Alltech Crop Science has appointed Mark O’Neill as their UK business manager, as part of their continued expansion in the UK.

Mark is a cropping manager with over 20 years experience in the arable sector, and brings with him a wealth of skills to the team.

He will head up their portfolio of natural bio technology, developed to enhance crop yield and quality.

The arable sectors including fruit, vegetable, roots, maize and grassland will be the main focus for Mark, who adds that the technology is accessible to both organic and conventional systems.

He said: "Alltech are world leaders in fermentation technology and have developed a range of natural, proven and traceable products to enhance crop production, while supporting solutions to meet the growing challenges that producers face.

“Starting with the soil, this technology offers a sustainable method of production, providing growers with options that enable them to review their overall input applications.

“All ACS products are natural and organically certified in the UK, which gives growers flexibility and the confidence to use the product as and when they need to, for the benefit of plant health.

“I’m looking forward to working with both conventional and organic producers and organisations, to help overcome some of the challenges of production and to meet growing consumer requirements.

“There are mounting challenges for UK agriculture and growers are looking at alternative and sustainable ways to increase yields and quality.

"I’m very excited about increasing the reach of ACS products in the UK, where there is a rapidly expanding market for biotechnology.”

Mark joins Alltech Crop Science from Agrii, where he spent over four years developing international business, primarily working with high value irrigated arable enterprises in North Africa and Eastern Europe.

Prior to that he gained extensive practical experience as farm manager on a large arable estate in Ireland before moving on to global integrated food processor Almarai