Timac Agro UK has appointed Samantha Alexander as their new organic account manager.
Hailing from a family farm and with a First-Class Hons BSc in Agriculture from Aberystwyth University, Miss Alexander has previously worked at AHDB as a knowledge exchange manager. In her new role, she will oversee the nation-wide consultancy and technical support for Timac Agro’s organic farmers.
“It’s an exciting time to be an organic producer or a farmer that’s looking to embrace organic farming practices,” says Miss Alexander.
“The demand for organic produce is expanding year-on-year, with processors such as Arla targeting high levels growth of to continue to meet market demand for high-quality, organic produce.
Supporting farmers
“My role will be supporting farmers to meet this organic demand, by producing high-quality produce whether that be crops or livestock to create high value end-products such as meat and milk.”
Alongside industry expertise, Miss Alexander secured a farm tenancy of an ex-organic sheep farm in Ceredigion with her fiancé in 2021, meaning she’s experiencing the challenges of the sector first-hand.
“I appreciate more than ever the importance of maintaining and building fertility within our soils” says Miss Alexander. “When we carried out soil and forage analysis, coupled with measuring our grass growth last season, it showed us clearly how over time previous management, had depleted the soil’s pH and elements.
“We now farm with building fertility at the forefront of our minds, getting the basics right and farming in a sustainable way.”
In the new role, alongside advising on the organic certified Timac Agro UK products, Miss Alexander will be on-hand to offer consultative advice on the wider farm system.
Soil health
“At Timac Agro, our core principle is soil health; we work with farmers and growers to improve their soil health, helping them produce high yielding, high quality crops – whether it be grass, cereals, cover crops or horticulture. We offer organic growers’ bespoke advice, including extensive soil tests to benchmark their levels of soil fertility and nutrient status, providing them nutrition plans to support the needs of their crops and maintaining farm reserves.
“What’s key is assessing this on a long-term basis and ensuring a tailored approach to individual farms.”
She adds will be working with the wider organic industry network. “It’s important we continue to support our growers in-line with the latest policy, challenges and opportunities facing the organic sector. I look forward to working and meeting industry, in what is an exciting time to be an organic producer.”
