Meet the Expert: Emma Chapelhow, Agribot

Emma is Chief Operating Officer at Agribot, an agricultural modelling company, where she leads the commercialisation of the company’s models and explores how its technology can be applied to challenges across the sector. Her work takes her from conversations with farmers across different agricultural sectors to businesses further along the supply chain, including financial organisations.

As part of CropTec’s Meet the Expert series, we caught up with Emma to find out more about her role, her advice for those working in agriculture and why she continues to return to CropTec year after year.

Introduce yourself and the business you work for/own

My name is Emma Chapelhow – Agribot is an agricultural modelling company, I work as the COO, leading commercialisation of our models.

What does a typical day look like for you at work?

My days are spent exploring other use cases in agriculture for our technology, understanding where the greatest challenges lie. That means conversations from pig to peach farmers, and the whole way up the supply chain, even to the banks!

If you could give one piece of advice to a farmer or someone just starting out in the industry, what would it be?

Speak to everyone, even if they aren't in your sector. You will be surprised how often the challenges traverse the sectors and the supply chain, even other industries.

Plus, agriculture has one of the strongest communities out there, so throw yourself in, you never know where you might need a friend!

What keeps you coming back to CropTec each year, and what value do you get from attending?

CropTec has a special place in my heart, as it was the first show I attended as an agri student. Every year I keep learning something new and get to see some of the latest innovations, so that is why I keep coming back!

What are you looking forward to the most about the 2027 event?

I am really excited to see it grow this year, in its second year as part of the LAMMA Show. The group have had some really exciting ideas, and I can't wait to see them in action!

Looking to the future of agriculture

Emma’s experience highlights the value of looking beyond traditional agricultural boundaries when considering the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. From modelling and technology to conversations across different types of farming and the wider supply chain, innovation often comes from making connections and sharing ideas.

That spirit of exploration is also central to CropTec, bringing together farmers, agronomists, researchers, technology businesses and other industry professionals to explore the developments that could shape the future of arable farming.

For Emma, the event is also about the simple value of continuing to learn – whether that means discovering a new technology, exploring an emerging idea or connecting with someone from a different part of the industry.

CropTec 2027 takes place alongside LAMMA at the NEC Birmingham on 20-21 January 2027, providing an opportunity to discover the latest innovations, share knowledge and connect with the people helping to shape the future of agriculture.

CropTec is free if you register before midnight on 4th January 2026. From 5th January: £8 + VAT online, rising to £12 + VAT from the opening day (20th January).