Following the European Commission’s 50% chemical pesticide reduction, UK-based Elsoms Seeds decided to invest in a Bühler SORTEX optical sorter. Elsoms is now removing ergot, fusarium and weed seeds with unmatched ease. The company is also processing a wider range and varying quantities of seeds, while welcoming a new customer-base, thanks to its latest ‘bespoke solution’.
Established in 1844, Elsoms Seeds Ltd is the largest independent seed breeding business and supplier in the UK. “If you buy your vegetables from a supermarket or corner shop in the UK, it’s most likely been treated by us!”, states Philip Ayres, Seed Treatment Technical Manager at Elsoms Seeds. As a family-owned enterprise based in Lincolnshire, Elsoms started off as a rope making company before transitioning into a seed business. Since after the First World War it has been owned by the Keeling family to breed, supply and treat high quality vegetable and agricultural seeds throughout the UK, using the latest in plant breeding research and seed technology.
Approximately 115 employees work together to process billions of carrot, parsnip and onion seeds and many tons of red beetroot seeds every year. Elsoms deals directly with farmers and the companies that sell seeds to the farmers.