challenging environment. As reliance on synthetic chemistry declines, integrated pest management (IPM) is taking centre stage. Joined by expert Matt Greep, Horticultural Agronomist at Agrii and Simon Beasley UK Sales Manager, at Bioline, we uncover how biological controls, pollinators and proactive strategies are helping growers stay ahead of pests, improve sustainability, and deliver consistent, premium fruit to UK consumers.
IPM is now central to modern soft fruit production
Consistent quality and flavour drive every decision
Proactive monitoring keeps pest pressure under control
Pollinators improve fruit shape, yield and uniformity
Building beneficial insect populations lowers costs long term

From rising machinery costs to variable rate technology and connected farm platforms, this episode of Tramlines explores how growers can improve machinery performance, reduce waste, and make more informed investment decisions.
In this episode of Tramlines, host Tony Smith is joined by farm business consultant Paul Pickford, Jonny Kerley from Origin Digital, and Ben Foster from RHIZA to discuss one of the biggest financial pressures facing UK farming businesses: machinery investment.
With farms in England spending £2.3 billion on machinery in 2023/24, according to DEFRA, the discussion focuses on how growers can improve returns from machinery through better data, improved connectivity, more efficient operations, and a clearer understanding of true operating costs.
Podcast Summary:
Why UK farm machinery investment has slowed despite increasing operational pressures
The true cost of machinery ownership and why many businesses still underestimate it
How telematics and connected platforms are improving machinery efficiency on farm
Why idle time and machine utilisation matter more than ever in tight-margin farming
The growing role of data and connectivity in future machinery purchasing decisions

Farming conditions in the UK are becoming more variable. While there may be opportunities from improved growing conditions in some seasons, these are increasingly offset by extremes such as drought, flooding and unpredictable weather patterns.
In this Tramlines podcast episode, we explore what resilience means in practice and how farm businesses can adapt. The discussion brings together climate science and practical agronomy to help inform decision-making on farm.
Leading the discussion is Dr Mike Rivington of the James Hutton Institute and Andrew Richards, Senior Agronomist at Agrii.
 
Podcast Summary:
What future climate conditions could look like for UK farming, and why variability matters more than averages
The practical impact of drought, flooding and seasonal extremes on crop performance
How soil structure and organic matter underpin water management and resilience
Where investment decisions, such as drainage, can influence yield and long-term returns
How to approach crop and variety choice in less predictable conditions
The role of modelling and data in supporting better on-farm decisions
Why resilience is as much about business and mindset as it is about agronomy