Winning Farmers Weekly Arable Adviser of the Year 2024 has had a profound impact on Cornwall-based agronomist Richard Tresidder, enhancing both his professional and personal life while earning recognition at Agrovista.

“It’s rewarding to receive recognition for doing what I love,” he says.

Despite the accolade, Richard remains focused on his passion for agronomy. “I just want to be left to it,” he insists.

See also: Farmers Weekly Awards 2024: Arable Adviser of the Year

“I love walking through the fields, headphones in, just getting the job done.”

With more than 200 clients, Richard has his hands full, managing a diverse range of crops, from brassicas to cereals.

His commitment to agronomy is evident in his dedication to his clients, with whom he shares a deep trust.

Richard points to his relationship with farmer Adrian Semmens, at 340ha Brew Farm at Land’s End, as an example.

“Adrian trusts me to walk his fields and make recommendations, and I feel that trust is mutual.

“We work together to ensure a successful season, and that’s what drives me,” he explains.

While he isn’t actively seeking new clients, Richard remains open to helping when the need arises.

New technologies

Richard is also keen to experiment with new technologies and farming methods to improve productivity and reduce costs for his clients.

He believes in the power of small improvements, for big overall wins (see “Stack small, incremental gains for big wins”).

“If we can make small 1% improvements across five areas, that’s a 5% increase in production – and essentially, free money,” Richard explains.

In terms of agronomic advice, Richard is supporting his farmer clients in navigating the complexities of sustainable practices.

“Defra’s Sustainable Farming Incentive [SFI] is a fantastic tool,” he says.

Richard recommends his clients take advantage of the scheme, especially on marginal or less productive areas of land.

He advises making every inch of land work for the farm, no matter how small the return.

“If you’ve got some really steep fields or permanent pasture, and you can’t do anything with it, then stick it into SFI,” Richard explains.

When it comes to cover crops, he encourages his clients to consider their long-term crop rotations.

“If you’re planning on putting brassicas in the rotation in the future, you must be careful about what’s included in your cover crop.

“The risk of clubroot is real and can be devastating for crops.”

Climate adaptation

Beyond cover crops, Richard faces other challenges, including rising pest and disease issues in an increasingly wet and warming Cornish climate.

Slugs, in particular, are a growing concern. “The biggest pest we’ve had this year is slugs,” he admits.

Since the loss of metaldehyde slug pellets, he’s turned to cultural controls and ferric phosphate applications “as and when required” to manage the pest population.

Richard’s blend of traditional methods with cutting-edge technology, such as using a penetrometer for soil compaction and the Greenlight grower management platform for real-time crop tracking, allows him to provide tailored advice that maximises client returns.

As he continues to innovate in agronomy, his unwavering dedication to his clients remains the cornerstone of his success. “My goal is to be my best every day,” Richard says.

‘Stack small, incremental gains for big wins’

Richard is focusing on marginals gains in farming to boost productivity and returns for his clients.

In this regard, he says buying a penetrometer to help monitor the condition of his clients’ soil and compaction “was probably the best thing I’ve ever bought”.

This tool allows him to measure soil compaction, enabling him to make data-driven decisions about cultivation practices and avoid unnecessary costs.

He is also investing in real-time nitrogen testing to optimise crop management.

“I’m doing a lot more with the Greenlight grower management platform,” he says.

“I can write something on my iPad, and as soon as I save it, the farmer can see where I’ve been, what I’ve done,” he explains.

However, seamless communication is key for improving farming operations, with Richard relying heavily on WhatsApp for instant updates.