The horticultural industry is in dire need of agronomic advice, according to newly-appointed managers of Omex's fledgling horticulture division, Scott Garnett and Mark Horner.
At the official launch of Omex Horticulture last week, the pair told representatives of the trade press they would be offering a level of service as yet unheard of from a nutritional supplier in the industry.
Horner said while other companies had long been providing bespoke nutritional solutions, no existing company had the necessary middle margins to offer ongoing support for no extra charge.
And with a distinct decline in skilled labour entering the sector, many producers, especially in ornamental horticulture, were crying out for advice, he claimed.
The aim of Omex Horticulture would be to build up relationships with growers to tailor feeds to their specific needs, and offer advice on best practice to allow clients to get the best out of their particular crops and water supply, Garnett explained.
He said: "We will work with growers over a long period of time and make small changes that are practical to bring growers to the level where they are achieving the quality they are capable of."
"It's surprising how many times people have been growing the same crop for years and years without the technical back up or knowledge to address the problems that keep coming up or adjust the systems at all after the initial instalment."
Although the company's focus would not extend to pesticide usage, Garnett claimed in many instances choosing the correct type and volume of feed could produce colossal improvements in crop performance, reducing the need for additional pesticides.
Omex's director of sales, David Brakes, claimed the company would be translating its established method of serving the agriculture sector, with the added expertise harnessed by Garnett and Horner after a combined 18 years of experience in horticultural production and nutrition.
One such approach would be the introduction of SAP analysis - a procedure commonly used in agriculture. According to Ian Elliot, Omex marketing manager, SAP analysis is a unique plant health indicator system which surpasses soil analysis in being able to provide an instant "snap shot" of the plant's nutrient status.
"This enables growers to correct deficiencies instantly to achieve successful management of the crop," he said.
Omex Horticulture will embrace all areas of the industry, including top fruit and soft fruit, ornamental horticulture, glass house salads, landscape and local authority, and speciality agriculture.
Horner said unlike agriculture which had not been profitable for years, horticulture had become an exciting and dynamic industry: "The time for the horticulture industry is now. At last the message of healthy eating and life style is getting through to the consumer. Compared to the agriculture industry horticulture has to be very focused because it hasn't had the advantages of subsidies that have been available to agriculture."
But very small changes in crop nutrition to produce dramatic changes in crop quality and yield, he claimed.
With production and distribution sites in Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Norfolk and Severnside, Omex is already well-placed to serve the main regions of the horticulture market, Horner explained. And with Omex Agrifluids division already established internationally, the new division would be able to benefit its clients with techniques and products learned from its partners around the globe.
The company is also involved in a number of specific projects with some of the industry's best-known research centres, and continually strives to improve the information it has to offer its customers, Eliot claimed.
Brakes said Omex is hoping to establish a solid customer base and expand the division within the UK before rolling out its services to growers across Europe, within the next five years.
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