Missouri governor’s Agri-TechE team sees Cambridge innovation showcase
A delegation from Missouri, which included governor Mike Parson, met members of AgriTechE to assess the innovations emerging from the ecosystem last week.
The visit is part of an ongoing link between the two regions. AgriTechE and Missouri Partnership coordinated a successful mission to the Missouri agri-food ecosystem in March 2020, just before the pandemic. This followed a 2019 agri-tech mission from Missouri to the UK.
AgriTechE also helped develop Missouri Agri-Tech Connect, “a gateway to the St Louis agri-food ecosystem”, in 2020. Annually, agriculture is a $94bn industry in Missouri and nearly 50 per cent of US crop and livestock production is located within 500 miles of the state.
The ag-cluster includes international ag and food corporations and centres of plant science research including Bayer Crop Science’s Global Seeds and Traits HQ.
Tim Nowak of the World Trade Centre – also a Missouri Agri-Tech Connect co-developer – says the St Louis ag-cluster offers “a wealth of opportunities for collaborative projects”. UK-Missouri trade is now $2bn annually.
Governor Mike Parson, a third-generation cattle farmer, came with First Lady Teresa; Chris Chinn, also a farmer and director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and members of the Missouri House and Senate, to meet members of AgriTechE and to see for himself the innovation that is emerging from the ecosystem.
The governor’s visit, organised by the Missouri Department of Economic Development, looked to build on those relationships and explore future opportunities for collaboration.
“As Missouri’s Governor, I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen relationships with business partners in the United Kingdom,” Governor Parson said.
“For decades, Missouri and the UK have enjoyed a unique connection that is both culturally and economically significant. Given the importance of international trade, we’re grateful for this chance to promote Missouri agriculture and technology, among other strengths that make the Show-Me State an ideal business location.”
Dr Belinda Clarke, director of Agri-TechE, said: “Although the pandemic has accelerated the acceptance of many aspects of digital agriculture, farming is still about people and the real world. The mission with Missouri has been invaluable in building business relationships and creating wider understanding of mutual opportunities and we are delighted to progress this with the governor.”
The meeting on March 18 was hosted by the crop science organisation NIAB. Of particular interest to the governor, who rears beef cattle, is the work on using naturally occurring microorganisms to unlock fertility in soil, improving the nutritional value of grass and reducing the need for inorganic fertiliser.
The 2020 mission was co-funded by the UK government Department for International Trade. Agri-Tech Lead Elizabeth Warham said: “We are delighted that the governor is taking this opportunity to consolidate the relationships that have been made with many members of the UK’s vibrant agri-tech ecosystem and look forward to seeing these collaborations prosper.”
Agri-TechE members meeting the governor included Wyld Networks, simplifying sensor to satellite connectivity; Small Robot Company, developing robotics to support a ‘per-plant’ approach to agriculture which provides timely interventions to ensure crop health; PBD Biotech, developers of rapid blood test for tuberculosis in humans and animals, and the Willand Group which is developing an intelligent facility that offers the potential of net zero livestock production.
