SCOTTISH AGRONOMY - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Managing Director
• Member of the Board of Directors
• Member of the Senior Trials Team

Adam began his career with Scottish Agronomy in 1989 after studying Agriculture in Aberdeen, and was appointed Managing Director in 2022. During his 16 years as Trials Manager prior to this role, he grew the trials programme to be the largest in Scotland, covering all the combinable crops as well as potatoes and cover crops. BASIS & FACTS qualified, he manages the trials workload and fights a daily battle with the Scottish weather to make the best of any suitable windows of opportunity. His favourite place in Scotland is The Hermitage in Dunkeld and he loves spring days, walking his dogs and Tunnocks Caramel Wafers.

Originally from Dairsie in Fife, Donald studied Geography at Edinburgh University before joining Scottish Agronomy in 2011. Donald is involved in both cereal and potato agronomy. In recent years Donald has sat both his BASIS and FACTS exam. He currently takes the Central Fife Group Meeting and helps with the Ellon Group Meeting, along with doing the crop walking for a number of 1-2-1 farmer members. On the potatoes side he helps with the group meetings, monitor seed crops during the growing season and helps with the winter results meetings. Donald has worked on the trials team, and still enjoys helping out with sowing and harvest at the busy times of year. He loves Caramel Wafers, a good cup of tea and walking with Skye, one of the office dogs.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Rhynie, Tain ( Vice Chairman )

Job Titles:

• Trials Manager

Originally from Penicuik, Douglas studied Environmental Geography at Stirling University. After joining Scottish Agronomy in 2015, he now lives in Dunfermline and has enjoyed a range of tasks with the trials team. Douglas gained his BASIS and FACTS qualifications in 2019 and was appointed assistant trials manager in November 2020. Main responsibilities include planning, day to day coordination of trials activities and execution of tasks in the field to ensure the efficient running of trial programmes. Douglas is also involved with training and development of trials team staff, disease assessing, machinery operation and preparation of application sheets.

Job Titles:

• Trials Officer

Job Titles:

• Member of the Senior Trials Team

Eric started at Scottish Agronomy in 2003. He was educated at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a BSc (Hons) Upper Second Class Agriculture. There followed a period of 9 years as a Consultant and later as a Senior Consultant with ADAS. Since leaving England, he spent a further period of 9 years as Area Agricultural Adviser with SAC in Angus. He is now the Senior Agronomist for Scottish Agronomy Ltd, providing strategic consultancy and applied research to a large, UK-wide and international client base. Eric is part of a team of agronomists who pride themselves in being at the forefront of technology in protecting crops economically but also being agile and responsive to new threats and opportunities for improved ways of supporting a dynamic industry. His work includes working with farmers, research organisations, private companies and government. Eric has a wealth of practical knowledge, with over thirty seven years of experience in crop and financial management, enterprise costings, farm business appraisals, cash flow budget preparation and monitoring, compensation claims and expert witnesses. In soil management, in relation to soil fertility and fertiliser applications. Eric is passionate about all aspects of potato agronomy and potato storage. His potato work has spanned a wide range of projects from crop nutrition, foliar and tuber diseases, seed physiology. Well known as a speaker and authority on agronomic advice on farm and to support consultancy on Integrated Crop Management, combinable crop and grassland agronomy. He regularly conducts seminars and training courses on the transfer and application of science into practical solutions. Recent interests have been in soil health, plant parasitic nematodes, aphids, potyvirus and late blight. He is currently part of the operational group for the current AHDB Scottish Strategic Seed Potato Farm and the National Potato Virus Forum. He has also been previously involved in consultancy projects in Western Europe, North Africa, Asia, North America and Canada. Recipient of the Dr James Hardie Memorial Award 2021 presented by Pre-Basic Growers Association, November 2021, in recognition of technical support to the seed potato industry over many years. Associateship of The Royal Agricultural Societies (ARAgS) May 2022. Associateship (ARAgS) is a recognition of meritorious contribution to the agricultural and land-based industries of the UK and is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of achievement to the practice and development of agriculture.

Job Titles:

• Company Secretary
• Member of the Senior Trials Team

George has been a long-standing member of Scottish Agronomy and past Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is a past member of the AHDB Cereals and Oil Seed board and while there chaired its R and KE committee and the RB209 Nutrient Management review. He is currently on the James Hutton Institute board helping develop the International Barley Hub. George joined the staff of Scottish Agronomy in 2018 with the specific role of Governance and, along with the Senior Management Team, looking at business development opportunities. In April 2021, he assumed the role of Interim Managing Director and Company Secretary. George loves a rock concert. Did you know he worked at T in the Park for 18 years? Promoted to Front of House Manager, he got access all areas and backstage passes to see all the stages to his heart's content. When he's not at a concert he's escaping to a country house hotel with his wife for total chill and good food. If he could share a long car journey with anyone, he would want someone with a good life story. Top of the list would be David Jason or Captain Tom.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Senior Trials Team
• Deputy Managing Director & Agronomist

Greg started his career with Scottish Agronomy in 2003 and is involved in delivering advice through the full range of the combinable crop and potato agronomy services. Greg is involved in managing staff development and seeking opportunities to increase the member value provided by the co-operative. Prior to taking up his current role, Greg's career has included posts managing crop trials and he has a track record in the delivery of research and KT projects. He is a regular platform speaker at industry events and contributor to technical publications. Greg and his family have strong ties to Scottish agriculture, and he maintains a practical approach to decision making and research.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors
• Sandystones, St Boswells ( Chairman )

Job Titles:

• Member of the Senior Trials Team
• Office Manager

Jane is originally from Stockport, South of Manchester but was born to a Scottish Dad, moving up here 11 years ago from her home in the Peak District Park and now based in Balbeggie, Perth. Jane brings a wealth of Office Management experience with her, taking on a wide range of duties from being the first-person visitors see to get a cheery welcome, to buying biscuits to keep the Trials Team going, organising the events and meetings, keeping the membership data updated and sending out the Bulletins and Mailchimp updates, to name just a few. Very partial to Champagne and Wine Gums, she is a very keen gardener, has 4 dogs and spends her home-time making jams and preserves, collecting and selling antiques and running a successful Airbnb with her partner.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Senior Trials Team
• Senior Technical Officer

Jeanette is from St Andrews, Fife and has an honours degree in Animal Biology from Napier University, Edinburgh. She has been with Scottish Agronomy since 2003 starting her career as a Trials Officer. Now a Senior Technical Officer, her role at Scottish Agronomy principally involves supporting the Trials Manager with health and safety management, staff training needs and quality assurance responsibilities within the business. As well as being heavily involved with data delivery and handling from the Trials programme, Jeanette is responsible for ensuring all trials testing experimental products are conducted to GEP (Good Experimental Practice) and under the regulations set by CRD (Chemicals Registration Division). Her home life is busy but happy, with two young children and one very bouncy border terrier.

Job Titles:

• Facility Manager
• Member of the Senior Trials Team

Originally from Kinross-shire, Steve studied at SRUC before travelling to the United States of America to work on a large farm as part of a Custom Harvesting crew. Steve also travelled extensively in the USA, Canada and New Zealand. He joined Scottish Agronomy in 2004 as a trials officer, the starting position for many in the company. Since then, he has carved his own route in the company, taking on responsibility for machinery/field operations/repairs and developing his role to now be responsible for fleet and machinery procurement. He ensures the Arlary facility is kept in good condition so that the trials team work efficiently. He also supports the trials team during the busy periods.

Stevie started life at Scottish Agronomy in 2014 having previously worked on a trout farm just outside of Perth. His time is split between the advisory of both potatoes and cereals and helping in the trials team. In 2018 Stevie achieved his BASIS and FACTS qualifications, which he puts to use at the Kelso and Strathmore group meetings as well as providing crop walking services to 1-2-1 members. In the trials team Stevie helps to develop some of the junior members of the team and is involved with all aspects of the potato trials when required. Outside of work Stevie still enjoys the odd game of rugby and is now in his 22nd season with Perthshire. He loves early mornings, coffee and is partial to a Gold bar.

Originally from near Castle Douglas, Zach moved to the drier climate of Angus after finishing his BSc (Hons) in Agriculture. He worked for several years as an Agricultural Consultant and laterally the Area Manager in Angus for SAC Consulting. Zach studied part time while working as an Agricultural Consultant to attain his MSc in Soils and Sustainability. Not one to miss an exam, he then went on to complete BASIS and FACTS and is also a fully accredited FBAASS advisor. Zach enjoys taking a whole business view to improve the efficiency and profitability of farming operations. He currently assists with agronomy groups and has a range of one to one agronomy clients. Zach has worked on a range of projects which complement the on-farm advice he provides, including but not limited to, the Farming for a Better Climate initiative; the Monitor Farm Network; and the Tuberzone Project, funded through the Knowledge Transfer Innovation Fund. In his spare time, Zach enjoys all things DIY (except plumbing!) and has recently finished renovating his house. He also enjoys hillwalking with his wife, and is slowly working his way down the Munroe list. Nala, his Golden Retriever has added to the Scottish Agronomy pack of hounds, and never misses a walk.