The arable agronomy team has 200 acres (67 ha) of land available for field trials: from crop variety trials to nutrition and disease trials, with new products including biopesticides. Glasshouse facilities are also used for specific pest, disease, nutritional and other pot trial evaluations. A range of equipment allows all activities to be carried out by STC staff, maximizing capability and efficiency.
A full list of services can be downloaded here.
STC produces seed for a wide range of companies in glasshouses, polythene tunnels or outside in the field. The production of seed is an extremely skilled process, often lasting up to 12 months and involving spatial separation of different varieties of the same crop, and the continuous introduction of pollinators namely bees and blowflies. STC regularly produces seed of cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, parsnips, leeks, onion, lettuce and tomato and we have even produced peanuts for one client.
High quality seed is fundamental to growing crops whether for commercial purposes or for the amateur gardener, and STC can produce seed on a contract basis for a wide range of crops.
Novel crops often require a novel growing method. At STC we have wide-ranging facilities including our LED4CROPS shed and the CHAP Vertical Farm, and the expertise to develop growing systems and growing blueprints for novel crops.
Alongside the field trials at STC are commercial crops and a crop rotation to ensure farming systems which farmers and growers can relate to. The management of farm crops is to Good Agricultural Practice, with crop protection products applied according to field observations and fertiliser applied according to soil sampling and RB207. STC is a member of the Assured Produce Scheme and maintains records and systems in order to meet relevant standards.
In addition to farming the land, STC has been part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Higher Level Stewardship Scheme for nearly 10 years. There have been hedges and trees planted along field boundaries, there are grass margins along all the watercourses and permanent grassland has been maintained to encourage insects and mice and voles for a range of bird species. The increase in biodiversity over the last 10 years has been dramatic. We now have smaller birds such as reed buntings and yellowhammers, we have oystercatchers and skylarks, and small owls, barn owls and tawny owls – monitored and ringed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT). (Photo of tawny owls at STC in 2020, courtesy of YWT). With changes ahead in subsidies to encourage an increase in biodiversity on farms, at STC we aim to introduce further diversification, including tree planting and a wider range of native flowering species.
Our Horticultural Agronomy team uses specialist facilities to carry out a wide range of projects for commercial clients and the horticultural industry. This includes testing new growing substrates, fertiliser studies, efficacy and follow-on cropping trials (to Good Laboratory Practice & Official Recognition) and much more.
A full list of services is available for download here.
We work closely with leading industry partners and frequently hold client specific open days, or more general open days for farmers, growers and agronomists to view trials and engage with the industry to promote knowledge exchange and encourage discussion.
We can offer access to our field and glasshouse space facilities on a contract basis for you to undertake your own projects.