Horticulture technology goes on show for a day

Stockbridge Technology Centre, near Selby, finds ways to turn laboratory findings into practical techniques for farms and glasshouses and is throwing its doors open to the public for Open Farm Sunday on June 13.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jun 2010, 16:09 BST
Updated 4th Jun 2010, 16:09 BST

Julie Langdale, an agronomist who works on the 180-acre site, says: "It's very very sandy soil, and obviously irrigation is really important, but it's Grade A land – perfect light land."

A couple of acres of the site have been turned over to the school groups who come in coachloads.

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"It's about re-connecting the children with growing," says Mrs Langdale.

But school visits are only a small part of the work . It is applied research which pays the bills.

One small field near the entrance to the site is full of weeds but that is no mistake. It is a field trial for a chemical company which has specified the weeds and the doses and timings of herbicides.

Graham Ward, chief executive at Stockbridge, points out two strips where wheat is fully grown without weeds.

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He says: "I suspect this weedkiller treatment, which does everything marvellously, is probably about 50 a hectare. So it's very expensive, but does the job."

The farm is around Stockbridge House, a mile out of Cawood on the B1222, YO8 3TZ. It will be open 12-4 on June 13. Email julie [email protected] or phone 01757 268275.

CW 5/6/10