Thousands of farmers and agronomists took in the recent CropTec Show, at the East of England Showground, where a wide array of innovation and expertise was on show.

More than 170 exhibitors attended the show, providing a mix of new technology, crop science and services, while a seminar programme and a comprehensive line-up of knowledge hubs provided key takeaway technical messages.

Some of the most important agronomy topics in the arable sector came under the spotlight in the one of the most comprehensive knowledge exchange events in the UK agricultural calendar.

Many exhibitors chose CropTec to launch new or improved products or to highlight latest research. A taster of what was on offer follows:

Field data:

Advances in field data management was a key theme – xarvio showed its Field Manager crop production optimisation system, which is new to the UK and it provides field-specific insights into crop status of crops.

Visitors were able to preview the latest version of Geofolia, the data management system from Landmark Systems, which will be available next year, as well as the recently released Greenscan crop satellite image analysis feature, included as standard within the Geofolia package.

Hutchinsons’ recently launched TerraMap soil scanning system made its CropTec debut. Results are used in conjunction with additional field information to create variable rate plans.

SOYL launched a suite of new analysis tools that supply growers with a range of financial performance metrics across their land and the farm rotation.

DataConnect is a new cloud-to-cloud system created by Claas, field mapping specialist 365FarmNet and John Deere, enabling customers to exchange data via a common interface as well as control and monitor their entire machinery fleet.

Hutchinsons has been collaborating with leading machinery and data management systems such as Claas, Väderstad and Muddy Boots, enabling users of its Omnia Precision Agronomy to benefit from much improved streamlined data connection.

Sly Agri’s Precision Planting 20/20 Seed Sense system drew a lot of attention. This links sensors measuring soil organic matter, soil moisture, cation exchange (soil type) and residue in furrow (to indicate hairpinning) to specially designed coulters that enable automatic adjustment of seed depth, rate, and amount of fertiliser to suit conditions.

Alternative weed control:

Horsch promoted its new Hybrid Farming System which aims to provide a solution to weed control without glyphosate, by combining the best practices of organic farming and conventional farming.

Garford Farm Machinery highlighting through videos and literature the latest development of its guided hoe at CropTec that uses the company’s Robocrop guidance system for high accuracy and high output.

Claydon developed two new heavy-duty models of its TerraBlade inter-row hoe designed to provide low-cost, mechanical weeding in combinable, band-sown crops.

Rothamsted Research launched a new improved version of its Croprotect app at the event to provide guidance on pest, weed and disease management, especially where effective pesticides are not available.

New sprayers:

Two larger sprayers models in Vicon’s latest trailed range, the iXtrack T-series, made their debut. The iXtrack T4 comes with 3400, 4000 and 4600-litre tank sizes, and the range-topping iXtrack T6 model boasts 7200 litres.

APV’s Liquid Fertilizer LF 600 M1 front-mounted applicator also made its show debut.

Soil health:

Fera's Big Soil Community aims to provide farmers with the right knowledge to help maintain or improve soil health and grow healthier crops while adapting to climate change and other environmental variables.

Cranfield University highlighted a BBSRC-funded study, 'Using roots to bio-engineer soil'. This aims to develop a framework to select and combine complementary root traits in cover crops that prevent soil resource losses and improve crop growth conditions.