Frontier Agriculture has announced a strategic investment in its farm-saved seed offering with the launch of a dedicated mobile seed cleaning and treatment unit serving the West of England and Wales.

The move signals a significant commitment to the region, providing growers from Cheshire to Hereford with a localised service tailored to the specific environmental pressures of the West.

A commitment to local resilience and risk management

In an era of unpredictable weather and shifting regulatory landscapes, starting with the highest quality seed is a critical first step in on-farm risk management. Previously serviced by Frontier’s fleet based in Cambridgeshire, the transition to a dedicated western resource allows the team to react more dynamically to local demand and tight drilling windows.

Quality standards beyond the industry minimum

Reducing risk also means tightening the margin for error. While the industry minimum threshold allows for 12 ergot bodies in a 2kg sample, Frontier’s own standards are significantly more rigorous, targeting just one ergot body. Over 97% of samples consistently meet or exceed these elevated standards. This dedication to quality extends to the farm-saved seed sector through Frontier’s participation in the Verified Seed Scheme, ensuring full traceability, safety, and an independent annual audit of all mobile processing equipment. For the grower, this rigor translates to peace of mind and a reduced risk of crop failure or contamination.

The importance of quality

The new mobile unit, which integrates expertise previously marketed under the name Anglia Grain Services (AGS), features state-of-the-art cleaning and gravity separation technology. A key differentiator for Frontier is the use of full high-capacity gravity separator tables, which allow highly skilled operators to:

• Remove poor quality or diseased grains effectively: Minimising the risk of disease carry-over and low-vigour plants.

• "Hit" samples as hard as required: Producing big, uniform seed that flows better through modern drills.

• Enhance germination, vigour, and specific weight: Ensuring the crop has the energy to emerge quickly and compete with weed pressure.

• Apply precision seed treatments: Utilising advanced batch treaters to protect the genetic potential of the seed from the moment it is planted.

Integrated expertise

By combining top-tier kit with the expertise of highly trained operators, the team at Frontier is ensuring that growers have access to the best possible start for their crops, whether using certified or farm-saved seed. This integrated approach allows growers to manage their input costs without compromising on productivity.

Growers in the western counties and Wales are encouraged to contact their local Frontier advisors to discuss how the new dedicated unit can support their upcoming cropping strategies and long-term farm resilience.

More about Frontier’s investment into solutions that support future farm resilience will also be shared across its programme of local summer open days. Taking place in June and July across Frontier’s nationwide trials network, the in-field events are an opportunity for growers to connect with local advisors, network with peers and hear more about the research helping farms overcome today’s challenges.

Local event listings and links to register can be found here: www.frontierag.co.uk/events