RAGT UK is pleased to welcome Edward Stanford as our new arable product manager

Growing up only five miles from RAGT UK’s headquarters at Ickleton, Ed is no stranger to farming. His family have been farming for generations which ignited his love for agriculture. This inspired Ed to study at Shuttleworth Agricultural College and then move onto university, where he specialised in science and agricultural business.

Whilst attending a Cereals event, he was able to network with a breeder and land his first role which was focused on the crossing and breeding of several crop species. He then progressed to a commercial role in the industry, adding maize, soil health, grass and sunflowers to his portfolio. It was here that he got to work alongside colleagues from RAGT on the acquisition and sale of the company’s varieties.

Ed’s new role will involve collating all the team’s technical expertise and demonstrating each variety’s value for money to RAGT customers.

“Given my farming background and career to date, I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to join RAGT and to contribute to its future,” he adds. “I know how much hard work my colleagues put in to breed and develop our varieties and the skill, effort and patience that takes.

“We have some very exciting new varieties in the pipeline. As arable product manager, I look forward playing a key role in the commercialisation of our forward-looking portfolio across our customer base.”

David Ramdhian, RAGT UK’s head of forage and soil health, says: “Meeting Ed at a few trade conferences over the years, he showed a keen willingness to learn and network with as many people as possible. It’s a long time since I’ve seen a young person demonstrate such passion and a proactive approach to a very niche field.”

“With Ed’s background in cereal breeding and commercial experience in other crop species, I believe he will thrive here at RAGT UK and be an asset to the new integrated multispecies sales team.”