Hort News

Low Carbon Agriculture 2025 returns to Stoneleigh NAEC The UK’s only event dedicated to sustainable farming and carbon reduction practices, is returning to NAEC Stoneleigh on the 5-6 March 2025. With the UK agricultural sector playing a pivotal role in achieving the nation’s Net Zero goals, the event serves as a critical hub for connecting solution providers with those eager to adopt new technologies and strategies to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental stewardship... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/dzfqDcGe #sustainablefarming #carbonreduction #netzero

British Ornamentals Association now accepting nominations for the prestigious awards British Ornamentals Association (BOA) is now accepting nominations for the prestigious awards that will be presented at their pre-conference dinner on the evening of 4th February 2025, just before the Technical Conference. This is your opportunity to recognise the outstanding contributions of your peers in the horticultural industry... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/d2NAGzmQ #Horticulture #BritishOrnamentals

Driscoll’s officially launched in the UK Driscoll’s has officially launched its brand in the UK, two years after the Californian-based global soft fruit giant acquired Berry Gardens Limited, the sales, packaging and distribution arm of co-operative Berry Gardens Growers Limited. Focusing on London, the new campaign, which is being run by marketing agency And Rising and brand consultancy Tomorrow Brands, includes billboards, sampling and what is described as ‘a fruit-gifting installation in Brick Lane.’ A Driscoll’s bike will also pop up in key locations... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/eJ5TFbpJ #berries #softfruit

Precision Pollination project is a step towards better food security A ground-breaking project titled “Precision Pollination for Higher Strawberry Productivity and Quality” is set to revolutionise strawberry production through cutting-edge drone technology. This initiative aims to enhance both the yield and quality of strawberries—a high-value crop valued at £377 million in 2022—while also contributing to improved food security. Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/eJ5TFbpJ #agritech #pollination #softfruit #sustainability #foodsecurity

Agroberries and BerryWorld Group combine to create the second largest berry company in the world Agroberries, a leading global grower, marketer and distributor of fresh berries, today announced the acquisition of BerryWorld Group Holdings Limited, Europe’s largest berry marketer. This transformative combination creates an industry champion with a diversified global footprint operating across the value chain and uniquely positioned to serve the fast-evolving needs of consumers around the world... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/eJ5TFbpJ #acquisition #newbeginnings

Further delay to import checks welcomed Representatives from the fresh produce industry have welcomed the announcement that the government will extend ‘the easement of import checks on medium-risk fruit and vegetables imported from the EU from January 2025 to 1 July 2025.’ This means that a wide range of fruit and vegetable products will not be subject to import checks at the GB border or charged the associated fees until this date... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/dzfqDcGe #BTOM #imports

Experienced grower joins ICL technical sales team Skilled grower and sales professional, Jason Colin, has joined ICL Professional Horticulture as a Technical Area Sales Manager – covering the Northern Home Counties (Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Berkshire and Hertfordshire). A third-generation grower with dual South African / British nationality, Jason grew up working on his family’s sizeable ornamentals nursery... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/d2NAGzmQ #horticulture #ornamentals #newappointment

Many UK growers intend to walk away from ‘unworkable’ ethical audit In recent months, UK grower organisations have made repeated requests for Sedex to pause its proposed changes to the SMETA 7.0 standard. Growers claim that the proposed changes are unworkable and cannot be implemented or audited correctly. At the heart of frustrations are plans for employers to have to pay the travel and visa costs of workers... Read the full article via #HortNews >>https://lnkd.in/eC-XnrXb #SMETA #UKfarming #Sedex

Game-changing biostimulant for UK tomato grower Through a new study funded by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and Innovate UK under the Farming Innovation Programme, SugaROx Ltd and Fera Science Limited will explore the feasibility of using a game-changing biostimulant technology to improve tomato resilience to climate change, whilst also reducing the carbon footprint of production in the UK... Read the full article via #HortNews >>https://lnkd.in/d2NAGzmQ #biostimulants #innovation #climatechange

John Walgate to take over as new CEO at British Growers John Walgate has been appointed as the new CEO at British Growers and will take up his appointment at the beginning of September 2024. John will take over the role of CEO from Jack Ward who will remain as a main Board director and continue his industry representation role on a part time basis working with John over the coming months... Read the full article via #HortNews >> https://lnkd.in/dzfqDcGe #newappointment #britishgrowers #ukfarming #ukagriculture