John Hill and Eden Muzzall of E and J Farming t/a Lancashire Lamb Boxes in the outskirts of Lancaster have secured a prestigious funding grant from Innovate UK, a division of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). Their project, developed in collaboration with The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Myerscough College, aims to revolutionise livestock farming in less favoured areas by harnessing the power of drones and artificial intelligence (AI) software.
The project’s primary focus is enhancing productivity and sustainability in livestock management through advanced technology. These tools enable the monitoring of livestock temperature changes, facilitating the identification of cows in their mating season and supporting a more concentrated calving period. By detecting potential issues early on, drones and AI provide farmers with timely and accurate information, improving animal health, welfare, and productivity while potentially reducing antibiotic use and mortality rates.
The project aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Improve Productivity: By reducing the time spent covering large areas, farmers can allocate their efforts to other essential aspects of their businesses, thereby enhancing overall productivity.
- Enhance Sustainability: Reducing reliance on fossil-fuelled vehicles aligns with sustainability goals and contributes to achieving net-zero emissions, benefiting the environment.
- Increase Farm Resilience: Streamlining operations and harnessing robust data analytics will enhance farm resilience, enabling informed decision-making and effective adaptation.
A crucial aspect of the project is ensuring the accessibility of drone technology for all farmers. In collaboration with UCLan, E and J Farming will pioneer ‘drone in a box’ solutions, simplifying deployment and operation. User experience specialists will design an intuitive interface, reducing the learning curve for farmers and unlocking the technology’s full potential. Additionally, knowledge transfer plays a fundamental role in delivering substantial benefits to the wider agricultural community. Myerscough College will disseminate the project results through presentations at conferences, events, and various other platforms within agriculture.
In addition, this project has garnered the support of other local organisations. Beanstalk Business Centre CIC stands alongside the project lead, offering invaluable expertise in innovation management and collaborating with the Myerscough College projects team to drive impactful knowledge transfer activities. Lancaster Farmgate Veterinary Services adds their invaluable consultation, assessment, and evaluation, contributing to the publication of trial results and orchestrating the synchronization of the fertility cycle of two heifers with software programming.
This prestigious funding award from Innovate UK acknowledges the transformative potential of E and J Farming’s innovative solution and validates their commitment to driving positive change in the livestock farming industry. Through their embrace of technology, they are shaping a better future for farmers, animals, and the environment.
Innovate UK
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation is the UK’s innovation agency. They work to create a better future by inspiring, involving, and investing in businesses developing life-changing innovations. With an annual budget of over £ 1 billion, they provide businesses with the expertise, facilities, and funding they need to test, demonstrate and evolve their ideas, driving UK productivity and economic growth.