15 February 2011

NIAB TAG has appointed Patrick Stephenson as its Northern Regional Agronomist.
Mr Stephenson takes an immediate role within NIAB TAG. An award-winning independent arable advisor he is well-known throughout the region for his work on all aspects of crop production and farm business management.

NIAB TAG Director of Crops and Agronomy Stuart Knight says: "We’re delighted that Patrick is joining us; he will be a great asset, not only to our Regional Agronomy team, but to the whole organisation. With his genuine enthusiasm and progressive philosophy for the arable industry our farmer members will benefit enormously from Patrick’s wealth of experience, skills and knowledge."

Mr Stephenson is looking forward to the opportunities that come with his new position. "NIAB TAG is unique in the UK in its capability to connect plant genetic innovation and progress with good agronomy to ensure that the benefits are realised on farm. My immediate focus is to ensure that members, particularly in the north, continue to benefit from the wealth of technical information and advice that NIAB TAG has to offer. But this is also a great time to refresh our local activities and forge new links with growers across the region."

Mr Stephenson has over 25 years experience as an advisor, working not only with farmers but also as a representative on key industry bodies and government stakeholder groups. He has held the role of Chairman of the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), and latterly Co-Chairperson of the Global Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants, and was awarded Britain’s Agronomist of the Year 2001 by Crops Magazine and National Arable Advisor of the Year in 2007 by Farmers Weekly.

John Cussans has been appointed Field Trials Coordinator and will join NIAB TAG’s expanding team of crop and agronomy specialists.

"It’s great news that someone of John’s calibre and ability is joining NIAB TAG. His appointment is part of an ongoing process within NIAB TAG to attract fresh talent and strengthen the crops and agronomy team, as we aim to become an unrivalled source of research expertise and technical services along the length of the seed, variety and crop protection pipelines," says Mr Knight.

Mr Cussans joins NIAB TAG from Rothamsted Research. Known for his applied crop research, particularly on weed ecology, crop nutrition and more recently on insect pollinators Mr Cussans, and his fellow researchers, recently won an award for ’Outstanding Paper’ from the Weed Science Society of America for a joint paper published in the Weed Science journal titled ’Using assembly theory to explain changes in a weed flora in response to agriculture intensification.’

"I’m very excited about joining NIAB TAG and playing a part in the organisation’s mission to reconnect the UK’s science base with practical agriculture. I’m looking forward to working with the team to ensure the results and benefits of our crop research are transferred effectively onto farm," says Mr Cussans.