Composting for the future

09 May 2008

Branston is working with NOFCO (The Natural Organic Fertiliser Company) to test the effects of organic compost on ware potato production. NOFCO is a sister company of TEG Environmental. They convert organic waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfill or incinerated, into natural organic fertiliser via an in-vessel composting process.

Potato farmer David Wilkie is a major supplier to Branston. His farm in Perthshire has been selected as an ideal site for this commercial trial. Mr Wilkie will use the compost, made of well-rotted organic material, on two and a half acres of potatoes. The resulting crop will be stored in his recently contructed £200,000 cold storage facility, built to meet Branston's increasing demand.  

The trial is headed up by Branston's Senior Field Manager in Scotland, Jim Aitken. "The use of natural fertilisers has obvious appeal," comments Jim. "But it is only recently that organic compost has become available in the large volumes we need to use it viably on potato crops. This trial will see how naturally produced compost performs against conventional inorganic fertiliser."

Mike Orr of NOFCO is confident that organic compost will become a viable alternative for commercial food producers: "With a wider range of nutrients and improved soil structure and water retention, we believe that the use of compost as part of the overall fertilising process can improve the quality and durability of the crop produced. We are extremely pleased that a company the size of Branston is willing to test the benefits of composting."

The results of the trial will be judged by Dr Stuart Wale of the Scottish Agricultural College, who adds: "The rising price of fertiliser and the need to reduce carbon emissions, makes this an extremely important trial. If compost is going to be seen as a viable alternative to conventional fertiliser it has to be proven to perform on a farm scale."

Branston has always taken its environmental responsibilities seriously. The Scotland site has been accredited to internationally recognised ISO14001 standard for environmental management for the past five years. Surveillance audits are conducted every six months to ensure Branston maintains the highest environmental standards and follows industry best practice.