British Seed Houses Ltd. (BSH) is the largest privately-owned seed company in the United Kingdom, providing a comprehensive seed service to the agricultural supply trade through two strategically placed units at Lincoln and Bristol. Our experience and flexibility have earned us an established position in the forage seed industry.
BSH and IBERS
As one of the institutes of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), IBERS is the major UK centre for independent research into improving the efficiency, potential and sustainability of grassland-related agriculture.
It has an annual research budget of £15 million and employs 350 people - of whom 116 are independent research initiators. In addition to plant breeding, IBERS' remit includes research aimed at understanding the physiological mechanisms involved in grass plant nutrition, quality and stress resistances.
BSH has funded the near market research for forage grass and white clovers at IBERS since 1987 and started to fund the same area of the red clover programme when it was restarted in 1998. This research and development programme represents a major investment and demonstrates the commitment of British Seed Houses to the continual improvement of our varietal portfolio. BSH and IBERS continue to work together on the UK's largest and most successful grass and clover breeding programme.
Breeding Programme Results
The programme has already produced many new varieties, which are currently being trialled in 27 different countries. These include the new Aber High Sugar Grasses: AberDart, AberStar, AberAvon, AberZest, AberEcho and AberEve. Both the grass and clover breeding programmes are at the forefront of worldwide varietal improvement, and produce cutting edge developments for farmers both in the UK and worldwide.
For more information about IBERS, please visit the IBERS website (click here).
UK Production and Quality Control
We produce the majority of our grass seed within the UK. A long established network of contract growers combined with seed cleaning facilities, independent seed regulations from DEFRA and seed trialling via the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB) and Scottish Agricultural Colleges (SAC), ensures our seed is of the highest quality and purity.
Association with International Seed Breeders
Associations with internationally renowned plant breeders and seed producers also enables us to offer an exceptional range of species and varieties, which are constantly being updated.
Production and Processing
Seeds for grasses, red and white clover, roots and oilseeds are grown on contract throughout the country and processed through our own plant - it’s our policy to increase the production of herbage seed in the UK. Whatever the species, attention to detail and rigorous standards of quality control have earned us a reputation for quality which is second to none. Field Production Managers are responsible for overseeing the process, which starts with careful grower selection. Our staff monitor all crops regularly and inspections are carried out by DEFRA-licensed inspectors.
Seed is sampled and tested at harvest, during processing and again as a cleaned product. Testing for purity, germination and seed vigour is carried out at Licensed Satellite Seed Testing Stations situated at our own processing unit. This units has the capability to test a range of species in addition to those we produce.
Processed Seed
The marketing and supply of processed seed is our main business activity. Whatever the product, straight cultivars or mixtures, seed is guaranteed to be certified and of the highest quality. Processed seed can be supplied in a manner most suited to the customer’s requirements.
