As the population grows, so do our demands on the planet. Managing this resource has never been so important.

Since it was founded in 1901, Harper has been designed to meet this challenge. Set on a 494 hectare farm, we are the leading specialist university tackling the future development of our planet's food production, processing, animal sciences, engineering, land management and sustainable business.

Website
https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/HarperAdamsUni

With everything from molecular diagnostics laboratories to food processing facilities at your disposal, you'll be well equipped to experiment.

There are 494 hectares of farm land to work with here, so testing your theory in the field is more than a possibility. It's a reality.

From crop-spraying drones to life-saving technology, we don't just dream up new ideas and innovations here. We build them.

Our research brings together staff and students to tackle the biggest problems that our planet faces today

With a placement as part of every course, and a £4M Innovation Centre built by Saputo Dairy UK on campus, you won't just learn about industry. You'll be a part of it.

Related Organisations

Connected Content

Knowledge

Farm-PEP aims to bring together all the sources of useful knowledge for Agriculture, whether from academic science, applied research projects, industry trials, farmers own trials or simple on-farm experience. Listed below are useful websites, organisations and websites that we know of.  Add any we've missed in the comments box or by adding as new content, or better still, as a new Group.  

Agricultural Universities Council (AUC-UK)

The Agricultural Universities Council (AUC-UK) is a collaboration of the UK universities with agricultural schools or departments. AUC-UK works together to coordinate our teaching and research, to make the biggest contribution we can to a resilient and sustainable future for agriculture, land management and food systems.

IPM NET

IPM NET is a new initiative which aims to improve the practical understanding and application of integrated pest management (for pests, weeds and diseases) for farmers,  and inform policy design promoting IPM strategies. 

Education & Skills

Building the right skills for the agricultural industry has been recognised as crucial to its future success.

AUC Educators Retreat 2023

Food, farming and land use need to undergo rapid and sustained change if the world is to address climate, biodiversity and health crises. This transformation requires changes in policy, yet will also rely on the actions of farmers and land managers on the ground. Their knowledge, skills and motivations, and those of their advisors, are crucial to success. This retreat provided an opportunity for educators who lead agriculture degree courses to share resources and inject fresh content into their courses. This retreat was funded by the Aurora Trust and The Mark Leonard Trust.

Agri-tech

The agri-tech sector is vibrant and growing, with many exciting companies, organisations and networks are working to develop agri-tech solutions.

Slug-Resistant Wheat

Slug-Resistant Wheat A project to explore the properties of Watkins 788, a landrace wheat believed to be resistant to slugs, never before been grown in the UK. 

IPM NET: a knowledge exchange network to advance IPM.

Join us to kick-off the IPM Network pilot year, share your experiences with other attendees, tap into the expertise of our speakers and demonstrate the value of networks for knowledge exchange.  

Research

Agricultural research is conducted by a range of organisations, from individual farmers, through advisors, distributors, manufacturers, charities, societies, supply chain companies, levy bodies, universities and research institutes.  This page aims to connect across these often disparate sources.

Agri-EPI Centre

Pioneering innovation, technology and precision engineering for UK farming. 

Precision Farming

Precision farming involves the use of GPS, sensing and control technologies to use spatial data to manage soils, crops and livestock. 

School of Sustainable Food & Farming (SSFF)

Educating, inspiring and empowering current and future farmers to achieve net zero within a sustainable farming and food system.

Agri Living Lab - Satellite Applications Catapult

Combining space and agricultural expertise for the UK to become the global leader in connectivity enabled agriculture and supply chain research, products, and services.

Application of Science to Realise the Potential of the Agricultural Transition

Report by Lord Curry (Food & Farming Futures), James Lowenburg-DeBoer and Michael Lee (Harper Adams University) into how agricultural science and extension can be supported and co-ordinated to address the productivity gap in UK agriculture.    

Soil22 Building farm resilience - bringing efficiency, nature & farm profitability into harmony

Physical and online conference at Harper Adams Soil & Water Management Centre on 7th December.

Journey to Net Zero Competition

The School of Sustainable Food and Farming Journey to Net Zero Competition is looking to support the development or implementation of a system, process or processes which will have a positive, measurable impact on how winners can farm in a sustainable way. There is a total of £50k available which will be awarded in grants of between £5k-20k.

Sustainable Farm Networks

To build a socially and environmentally resilient and regenerative food system in a net zero landscape, the Sustainable Farm Networks initiative connects diverse demonstration farm networks across the UK to share experiences, findings and best practice.

Potato Cyst Nematode Field Lab

A group of farmers is investigating with Harper Adams University how trap crops such as sticky and African nightshade can be used as a biological management practice.

Does extended pasture resting after grazing improve soil microbiology and soil health?

Dairy farmers in the south west of England are exploring whether they can improve soil whilst maintaining forage quality when adopting longer resting periods after defoliation.

University of Warwick

Warwick Crop Centre is a national centre of excellence for research on fresh produce. We provide post-graduate training and specialise in research projects promoting sustainable agriculture, horticulture and food security.

Vegetable Genetic Improvement Network (VeGIN)

An interactive network of researchers and industry leaders, who work together to promote market delivery of improved vegetable varieties using sustainable production systems.

SLIMERS

Strategies Leading to Improved Management and Enhanced Resilience against Slugs (SLIMERS) This project is led by BOFIN, partnered with CHAP, AGRIVATION, Harper Adams University, John Innes Centre, and Small Robot Company. It is funded by Defra Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.

Farm of the Future: Net Zero in Practice

This demonstration day will allow attendees to see and discuss the technologies, approaches and techniques being applied as the industry moves to achieving net zero.