Bodmin Agri-Tech Firm Uses Drones to Support Farming Tasks

Drones Over Cornwall? How One Bodmin Firm Is Changing Farming

A Cornwall-based agri-tech business is using drone technology to make agricultural jobs faster, safer and more efficient, supported by funding from the British Business Bank.

Horizon Agri Ltd, founded by Seamus McGuinness and based in Bodmin, is developing drone-led solutions for tasks such as fertilising crops and cleaning solar panels, greenhouses and polytunnels.

The business secured a £50,000 funding package, made up of a £25,000 Start Up Loan and a further £25,000 loan from the South West Investment Fund, delivered by SWIG Finance.

From Farming Roots to Drone Technology

Seamus McGuinness moved to Cornwall from Ireland in 2009, bringing with him a strong agricultural background. Over the years, he has worked as a dairy herdsman, farm manager and consultant for a Canadian genetics consultancy.

Now, he is applying that experience to Horizon Agri Ltd, focusing on how drone technology can support farmers and landowners.

Seamus explained that agricultural use of drones is still emerging in the UK.

“While I don’t think it will entirely replace conventional methods, there are all kinds of benefits,” he said.

“You can cover a larger area, faster, and it’s much easier to fertilise tall crops with this technology. There is zero crop damage and no soil compaction from driving machinery around the field, and you can even do away with tramlines for vehicles to maximise planting.

“Following all the rain at the start of the year the land has been so wet it’s been impossible to drive around, but the crops still need fertiliser. A drone makes this possible.”

How the Technology Works

The drones can monitor crop health, map fields and deliver fertiliser precisely where it is needed. This can help reduce waste and give farmers more control over costs.

The technology is also being used beyond crop fertilisation. According to Seamus, drones can clean solar panels, as well as greenhouses and polytunnels, and provide precision shading for crop protection.

He said using drones is cheaper and less likely to cause damage than traditional methods.

“That means you can afford to clean panels more often, meaning they don’t get as dirty and will be more efficient as a result,” he said.

Funding Helps Launch the Business

The combined £50,000 funding allowed the business to invest in specialist equipment, including two agricultural drones, batteries, software, generators, water tanks, pumps and a trailer.

Seamus discovered the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans programme online and was also signposted to it through Cornwall’s Unlocking Potential business support scheme.

During the application process, he worked with Jo MacEachan, senior Start Up Loans manager at SWIG Finance.

“It was pretty intense but really good,” he said. “Jo was very thorough – no stone was left unturned.”

For additional funding through the South West Investment Fund, Seamus worked with SWIG Finance business manager Rachel Thomson.

Rachel said: “Seamus has great enthusiasm for his business and I think Horizon Agri Ltd has real potential to reduce costs for landowners through precision farming and other applications.”

Backing Innovation in the South West

David Tindall, Senior Investment Manager at the British Business Bank, said the agri-tech sector has strong potential.

“Agri-tech is a growing sector with huge potential to improve productivity and sustainability across UK agriculture. Businesses like Horizon Agri Ltd show how technologies such as drones can help farmers work more efficiently while reducing costs and environmental impact.

“Through programmes like Start Up Loans and the South West Investment Fund, we’re supporting entrepreneurs like Seamus to bring new ideas to market and drive innovation across the South West.”

Start Up Loans offers personal loans of up to £25,000 per director, along with mentoring support for new or early-stage businesses. The South West Investment Fund provides a range of finance options, from smaller loans to equity investment, aimed at supporting growth and innovation across the region.