Scottish Agronomy, Scotland’s leading independent agronomy advisory service, has announced the appointment of two new members to its board.
Amy Geddes is a fourth-generation farmer at Wester Braikie Farms near Arbroath. With 320ha of potatoes, barley, winter oilseed rape and wheat, the family has been a member of Scottish Agronomy for over 20 years. She says of the appointment:
“There is no doubt the quality and independence of the advice we have received over the years from Scottish Agronomy has been core to the success of our business. I am really looking forward to being part of the board and helping steer the strategic direction of the cooperative, particularly as we as farmers navigate the multiple challenges facing agriculture and an uncertain business environment.”
Also joining the board in April is Iain Wilson. Iain manages the 2000-acre Tulloch Farms, owned by Martin Gilbert, former CEO of Aberdeen Standard, 1650 acres of winter barley, winter and spring oats, winter wheat and broccoli with 250 suckler cows on permanent and rotational grass in the arable system:
Iain Wilson
“Savvy agronomy is one of the best returns on money – I saved my salary in inputs in my first year as Farm Manager at Tulloch Farms – and I think we sometimes underestimate how important it is to spend time on it, not least now as costs are soaring. I have always appreciated the whole farm approach of Scottish Agronomy and the extensive trials which guide their advice, and it is exciting to now be working with the board to continue to drive the success of these world-class trials and to attract new members to the coop.”
Fresh perspective
Scottish Agronomy chair Jim Mason said: “Amy and Iain will bring fresh perspective and ideas to the board table, particularly as we enter a new, more environmentally-conscious era in agriculture. We can’t stand still. We want more farmers to join our membership to help us develop and deliver cost effective solutions to meet today’s farming challenges – together we can make difference. I would also like to thank those who are stepping down, Craig Bartlett and Colin Mitchell, for their dedication and expertise in progressing Scottish Agronomy over the last 10 years, as well as their support and friendship.”
Scottish Agronomy is currently recruiting for a new managing director to lead the organisation. Established in 1985 by a group of progressive arable farmers with a mission to help growers find their own crop solutions, it now has over 20,000 market-leading trials plots, on which it bases its independent advice, and represents over 250 farmers and trade associates.
Central to the coop is its technical expertise and world-class trials which inform AHDB’s Recommended List, industry collaborations and a strong focus on practical, sustainable and value-centred solutions.
Mr Mason said, “Our aim remains to empower our members with evidence-based agronomic solutions.”
Details of the role can be found on the Scottish Agronomy website (closing date 1 April 2022).
