Talk Farm, season 2, episode 5: The race to digitalise agriculture

The latest episode of our Agriculture and Estates podcast, Talk Farm, explores the race to digitalise agriculture and what it means for farmers worldwide, in collaboration with the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth.

Partner and Head of Agriculture and Estates, Rory Hutchings, is joined by a panel of experts including:

• Robyn Sermon, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Agricultural Society of Western Australia
• Dr Bernard Moonga, Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Zambia and President of the Agriculture and Commercial Show Society of Zambia
• Will Prichard, Welsh farmer and owner of Natural Wagyu.

Drawing on perspectives from Wales, Western Australia and Zambia, the panel discusses how technologies such as AI, autonomous machinery and data-driven decision-making are already reshaping agriculture across the world.

They explore what digitalisation means in practice – from improving efficiency, productivity and yields to helping tackle labour shortages – while recognising the challenges around cost, skills gaps and data ownership.

This episode also considers:

• Whether the cost of agricultural technology risks pricing smaller farmers out
• How social media and technology are changing perceptions of farming careers
• Why it’s important to understand the commercial value of technology before investing
• Whether the UK is behind in adopting agricultural technology
• How collaboration and education can help farmers decide when and how to embrace new technology.

Talk Farm highlights the challenges and opportunities shaping rural life in the UK. Each episode offers expert commentary and guidance for those navigating the issues facing agriculture and landed estates today.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.