Brash Ag

How did the Mississippi delta change the world of music, aviation and agriculture? This week Ray and Kit are joined by Maddison Dixon, Associate director at Agricultural Autonomy Institute at Mississippi State University.

Maddison explains how growing up watching crop dusters perform feats of daring in the Mississippi delta ignited a passion for aviation and agriculture. The co-hosts also get fascinating insight into the history of blues music and how it led to some of the greatest rock bands and music in the world from Muddy Waters to Led Zepplin.

With a deep understanding of drones and their applications stretching back to when the technology was in its infancy, Maddison gives amazing insights to not only the technology but also the business cases for services providers and even farmers.

With the recent ban on the sale of Chinese manufactured drones in the US, Maddison helps explain some of the motivations behind the move. He also explains how the AAI has been working with US drone manufacturers to help keep pace with foreign competition. While the first manned flight may have been from American soil, Kit and Ray wonder whether flight was really perfected by the British with the Spitfire or perhaps we have all been overtaken by the Chinese?...

In this second episode from Ray's adventure to LAMMA Show 2026. Ray brings another three of his top picks from his day. Did Ray manage to complete his side quest? We find out when we hear from:

Jeremy Clark at Smaxtec, the smart bolas company that promises to turn biometric data into actionable insights using the power of AI and machine learning. Jermey explains the benefits of being able to spot medical issues and calving from internal temperature data before the cattle show any visual signs of distress. A shout out to Emma Pattison for showing Ray through the Smaxtech data dashboard and how the product works.

Bart Pennings from Hanskamp and their revolutionary new cow toilet that promises to reduce emissions for housed animals and add value to the waste collected. Bart explains how the idea came from a tried and tested technique that veterinarians use to capture urine samples. Bart also gives some of the drivers behind the product, including the part that legislation has played, driving the Hanskamp engineers to provide a solution.

Ben Bamnet of Somerset EV, old friend and guest of the pod. Ben gives us a frank run down of the EV tech on display at LAMMA including the latest electric Fendt tractor and Merlo Telehander. Are all electric tractors created equal and has anyone perfected the electric telehandler yet? Ben also gives us an update on the EV converted Leyland tractor, including some modifications that have opened up new capabilities.

Another jam packed episode with plenty of new tech and insights from the co-hosts. Remember to like, subscribe and follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

LAMMA Show Special Part 1. This week Ray brings three of his top picks from his recent trip to LAMMA 2026 show at the NEC.

Ray spent a day at the show and brings the Brash Ag listeners his highlights of the tech and innovations that were on display, we hear from:

Eoin Clarke, Marketing Executive from McHale tells us about the Terradrive driven axle on the Fusion balers wrappers. Eoin tells us about the challenges that McHale has seen for farmers of hilly ground, how the tech works and importantly what it costs!

Chris Gordon, Operations Manager from Kidd Machinery gives us some of the history of Kidd Machinery, why John Harvey Engineering Limited bought Kidd Machinery and how the recent purchases of Bush Pig and WRAG Fencing have helped to produce a formidable product line up. Could this be the start of a home grown Alamo group? Shout out to Freddie Siebert for taking the time to show us around the stand as well and sorry that we mistook you for your brother Robert Siebert.

Rowan Duckworth, Digital Services Specialist at Hutchinsons, tells us about the Terramapping technology (provided by Soil Optix) that Hutchinson provides to help farmers optimise their fertiliser applications for maximum efficiency. Rowan also explains an exciting new integration between the Omnia platform and John Deere, allowing farmers to get access to the full value out of their machinery and software.

We also get the co-hosts' thoughts on the rise and reign of the mullet and harlequin shorts combination, which has become the staple for all budding Young Farmers. As well as how LAMMA has changed and evolved to have a significant retail section for farmers restock their wardrobes and workshops!

In this episode of Brash Ag, hosts Raymond King and Kit Franklin dive into a packed January news round-up covering UK agricultural engineering, global farming challenges, and where the next generation of ag talent will come from.

🔧 We start with UK machinery shake-ups, including:

• Chafer Machinery entering administration and re-emerging as Chafer Nexus under new leadership

• Kidd Farm Machinery expanding its fencing portfolio with the acquisition of Bush Pig and the WRAG Machinery brand

• What this means for UK manufacturing, IP, and agricultural engineering jobs

🤖 We then head east to Japan, discussing projections from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) that up to 30% of farmland could be abandoned by 2035 — and why this presents a major opportunity for automation, robotics and precision agriculture, with references to:

• Kubota

• Iseki

• Hokkaido University

• Kyoto University

• Pioneering work by Professor Noboru Noguchi and Professor Naoshi Kondo

🌱 Back in the UK, we reflect on conversations sparked at the Oxford Farming Conference, including:

• Alex Hardy (Harper Adams University) on the journey from Tractor Ted to technologist

• The role of Tractor Ted, Young Stock Magazine (Emma’s work), and media like Clarkson’s Farm in shaping perceptions of farming

• Whether UK agriculture needs a dedicated policy think tank — and where agricultural engineers fit into that conversation

📈 We also zoom out globally, looking at Mahindra’s staggering tractor sales figures in India and what they tell us about scale, horsepower, and productivity — with a nod to UK market data from the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA).

This episode is a reminder that engineering, policy, media, and optimism all matter if agriculture is going to attract talent, remain productive, and stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

🎧 Listen now, follow the podcast, and share with someone who should be thinking about a future in ag-tech.

#BrashAg #AgEngineering #AgTech #FarmMachinery #UKManufacturing #Robotics #Autonomy #OxfordFarmingConference #HarperAdams #Kubota #Mahindra #FutureOfFarming

In this episode of the Brash Ag Podcast, Raymond King and Kit Franklin are joined by Simon Pearson — farmer’s son, ag-engineer, academic, commercial operator, and now MBE for services to agri-engineering after receiving a nomination by DEFRA.

Simon’s career cuts across every part of the ag-tech system:

From glasshouse engineering and patents at University of Reading

To global supply chains and technology leadership at Marks & Spencer

To building one of the UK’s most influential ag-robotics ecosystems at University of Lincoln and the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology

We get into:

🚜 Why farming problems are engineering problems (and always have been)

🤖 What ag-robotics gets wrong when it ignores real farms

💸 Why UK ag-tech struggles to scale compared to the US — and how that could change

🌱 Translating research into companies like Saga Robotics and FruitCast

🧠 Why AI won’t replace farmers — but will change how decisions get made

If you care about ag-tech, robotics, AI, productivity, or the future of farming, this one’s essential listening.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify

#AgTech #AgriEngineering #Robotics #AIinAgriculture #Innovation #FarmingFuture #UKAgTech #ResearchToReality #BrashAg

In this news-led episode, Raymond King and Kit Franklin dig into what really matters as UK agriculture heads into a turbulent new year.

We unpack: 🚜 What the Farm Profitability Review actually means for ag-tech, machinery, and engineers

📉 Why policy uncertainty is freezing on-farm investment (even when changes are “positive”)

🤖 Where real opportunities exist for automation, robotics, and compliance tech

🐖 How animal welfare reforms could drive – or derail – practical innovation

⚙️ And why selling more horsepower might be the wrong metric for the future of farming

Along the way, we ask hard questions about ROI, interoperability, scale-up gaps, and whether engineers are missing from the rooms where decisions get made.

If you care about farm profitability, ag-tech adoption, or the future of UK agricultural engineering, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and join the debate.

#BrashAg #AgTech #AgEngineering #FarmProfitability #UKFarming #AgPolicy #Robotics #Automation #Machinery #Innovation

In this end-of-year Brash Ag episode, Raymond King and Kit Franklin sit down with Myles Ray, a mechanical engineering student on placement at Holbrook Engineering, to talk about what actually makes a good engineer — and why hands-on experience still matters in ag-tech.

We cover:

🔧 From Harper Adams University workshops to real-world fabrication, welding, CAD, plasma cutting, and on-farm problem solving

🚜 A real example of “Bale-Spikeology” in action — turning a farmer need into a working silage pusher using existing parts and smart design

🏭 The quiet strength of UK manufacturers like Holbrook Engineering, balancing bespoke builds, repairs, and scalable products

🧠 Why mechanical engineering skills translate across agriculture, food, and manufacturing — mindset beats job title

🌍 Reflections on 2024 highlights including World FIRA, Agritechnica, and conversations sparked by companies like GUSS Automation, Carbon Robotics, John Deere, and voices such as Chris Laudando (Laudando & Associates / L&aser)

📈 Where Brash Ag Podcast goes next: more news, more factory visits, more showcasing of UK engineering capability

If you’re interested in agricultural engineering, ag-tech careers, farm innovation, or how ideas actually get built — this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify

💬 Tell us what you’d like to hear more of in 2025

🏭 UK manufacturers: if we should come and visit you, get in touch

#BrashAg #AgTech #AgriculturalEngineering #MechanicalEngineering #FarmInnovation #UKManufacturing #BaleSpikeology #EngineeringCareers #HarperAdams #AgRobotics #FromCADtoField

Can micro-tractors replace an aging workforce in rural India? Can micro-entrepreneurs help finance the “robots as a service” dream?

This week Kit and Ray go transcontinental to interview entrepreneur Trivikram Kumar, founder of Xmachines a robotics start-up focused on providing solutions for agricultural and landbased applications.

Vikram shares his thoughts on the recent FIRA event in California and why Xmachines decided to attend and Kit plays match maker recommending friend of the pod Tom Beach to help Vikram find a way in to the UK market.

Vikram also shares his background as an engineer and how he started the company after moving back to India after studying in Hong Kong and what inspired him to start the business. The pair gain a fascinating insight into how ICRISAT helped to incubate and support Vikram in his mission and how he has tuned the Xmachines business model to work in both the domestic and international markets.

Vikram also explains the surreal story of how applying for a bank account led him to be on Indian Shark Tank and ultimately landed him the financial backers, Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwa to help him grow his business domestically and internationally.

This is an extra special episode and worth tuning in for…

What do we want from autonomy? Are farm robots the answer to on farm safety or are they an accident waiting to happen?

This week Kit and Ray catch up with seasoned agricultural engineer and entrepreneur, Andy Newbold. We hear about how Andy carved out a niche in agricultural compliance and safety work at the tender age of 28, how he has also managed to pursue agricultural journalism and even found time for farm work, among other things. Andy explains the presentation he gave at the IOSH Rural Reflection Conference and how safety needs to be baked into the culture of any organisation not just reliant on manufacturers safety features.

The pair also take the opportunity for a “fire side” chat with Andy about his thoughts for the future of agritech and on farm autonomy, what the implications are for safety and how robotics could be part of the answer towards better mental health for farmers.

Have Monarch Tractors over-promised on ag autonomy and electrification? With a pending lawsuit one dealership in the US seems to think so…

This week Kit and Ray catch up after a few weeks of travelling to take stock on the current state of agtech? What trends are defining agtech? Will the next steps be evolution or revolution? How will AI find a place amongst the growing range of products for farmers?

The pair also discuss the pending lawsuit for Monarch tractors? Have they bitten off more they can chew in their bid to revolutionise agriculture or can they pivot to become the technology provider of choice for agricultural machinery manufacturers looking to incorporate electrification and autonomy in their tech stack.

#agritech #agtech #agriculturalengineering #robotics #monarchtractors #techstack #tractor #electrification