Seeds
Licensed seed inspection experiment renewed
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has welcomed the renewal of the EU’s temporary experiment on the inspection of pre-basic and basic crops by licenced inspectors, and the recognition of its importance in the UK by Defra. The move could lead to permanent...
Wynnstay acquires Armstrong Richardson Agriculture
The Wynnstay Group has acquired two businesses from the Armstrong Richardson Group - Armstrong Richardson Agriculture and the Yorkshire Green grass seeds brand – for an undisclosed sum. Armstrong Richardson was established as an agricultural merchant by the Jones...
Germinal invests in net zero forage R&D
Grass and forage plant breeder Germinal is to fund a research team at Aberystwyth University in a public/private venture that aims to help enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability against a background of climate change. Germinal and Aberystwyth University...
New arable director for Hutchinsons
Gary Mills-Thomas has joined agronomy service group Hutchinsons in the new role of arable business director. He has spent over 30 years at Syngenta and its predecessor businesses, eight of which as country head for the UK & Ireland. Arable agriculture is facing a...
Premium for Budweiser’s Explorer barley contract
The closed supply chain procuring Explorer spring barley for Budweiser’s UK brewing operations – now in its seventh year – is guaranteeing growers a minimum premium for the first time. Seed for Explorer, bred by Secobra in France, is available to contracted growers...
Openfield Group in profit for third year
The Openfield Group of arable marketing businesses has reported a surplus in the year ended June 30th 2020, its third consecutive year of profitability. Figures for subsidiary Openfield Agriculture are not published yet. The farmer-owned Group has reported a pre-tax...