Farm levy body merging knowledge transfer teams

AHDB is to combine its knowledge transfer (KT) teams for the cereals and potato sectors.

The farm levy body said merging the KT teams for its Cereals and Oilseeds and Potatoes divisions would result in better support for farm businesses in the arable sector.

The KT staff in the two divisions will now work for a single arable team and four new roles have been created to bring the head count up to 24.

The new roles, which include two regional posts and two based at the AHDB headquarters in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, are potato focused.

“Our analysis to date points to a relatively positive post-Brexit picture for potatoes,” said AHDB’s strategy director for potatoes, Rob Clayton.

“But taking advantage of this depends on strong links between researchers, agronomists and growers, and a platform for discussion between farmers and their peers.

“We believe that through expanding and aligning our arable knowledge exchange (KE) teams, we will be best placed to deliver this.”

Dr Sophie Churchill – chairman of the AHDB Potatoes board – said the creation of a larger arable team would allow the organisation to better support farmers who grow both potatoes and other arable crops.

Analysis suggests a relatively good post-Brexit potato picture