News article

Graham Caspell, an enthusiast for driving the commercial application of fruit research, has sadly died (Sunday 12 December 2021). Head of Farm and Horticultural Services at East Malling, he was 64 years old.

Finishing his school education at Dover College in 1975, Graham then gained a Higher National Diploma in Agriculture at Writtle College (1976-1979), before focusing on the family farming and transport businesses. His list of ‘PA…’ spraying qualifications was nearly as long as any fruiting lateral.

Conducted on AHDB Recommended Lists (RL) varieties, including candidates, the latest screens found that over half of the varieties tested were resistant at the young-plant stage.

Growers should use the information, alongside the RL (adult plant) disease resistance ratings, to adapt spray programmes in 2022, particularly at the T0 spray timing.

Our agricultural system provides affordable food for many and is underpinned by scientific progress in genetics, agronomy, and mechanisation with skills and techniques that we have incrementally built throughout the 20th century.

If you're looking to start a PhD in arable research then look no further!

The CTP-SAI will ensure scientists are ‘business aware’, opening up opportunities for careers across industry. Ensuring the programme is inclusive and recruits a diverse range of candidates into agriculture is a priority. The CTP-SAI aims to lead the sector by example, training the next generation of new thinkers, ready to act in the public and private sector to effect positive global change in the food and farming system.

In this video Mario discusses his NIAB career to date, tells us what excites him about his new role, and explains his vision for NIAB over the next five years.

He also touches on what he considers the best thing about working at NIAB:

The two research organisations are developing a business case for the establishment of a Soft Fruit Genetic Improvement Network, following in the footsteps of some major agricultural crops with a co-ordinated research approach to pre-breeding genetics of key traits and new breeding tools.

As part of the scoping study, NIAB and James Hutton Institute are encouraging all members of the soft fruit industry to complete a short, online questionnaire that will provide information to help determine the case for a Soft Fruit GIN. The 5-10 minute survey, open until 5th November 2021

Dr Heuer will lead strategic research and development, building upon NIAB’s expertise in pre-breeding of arable crops and complementing NIAB’s work in statistical genetics, biotechnology and data science as well as its significant programme of farming systems research and industry-facing knowledge exchange. Sigrid will also ensure close interaction with the University of Cambridge through the Crop Science Centre and develop joint projects supporting NIAB's gene discovery efforts as well as training the next generation of plant scientists.  

A plant pathologist by training, he retired this summer after nearly a decade as technical director at NIAB, where his primary role was leading the NIAB TAG membership programme, providing strategic agronomy advice and information to over 2,500 farming and industry members.

In all his roles, though, his insight when it comes to plant biology and applied plant science has made a huge contribution to industry-wide advances in disease control strategies, plus our understanding of fungicide activity, the physiological effects of fungicides and fungicide resistance issues.

The University of Cambridge has granted outgoing NIAB CEO Dr Tina Barsby the title of Honorary Professor in Agricultural Botany.

Honorary Professorships are one of the most prestigious honours in the gift of the University and mark academic contribution and rare distinction. Professor Alison Smith, Head of the University’s Department of Plant Sciences, explains that Tina’s contribution to agricultural innovation and to plant science means that she has the significant national and international recognition befitting a Professor at the University of Cambridge.

Dr Abhimanyu Sarkar

As Programme Lead in Legume Genetics, Dr Sarkar will help develop NIAB’s position at the vanguard of legume genetics and breeding. This will include building on our strong foundation in faba bean, developing a strong research portfolio in other domestic legume opportunities, and continuing to contribute to the improvement of grasspea and other tropical legumes.