Landwards - the podcast of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers

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Jun 2026

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Topical and current information, interviews and discussion for members professional journeys through the lens of agricultural engineering.

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June 5, 202631 min

Perspectives - Ray King takes the long view on start-ups and agritech

In this episode of Landwards, host Andy Newbold talks to Ray King, Chartered Agricultural Engineer, member of the executive board of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, and founder of Flynt Technology.Ray traces his journey from growing up on a Dorset farm and learning in the workshop, through studying at Harper Adams, and into roles with Teagle Machinery, JCB, Claydon Drills, and an aerospace firm where he sharpened his core engineering and management skills. He then joined Small Robot Company as head of mechanical engineering before setting up his own consultancy, supporting design, manufacturing, safety and compliance, and early-stage ventures in the agricultural sector.Building on his Landwards opinion piece, “Perspective: The Startup’s Role in Agricultural Engineering”, Ray argues that startups play a crucial role in agricultural engineering: opening doors for new people to enter the sector, challenging incumbents, and acting as a forcing function for innovation. He and Andy unpack how labels like startup, agritech, and disruptive technology can obscure the simple reality that companies like JCB and Harry Ferguson’s enterprises also began life as “startups” – they just weren’t called that.Ray discusses the realities of venture capital, risk, and failure, and why we need to rethink the stigma around businesses that don’t make it. He highlights technologies that excite him today – from drone-based data capture and moisture mapping (e.g. Q Fly Water) to robotic inter-row mowing (e.g. Left Field Agriculture) – and looks ahead to the big challenges facing agriculture: reducing chemical use, managing water, and helping farmers protect margins with better data and practical, farmer-friendly tools.Key TakeawaysStartups are essential drivers of innovation and new talent in agricultural engineering.Terms like agritech and disruption can distract from the real work of solving on-farm problems.Failure in startups is part of the risk model, not a permanent black mark.Data-led tools, smarter water management, and farmer-led innovation will be central to meeting future challenges.

May 22, 202621 min

Meet the President: Kit Franklin on the future of agricultural engineering

In this Landwards episode, IAgrE President Kit Franklin joins host Andy Newbold to share his journey into agricultural engineering and his vision for the Institution’s future.Growing up on a family farm in Cirencester, Kit combined a love of maths, science, and design with agriculture, leading him to Harper Adams and a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He arrived wanting to design “big shiny tractors,” but left with a passion for autonomous, smaller, and more precise machinery and the wider farming system.Kit describes his work at Harper Adams as a researcher and lecturer, including leading the groundbreaking Hands Free Farm project – the world’s first hectare of crop grown entirely using autonomous machines. Now, having recently split his time between Harper Adams, a US university attachment, the family farm, and podcasting on agri‑tech, he outlines how these experiences shape his presidency.As President, Kit plans to be hands‑on, focusing on:improving member networking via the new IAgrE website;tackling slow but steady membership decline;raising IAgrE’s profile through member stories, LinkedIn, and timely responses to policy announcements;better engaging the agri‑tech community and inspiring young people into agricultural engineering.He reflects on how technologies like RTK guidance have moved from cutting‑edge to everyday consumer tools in under two decades, while insisting that fundamental mechanical and civil engineering skills remain essential in a physical, field-based world. The conversation closes with a more personal reveal: behind the rock and dance music fan is someone with a soft spot for Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”—and an open-door attitude to IAgrE members’ ideas.Key TakeawaysHow childhood interests in design and farming led Kit into agricultural engineering.The story and impact of the Hands Free Farm autonomous cropping project.Kit’s presidential priorities: networking, membership growth, visibility, and policy engagement.Why agri‑tech professionals and young people are critical to IAgrE’s future.How fast automation and RTK tech have evolved—and why nuts, bolts, spades, and soil still matter.

December 12, 202558 min

LandTechnik AgEng2025 and Agritechnica - Now the Dust has Settled

Join IAgrE CEO Charlie Nicklin, Independent Agronomist Kieran Walsh, Innovation Specialist Clive Blacker, Head of Education & Partnerships, BASIS, Harry Henderson, Technology Manager at the Foundation for Arable Research, New Zealand, Chris Smith and Landwards editor Andy Newbold Hon FIAgrE for a no holds barred full on discussion about what was hot (and not) in Hannover, Germany in November 2025.Agricultural engineers and agronomists unpack what really mattered at Agritechnica and LandTechnik AgEng 2025: from robots and autonomy to smart implements, soil sensing, and alternative powertrains. They separate marketing vanity from practical engineering, highlighting where data, AI, and clever hardware are already delivering value – and where the industry is still in proof‑of‑concept mode. Expect frank views on Chinese OEMs, hybrid and electric drives, and why evolution on farm will beat revolution.

November 28, 202522 min

Growing Safely - The IOSH Rural Industries Conference, November 2025

Landwards Editor Andy Newbold Hon FIAgrE in conversation with :Richard Bate, newly elected IOSH president, discussed the importance of education, mental health, and environmental change in the rural industries community. He highlighted that despite being only 1% of the workforce, rural industries account for over 20% of workforce deaths. Bate emphasized early education and engagement with children to foster risk management skills. He shared a statistic that globally, 157 people die every 25 minutes. Sam Downer from Mates in Mind stressed the need for effective mental health support in farming communities. Mike Whiting, chair of IOSH's rural industries group, reflected on the successful Growing Safely conference, which covered topics like drones, AI, and mental health.Action Items Maintain and develop the liaison between the Rural Industries Group and HSE (via Wayne Owen) to ensure a clear contact route for regulatory supportContinue planning future Rural Industries Group conferences and events (venue, speakers and programme), building on the Growing Safely conference template Focus the IOSH presidency on improving safety in rural sectors for the forthcoming year, including promoting education and environmental change discussionsDevelop and publish the agri wellbeing alliance website and provide resources and signposting for mental‑health support and accidental counsellor trainingRichard Bate's Inaugural Speech and Key ThemesAndy Newbold introduces Richard Bate, the new president of IOSH, and mentions the focus on rural industries.Richard Bate discusses his three main themes: education, mental health and well-being, and environmental change.Richard emphasises the importance of discussing environmental change despite its polarising nature.Andy Newbold and Richard agree on the reality of changing weather patterns and their impact on agriculture.Statistics and Education in Rural IndustriesRichard Bate shares a startling statistic: rural industries are responsible for more than 20% of workforce deaths despite being only 1% of the workforce.Richard stresses the need to reframe discussions around statistics and engage with children early on health and safety.Richard recounts a personal story about a farmer's aggressive response to safety advice, highlighting the need for support and education.Andy Newbold and Richard discuss the importance of contextualizing safety issues and the role of parents in building risk management skills in children.Sam Downie from Mates in MindAndy Newbold introduces Sam Downie from Mates in Mind, a charity focused on mental health in higher-risk sectors.Sam emphasizes the importance of having conversations about mental health and the need for support networks.Sam provides contact information for Mates in Mind and encourages listeners to seek help if they are struggling with their mental well-being.Technology and Safety in AgricultureMike Whiting discusses the role of technology, such as AI and predictive maintenance, in enhancing safety in agriculture.Andy Newbold and Mike emphasize that while technology is an enabler, the focus should be on how it is used and interacted with.The conference included a session by John Deere on the benefits and challenges of agri-tech and autonomy.Mike reflects on the success of the conference, the positive feedback from attendees, and the importance of continued collaboration and support.

October 24, 202533 min

Wood, Water & Innovation: Building Resilience in Rural Environments - The Forestry Engineering Group Symposium 2025

This recording covers how forestry, timber, water management, and safety regulation intersect with land-based engineering, and why agricultural engineers sit at the centre of these systems. * Apologies for the background noise in some of the interviews, it was a lively conference environment!Key Takeaways1. Timber & Species Diversification - Prof. Dan Ridley‑Ellis Future timber supply must adapt to climate change and disease, so we need species diversification beyond traditional commercial species. What matters to most users is performance, not species name: strength, durability, processability. The timber of 2050 is already in the ground – current forestry decisions lock in future material properties. Small datasets on “new” species are a big risk; **some data is better than reputation-based assumptions**. Opportunity: engineers specifying materials should ask for performance-based criteria, not just traditional species labels.2. SuDS & Water on Difficult Land - Anna Cuanalo MICE - ARUP Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) rules were written for urban settings but are now being applied to rural infrastructure (forest roads, access tracks). - This creates compliance challenges but also opportunities for integrated water and land management. Agricultural engineers are central in: Designing roads and access on steep, wet, rocky land. Managing soil, runoff, and erosion at landscape scale. The profession is broader than “things with wheels”: it’s soils, water, land use, and access engineering.3. Practical SuDS in Forestry - Felix Merry Natural Resources Wales In Wales, SuDS is now unavoidable for many forest schemes; forestry is effectively a test bed for others. Engineers must upskill in hydraulic modelling to justify schemes to regulators. Practical hierarchy: Prefer infiltration into soil. If collected, attenuate and slow the flow (e.g. swales, check dams, timber dams). Last resort: discharge to watercourses. Shows the rising need for hydrology‑literate land engineers who can demonstrate performance, not just build tracks.4. CDM Regulations in Forestry - Iwan Lloyd Williams MICfor – Forestry Consultant Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) absolutely apply to day‑to‑day forestry operations. Forestry is not a cowboy industry: it already identifies hazards and manages risk; CDM mainly formalises existing duties of care. Forestry has its own professional safety guidance (e.g. FISA); much of CDM is about clear roles, responsibilities and documentation. For agricultural engineers, this reinforces the need to treat land-based projects as formal construction work in the eyes of the law.Soundbites-“The timber we need in 2050 is already in the ground.”- “Trees grow wood for their own reasons – they’re not thinking about us.”- “Some data is better than no data.”- “Agricultural engineering sits right in the middle of our land management.”- “SuDS was written for urban flooding, but it’s now landing on steep, wet forestry ground.”- “Forestry is doing CDM already – just with different words.” Keywords / Phrases- Species diversification- Sitka spruce, homegrown spruce- Wood properties, performance-based specification- Climate resilience, future resource- SuDS – Sustainable Dra<

September 10, 202546 min

Jonathan Gill - From Robotics to Farming

In this episode of Landwards, host Andy Newbold interviews Jonathan Gill, a farm innovation specialist at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. They discuss Jonathan's journey from a curious child fascinated by mechanics to a professional in agricultural engineering. The conversation covers his educational challenges, the impact of technology in farming, and the importance of continuous learning and human intuition in the field. Jonathan shares insights on the Hands-Free Hectare project, current projects at the Agri-Tech Centre, and offers advice for aspiring agricultural engineers.Jonathans Takeaways Jonathan's early curiosity about mechanics shaped his career.Overcoming dyslexia was a significant challenge in his education.Hands-Free Hectare project exemplifies innovation in agriculture.Robotics and automation are key to modern farming practices.Real-world applications of technology are crucial in agriculture.Continuous learning is essential for career growth in ag engineering.The importance of human intuition in agricultural technology.AI can enhance farming but should not replace human decision-making.Sustainability is a core focus in agricultural engineering.Agricultural engineering offers diverse and rewarding career opportunities.Sound bites "I always liked to take things apart.""I was a late bloomer in education.""I absolutely love what I do."Keywords Agricultural Engineering, Innovation, Robotics, Farming Technology, Education, Career Development, Sustainability, Precision Agriculture, AI in Agriculture, Hands-Free Hectare

July 30, 202557 min

Dr Tim Chamen - Innovations in Soil Management

Episode notes:In this edition, Tim Chamen shares his extensive journey in agricultural engineering, discussing his background, education, and the evolution of agricultural machinery. He highlights the importance of soil health, innovations like controlled traffic farming, and the development of gantry systems. Tim emphasizes the need for continuous inquiry and adaptation in agricultural practices to meet modern challenges and environmental concerns. He also offers valuable advice for aspiring engineers in the field.Takeaways Tim's journey in agricultural engineering began with a passion for soil and machinery.Education played a crucial role in shaping Tim's career path.Innovations in agricultural machinery can significantly improve soil health.Controlled traffic farming is a revolutionary approach to soil management.Gantry systems offer a promising future for sustainable agriculture.Tim emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and inquiry in engineering.Recognition and awards can validate one's contributions to the field.Environmental considerations are essential in modern agricultural practices.Agricultural engineering encompasses a wide range of technologies and solutions.Aspiring engineers should embrace curiosity and seek to make a positive impact. Tims soundbites: "Ask the question, why?""The world is your oyster.""Never stop acting, never stop inquiring."Keywords Agricultural Engineering, Soil Cultivation, Controlled Traffic Farming, Agricultural Innovations, Gantry Systems, Environmental Impact, Agricultural Machinery, Soil Health, Engineering Education, Sustainable Agriculture

June 26, 202525 min

David Whattoff - The Power of Curiosity (or Turn Over a Few Stones).

UK Country Manager for METOS, David Whattoff, takes Landwards Editor Andy Newbold through what makes him tick, the value of curiosity for engineers and how 'somebodies problem, is someone else's solution'. He suggests collecting business cards, and that often the quietest person in the room has a lot to say.Listen and find out more.

May 30, 202512 min

IAgrE Awards 2025 - Part Two

Part 2 of a 2 part recording with most of the 2025 IAgrE Award winners, recorded live (with apologies for varying levels of background noise) at AGCO's Abbey Park, UK HQ.In this episode listen to:David Yates EngTech MIAgrE - IAgrE Institution Meritorious AwardChris Watts CEng CEnv FIAgrE - IAgrE Institution Meritorious AwardMartin Parsons Ceng CEnv FIAgrE and Jo Finlow of the Holme Fen Restoration Project - The Environmental Engineer Team AwardDr Paula Misiewicz AMIAgrE - The Presidents Award 2025Professor Simon Pearson FIAgrE - The IAgrE Award of Merit

May 22, 202518 min

IAgrE Awards 2025 - Part One

Part 1 of a 2 part recording with most of the 2025 IAgrE Award winners, recorded live (with apologies for varying levels of background noise) at AGCO's Abbey Park, UK HQ.In this episode listen to:David Goodchild EngTech TIAgrE - IAgrE CNH Industrial Student Undergraduate AwardLuke Waldram MEng, AMIAgrE - IAgrE CNH Industrial Student Undergraduate AwardTom Ablitt TIAgrE - IAgrE Student Project AwardHywel Jones TIAgrE - IAgrE Student Project AwardDaniel Mitchell MSc HAU - Environmental Engineer AwardWrapped up by a reflection from IAgrE President Elect on the challenges to agricultural engineers.