Harvesting the ‘Hands-free Hectare'
Farmer's Weekly|February 2, 2018

The ground-breaking Hands-free Hectare project (see FW issue of 24 March 2017), which sought to grow a crop using only autonomous vehicles, has come to an end with a successful harvest.

Joe Spencer
Harvesting the ‘Hands-free Hectare'

The use of smaller agricultural machines can improve soil and plant health. This has been the premise of a team of researchers from Harper Adams University and farming service company Precision Decisions in the UK. To prove the concept, the team ran the Hands-free Hectare project, becoming the first ‘farmers’ to plant, grow and harvest a crop without human intervention; only small autonomous vehicles and drones were used.

The project started in October 2016 and ended towards the end of last year.

“There’s been a focus in recent years on making farming more precise, but the larger machines the industry is using aren’t compatible with this method of working,” says Jonathan Gill, a researcher at Harper Adams University. “They’re also so heavy they’re damaging the land.”

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2, 2018 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2, 2018 من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من FARMER'S WEEKLY مشاهدة الكل
Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations
Farmer's Weekly

Meet some of the heroes behind avitourism destinations

Exploring what the Garden Route offers birdwatchers, Brian Berkman discovers some special people who run hospitable places to meet and see a variety of species.

time-read
4 mins  |
10 May 2024
What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers
Farmer's Weekly

What the Citrus Academy offers aspiring producers

Cobus du Plessis takes a look at the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa's Citrus Academy and how it is helping to develop aspiring farmers in the sector.

time-read
3 mins  |
10 May 2024
Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments.
Farmer's Weekly

Seeder kick-starts vegetation in challenging environments.

Dr George Craven of Noorspoort, Steytlerville, in the south-eastern Karoo, is successfully using a home-built 'bedstead seeder' to re-establish veld plants in an arid area, writes Roelof Bezuidenhout.

time-read
2 mins  |
10 May 2024
Sowing seeds for the future: unravelling estate planning challenges for farmers
Farmer's Weekly

Sowing seeds for the future: unravelling estate planning challenges for farmers

PJ Veldhuizen, managing director of specialist commercial law firm Gillan & Veldhuizen Inc, emphasises the critical role of legal expertise in unravelling the ins and outs of estate planning.

time-read
4 mins  |
10 May 2024
Visiting olive oil producers in Spain
Farmer's Weekly

Visiting olive oil producers in Spain

A group of agricultural journalists representing 15 member countries of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists recently visited the south of Spain to explore the agricultural operations and opportunities unique to that region. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 mins  |
10 May 2024
SA genetics ready to take on the world
Farmer's Weekly

SA genetics ready to take on the world

The South African Braunvieh has all it takes to become a serious contender in the international red meat production arena, says Gawie Naudé, owner of the award-winning Eduan Braunvieh Stud near Rhodes in the Eastern Cape. Annelie Coleman reports.

time-read
6 mins  |
10 May 2024
Local company serves farmers and communities
Farmer's Weekly

Local company serves farmers and communities

Magda du Toit writes about how a company in Limpopo is training and empowering agricultural workers.

time-read
4 mins  |
10 May 2024
Except for pork, meat prices traded lower this past month
Farmer's Weekly

Except for pork, meat prices traded lower this past month

While the local livestock industry continues to battle many challenges, an uptick in beef exports as well as the poultry industry's strides to replenish the chicken supply bode well, says Absa AgriBusiness.

time-read
3 mins  |
10 May 2024
Africa goes from net carbon sink to source
Farmer's Weekly

Africa goes from net carbon sink to source

New research shows Africa's impact on greenhouse gases and the need to focus on climate-smart agriculture, writes Jyothi Laldas.

time-read
3 mins  |
10 May 2024
Zero-residue fresh produce a reality
Farmer's Weekly

Zero-residue fresh produce a reality

Retail giants are calling for caution when using biologicals and chemical pesticides, writes Lindi Botha.

time-read
2 mins  |
10 May 2024