| Arable
Bringing technology into the field
Laura Bouvet new Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator for Agri-Tech East & AHDB .
L aura Bouvet has been appointed Knowledge and Innovation Facilitator for Agri- Tech East and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board ( AHDB ), the first time the two organisations have collaborated in this way . As part of the new jointly funded role , Laura will support a number of innovation projects with growers – drawing on her extensive knowledge of plant pathology , genomics and advanced breeding .
Dr Belinda Clarke , Director of Agri-Tech East , comments : “ We have seen significant appetite from farmers and growers to be involved in the direction and implementation of trials of new technologies . We are looking to expand our involvement in this area .
“ Laura brings the latest knowledge of plant pathology , genomics and advanced breeding with a hands-on enthusiasm for working in the field . We think this combination will be appreciated by our members and allow us to take forward a number of projects we have been discussing .”
Richard Laverick , Chief Technical Officer of AHDB , agrees : “ Laura Bouvet ’ s appointment is a significant partnership for AHDB . We are working closely with Agri-Tech East to co-fund this post . It represents a very practical example of the two organisations working together to deliver more effective support for the industry and to ensure innovation and new practice is communicated effectively to a wide audience . With this aim in mind Laura will also support our new national Arable knowledge exchange team .”
Laura is currently finalising her PhD at the
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Genetics & Breeding Department of NIAB and is affiliated to the University of Cambridge .
Her PhD project focused on the genetics of wheat yellow rust resistance . She worked with the UK wheat MAGIC population , one of the latest tools available in crop breeding for the precise dissection of complex traits of interest , such as disease resistance . Her work on plant pathology has involved significant networking with growers and seed breeders .
She says : “ I have a strong interest in plant science and how it can contribute practically to tackling challenges faced by agriculture . During my postgraduate training , I have had the opportunity to work on different research and technology transfer projects where interactions with end-users have been crucial .
“ In this new role , I am looking forward to facilitating the implementation of agricultural innovations and establish strong connections with farmers and growers .”
For Agri-Tech East , Laura will be supporting and directing a number of farmer-led research projects . The organisation is currently coordinating an Innovative Farmer Field Lab looking at the best way to use digestate ( a product of anaerobic digestion ) as a fertiliser .
Her knowledge will be highly beneficial for her work with AHDB , which will focus on its Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research ( SBCSR ) facility , which provides controlled environment facilities for research into optimum crop storage conditions .
Sprout suppression in potatoes is an area of particular interest for growers .
Dr Rob Clayton , AHDB Strategy Director for Potatoes , says : “ This is a crucial time for Laura Bouvet to join the SBCSR team to help address
the immediate challenges facing our growers and store managers .
“ We already know some of our stores use three times more energy than others and it ’ s compromising productivity and an individual ’ s bottom line .
“ With industry introducing higher yielding thinner skinned varieties , it means that attention to detail on storage issues needs to be cranked up . And finally , keeping the sector tuned into alternative sprout suppression choices for the future is vital .”
In June the Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research facility will play host to an Agri-Tech East Pollinator event to explore a number of new innovations being used to help maintain the quality and integrity of the crop postharvest , for short and long-term storage . ' Post- Harvest Technologies – Innovations for Keeping Crops Clean , Cool and ( High ) Quality ' will take place on 20 June 2018 at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research , East Bank , Sutton Bridge , Spalding , PE12 9YD . Find out more at www . agritech-east . co . uk / events .
If you are interested in getting involved in farm trials do get in touch : info @ agritecheast . co . uk www . farmingmonthly . co . uk