Lower Drayton Farm near Penkridge has made agricultural history by planting 250,000 tulip bulbs for its 2026 Tulip Festival using fully autonomous tractors. The operation is believed to be the first commercial scale autonomous tulip planting project in the UK, demonstrating how autonomous machinery is moving from trials into practical, revenue generating farm use.
Fully autonomous tractors deliver precision tulip planting at commercial scale
The on farm demonstration was delivered in partnership with ASC Autonomy and featured two autonomous machines working together in a coordinated operation. A tracked autonomous unit equipped with a subsoiler prepared and marked highly accurate planting lines, while a wheeled autonomous tractor followed with a purpose built tulip planter.
Operating without onboard drivers, both machines relied on high accuracy GNSS guidance and task planning to maintain consistent depth, spacing, and row alignment across the field. The setup highlighted how autonomous platforms can handle specialist cropping tasks that demand repeatable precision.
Autonomous machinery moves beyond trials into real farm workflows
The demonstration attracted around 40 farmers, contractors, and agriculture students, who attended to see autonomous systems working under real field conditions. The event focused on practical deployment rather than experimental testing, showing how autonomy can reduce labor dependency while maintaining planting accuracy at scale.
For Lower Drayton Farm, the project reflects a broader strategy of combining advanced agricultural technology with diversified farm income streams.
Event information: Lower Drayton Farm Tulip Festival 2026
The autonomous planting operation supports the 2026 Tulip Festival at Lower Drayton Farm, a springtime visitor event designed to recreate the visual impact of Dutch tulip fields in the heart of the West Midlands.
More than 250,000 tulip bulbs have been planted across acres of working farmland near Penkridge, located just one mile from Junction 13 of the M6 and approximately 20 miles from central Birmingham. By spring, the site will transform into a large scale tulip display featuring dozens of tulip colors and varieties in bloom.
The festival is positioned as a day out experience focused on nature, photography, and seasonal scenery. Visitors are encouraged to walk through the fields, take photos, and spend extended time on site during peak bloom.
What is included with each ticket:
- Unlimited access to the tulip fields for the duration of the visit.
- Multiple designated photo areas throughout the fields.
- Entry to the on site Blossom & Bloom Tearoom.
- Free on site parking.
Ticket information:
- Standard ticket price: £12 per person.
- Christmas present offer available for a limited time.
- Open dated tickets valid for any day the tulip fields are open in 2026.
- Optional upgrade including a Cream Tea for £13 per person.
- Limited availability on promotional tickets.
Final opening dates and bloom timing will be confirmed closer to spring, subject to growing conditions.
About AgXeed autonomous tractors
AgXeed is a European manufacturer focused exclusively on fully autonomous agricultural tractors for professional farming operations. The company develops diesel electric and battery electric autonomous platforms designed for tasks including tillage, planting, mechanical weeding, and soil preparation.
AgXeed tractors operate without an onboard driver and are managed through a cloud based control system that enables route planning, task monitoring, and real time operational oversight. Built around high accuracy GNSS guidance and advanced safety systems, the machines are designed to address labor shortages, improve precision, and increase operational efficiency in modern farming.
Source: lowerdraytonfarm.co.uk
