Agronomist Mike Stoker has joined biostimulant specialist Orion FT to offer advice to farmers seeking alternatives that can strengthen crops and improve soil health. Mr Stoker brings with him more than 20 years’ experience, of which 18 were spent with fertiliser specialist Yara.

“Joining Orion FT as Business Development Agronomist is an opportunity I had to take. Biologicals are fast becoming the answer to more sustainable farming methods and Orion has abundant trial data to show how important silicon is to strengthening crops,” said Mr Stoker.

Orion FT’s principal product, Sirius, is a silicon biostimulant that can be used on a wide variety of plant species including arable, fruit and horticulture varieties. It strengthens plants against external stress by helping develop deeper root structures, increasing leaf hair density and cell wall thickness.

Mr Stoker has significant experience in top fruit and horticulture and is based in the southeast of England.

“Whilst working with growers locally, I also intend to cover the length and breadth of the UK as well as looking for international opportunities to offer advice on how silicon and other biostimulants in our portfolio can help strengthen and increase the yield of everything from wheat to strawberries.”

“Orion’s products have harnessed, and can make plant available, the second most abundant element on the planet, so explaining its benefits to farmers and growers is too good an opportunity to miss,” he concluded.