Kirkland roadshow brings automation and electric innovation
15th January 2026
Growers across the UK were welcomed at two recent demonstration days hosted by Kirkland UK, showcasing the latest automation and electric technology for the fruit and vineyard sectors.
The events, held at East Scryne Fruit Farm in Scotland and Haygrove in Ledbury, Herefordshire, brought together growers, dealers and industry professionals keen to see two of the company’s newest additions in action – the autonomous Burro transport robot and RootWave eWeeder, both designed to address the twin challenges of labour shortages and sustainable production.
Automation that follows your lead
The Burro is an autonomous, self-driving transport platform developed by US-based firm Burro AI. Designed specifically for fruit and vineyard operations, it can carry loads, follow workers using vision-guided autonomy, or navigate pre-set GPS routes, all without the need for constant human supervision.
Kirkland UK recently became Burro’s exclusive UK importer and distributor, marking the technology’s first major introduction to the British market. With more than 550 units already working across the US and Australia, demand for automation in labour-intensive horticultural systems is growing rapidly.
Each Burro unit uses high-precision GPS, onboard cameras and machine learning to navigate complex farm environments safely. The system’s ‘Pop-Up Autonomy’ feature allows it to be deployed within minutes, without any specialist training, and multiple machines can work collaboratively on the same site. Payloads can also be adapted to different tasks, from carrying fruit crates to towing implements. But Burro isn’t just for hauling and towing – it can also scout, patrol, mow, and support attachments for planting, pollination, charging, plus more.
At both events, growers saw the robot in operation, transporting trays and tools autonomously through demonstration rows. Tilly Shephard, marketing executive at Kirkland UK said: “People were really impressed by how easy Burro was to use, and how smoothly it navigated the fields.” She continued: “A lot of growers said they could see it fitting straight into their day-to-day work without much setup. The idea of having a robot that just gets on with the job really seemed to click with everyone.”
Effective alternative to herbicides
Sharing the spotlight was RootWave – a tractor-powered electrical weeding system that uses high-frequency electricity to boil weeds and their roots from the inside out. The result is a 100% chemical-free, soil-friendly weed control method that’s compatible with conventional, regenerative and organic systems.
Kirkland UK was recently appointed official UK distributor for RootWave’s orchard and vineyard models – part of a growing movement toward regenerative and sustainable fruit production.
Tom Archer, RootWave’s head of sales and marketing, said the collaboration combines innovation with trusted local expertise: “We’re delighted to partner with Kirkland UK to provide fruit growers a formidable weed control solution. Kirkland is a well-respected supplier to the UK fruit sector, and this partnership ensures growers receive a top-class product and aftersales support.”
Unlike traditional herbicides or mechanical weeding, RootWave causes no soil disturbance, protects tree and vine roots, and claims to achieve up to 99% control in a single pass. According to Rootwave, the eWeeding technology is a cost-effective and high-performance solution, creating financial and environmental benefits, while supporting better quality fruit crop production.
Demonstrations during the roadshow drew significant attention from growers keen to reduce chemical inputs without sacrificing performance.
Kirkland UK managing director, Scott Worsley said: “RootWave delivers a highly targeted, electric-based weed control solution that integrates seamlessly into orchard and vineyard systems. We’re proud to supply this technology to UK growers who need effective, non-chemical options that protect tree and vine roots, and meet the increasing demand for organic and sustainable practices.”
Speaking post-event, Tilly noted: “The reaction to RootWave was really positive — especially around the idea of weed control without chemicals. Seeing it in action helped people understand how it works, and a few commented that it could be a real step forward for more sustainable or organic growing.”
Kirkland also offers a wide range of Antonio Carraro tractors specially designed for fruit growers and vineyards, some of which were available for visitors to see. The full list includes compact tractors from 980mm wide and 26hp, to tractors of 1060mm width with full spray cab and up to 99hp. Top fruit reversible orchard tractors are designed to reduce ground compaction and rutting due to an even weight distribution, while the Mach 4 Quadtrack offers an alternative to wheels.
A popular model showcased at both events, was the all-new compact Panther, which is a highly versatile and manoeuvrable machine.
Strong turnout and positive response
Across both events, the atmosphere was reported to be lively and well attended, with a mix of fruit growers, vineyard managers and technical specialists. Visitors had the opportunity to speak directly with Kirkland UK’s product experts and watch machines perform in real working conditions.
On attendance, Tilly said: “We had around 40 to 50 visitors at each event. In Scotland it was mainly soft-fruit growers, while Hereford attracted a mix of vineyard, top- and soft-fruit producers, with just a few arable farmers. Overall, the demos definitely got people talking – not just about the technology itself, but about what the future of farming could look like with tools like these.”
Scott Worsley noted that the events were about more than product demonstrations – they also reflected a wider shift toward sustainability and smarter resource management.
“We understand the challenges growers face, from labour shortages to increasing production costs. These events are about demonstrating practical solutions that can be integrated into existing operations to deliver real benefits,” he added.
Looking ahead
With both the Burro and RootWave now available through Kirkland UK, alongside a superb range of compact tractors, the company says it plans to continue hosting similar regional demonstration days to give growers hands-on experience with emerging technologies.
As pressures mount across the fruit and vineyard sector, Kirkland UK’s latest partnerships highlight how automation and electrification can help safeguard productivity while supporting more sustainable farming practices.
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