Quentin Ham Email & Phone Number

Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom

South Uk

Crop trials supporting the South UK commercial team, demonstrating existing & new products to generate 'real time' data and information to the farming network.

Establishing and conducting both GEP and GLP field trials for various agri-chemical companies, primarily on; cereals, oilseed rape, legumes, potatoes and vegetables.Main duties include; working with farmers and/or agronomists to identify and establish sites to conduct trials (mainly through field walking), spraying trials, assessing the efficacy and crop safety of the tested pesticide, recording and analysing data through ARM including the set up of protocols and data files, combining trial plots, processing grain/seed samples, liaising with sponsors on trial progress including trials tours and discussions and final report writing. I am also responsible for the majority of training given to new field staff.Key skills required: a solid base of agricultural knowledge and a sharp eye on the growth and development of crops throughout the year so accurate timings are made with applications, strong relationship building with farmers and/or agronomists as they are the key to successful trials, practical skills to operate boom sprayers and trials combine, communication skills are essential between myself and colleagues within the company, both in the UK and with our teams abroad. A professional knowledgeable approach is also required with clients so we can build business for future years.

My role was to assist Agricultural managers in looking after their client portfolios plus taking full responsibility over a number of clients within each portfolio. Main tasks were to conduct both joint and individual annual account review appointments and appointments with clients to discuss new farm proposals. Administration and office tasks involved appointment preparation, completing lending applications involving trading account analysis, completing security charges, business and personal risk analysis, completing post-appointment paperwork, making pro-active calls offering additional products and services and answering any queries. Supporting office staff development plans through providing updates and information on agricultural industry issues on topics such as NVZ regulations. Taking on ‘Champion’ roles such as farm insurance in order to support regional colleagues in meeting business targets. Organising customer/professional events focusing on issues faced by clients and the solutions the bank can offer e.g. ‘managing risk’.

Managing the cropping of 487 hectares of organic vegetables, supplying all major retailers. Duties included; daily management of all farm staff (8 full time, up to 100 seasonal), planning and co-ordinating all harvest, growing and workshop operations, maintaining farm records, linking the farm with the operations of the packhouse, meeting high health and safety and technical standards, completing the annual budget with the farm owner and professionals i.e. accountant, working to the budget and providing input to production meetings, liaising with land owners on rented ground, and all duties held in previous position.Responsible for the harvest of all organic vegetable crops, peaking at fourteen over the summer, meeting orders from major retailers. Duties included; setting up operating, quality and health and safety systems, establishing piece work pay rates, management of harvest teams, record keeping, liaising with the procurement team at G’s, cost control and monitoring, crop walking and supervising.