Jonathan Trotter joins the BrashAg Podcast to discuss drones, robotics and technology trials

What does it take to assess new agricultural technology properly? 
How do robotics and automation move from engineering concepts into practical farming systems? 
And where does agronomy fit within that process?

In episode 82 of the Brash Ag Podcast, Jonathan Trotter, Technology Trials Manager at Agrii, joins hosts Raymond King CEng MIAgrE and Kit Franklin to discuss the role of technology trials, applied agronomy and practical farming experience in shaping the future of agriculture.

Listen to the full episode of the BrashAg Podcast featuring Agrii’s Jonathan Trotter.

Testing technology in real farming conditions

Jonathan’s role at Agrii focuses on evaluating emerging technologies and understanding where they may offer practical value within commercial farming systems.

That work includes assessing technologies such as drone applications, autonomous platforms, crop sensing systems and digital tools through structured field trials and practical agronomic assessment.

Technologies discussed in the episode include systems from Drone Ag Limited and Skippy Scout, alongside wider developments in agricultural robotics and automation.

For Agrii, the focus is on understanding how technology performs under real farm conditions. New systems need to be tested properly before they can become useful tools for growers and agronomists.

From farming background to technology trials

Jonathan grew up on a traditional family farm before studying at Harper Adams University. His career has covered practical farming, grain analysis within shipping, crop production and agronomy.

Before joining Agrii, he worked in crop trials at Frontier Agriculture and later at the University of Lincoln, supporting research programmes focused on autonomous harvesting, crop scanning systems and agricultural robotics.

Working alongside Professor Simon Pearson MBE and university engineering teams, Jonathan helped bridge the gap between crop production and technology development, ensuring researchers had the agronomic support and field conditions needed to test emerging systems effectively.

Topics covered in the episode

• How agronomy businesses evaluate emerging technologies
• The role of drones and robotics within modern farming systems
• What makes new technology practical on farm
• The importance of trials, testing and validation
• How farming experience can shape better technology development
• The relationship between engineers, researchers and agronomists
  
  

Practical insight from the field

The conversation provides a grounded look at how technology is assessed within commercial agriculture, and the challenges involved in turning promising ideas into practical tools for growers.

Jonathan shares insight from his experience across farming, agronomy and research, offering perspectives relevant to farmers, engineers, researchers and anyone interested in the future direction of agricultural technology.

Listen to the full episode of the BrashAg Podcast featuring Agrii’s Jonathan Trotter.