To raise the profile of its combinable crops portfolio, RAGT Seeds has appointed Jack Holgate to the role of arable products manager.
The company has had a series of successful breakthrough varieties, including the Skyfall milling wheat, and RGT Planet spring barley. There has also been development work on BYDV-resistant wheat and a relaunched oilseed rape programme.
“It’s a really exciting time to be joining RAGT,” said Mr Holgate. “As well as looking after the existing range of varieties, I’m very much looking forward to working with merchant customers and growers to develop opportunities for the exceptional new material emerging from our innovative plant-breeding programmes.
“RAGT is a global company and is making great strides as a business, developing varieties with a range of robust traits that will help growers maintain profitable crop production in the face of increasing economic, environmental and legislative challenges.
“I feel very fortunate to be joining RAGT at a time when so much is changing within the sector.”
Mr Holgate brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent three years with Elsoms Seeds, firstly as a crop manager, and then as national sales manager. Prior to that, he had worked with Openfield for four years.
RAGT Seeds UK managing director Lee Bennett said: “I’ve known Jack for quite a few years, and in that time he has developed into being a very capable operator.
“He has a high level of technical expertise, commercial acumen and is an excellent communicator. His skills will be invaluable in strengthening our relationships with merchant customers and UK growers and building our position in the market.”