The internet of food: why your steak might have come from a connected cow

Smart sensors are being used to improve agriculture from farming lettuce to producing beef - and even protecting bees

The cleverest thing in your smart fridge may not be an automated re-ordering button, web-connected camera that tweets when your milk is off, or some other silly convenience system, but the food itself.

Agriculture has been quick to trial internet of things (IoT) technologies: already, sensor-controlled rooms are growing altered lettuce, cows are connected to improve milk, and the all-important bee is getting a boost from automated heaters.