Some of the most interesting enquiries we receive start with a request about a grain that is not commonly grown in the UK. A customer has an idea for a new product, and the ingredient at its heart might usually be grown in other countries.
Importing that grain in small quantities for development work is possible, but it usually means more cost and longer lead times. It also means we know very little about the grain's provenance.
That is where The Mead comes in. Our family farm is located ten miles from our processing facilities in Berwick-upon-Tweed and spans more than 750 acres. In addition to growing crops for our own product ranges, it allows us to grow bespoke trial crops to support new product development work with our customers.
Can it be grown in the UK?
Every trial crop starts with a conversation. We find out exactly what the customer is looking for and whether the grain can be grown here in the UK. If it can, we agree which grain or grains will be grown and, from there, determine what time of year it should be planted.
Full traceability from field to fork
Growing a trial crop at The Mead means there are no unknowns about where the grain has come from. If the crop faces any issues during the season, we know about them, and so does the customer.
The customer has full traceability and full visibility of the process from field to fork. They also have full ownership of the grain that is grown for them.
Growing to suit the end product
There is no single way to grow a trial crop. The approach we take depends on what the customer wants to achieve, and the options include:
- a more organic approach
- an all-in approach, with disease control and nutrients managed in conjunction with our agronomist
- an environmentally friendly approach, perhaps with less chemical/ input or with minimum tillage
This is also where the farm and new product development (NPD) work hand in hand. A lot of what we do in the field will have an effect on the finished product, so finding out what the customer wants and why for the end product steers the decisions we make while the crop is growing. For example, if a customer needs a low-nitrogen grain, we would reduce our nutrient application plan for the crop.
Following the crop through the season
Once the grain and planting time have been agreed, we create a programme that the customer can follow throughout the growing season.
For an autumn-grown crop, we’ll invite the customer to see the crop once it has emerged after drilling. They can visit again in early spring and early summer, and also be there in person when the crop is harvested, if they want to be.
Between visits, we send monthly crop updates. Each one includes a photo and an update on what has been observed in the field that month. These updates can also be shared with other stakeholders within the customer’s business, such as buyers and product development teams.
From trial crop to finished product
The time a crop spends in the ground does not have to be a waiting game. While it grows, development work can take place on the product, covering areas such as nutrition and product design.
Our on-site NPD team supports this work, following a process that is split into three stages: concept development, scale-up and line trials, and launch. Once harvested, the trial crop is transferred to Silvery Tweed for processing. With access to our processing, blending, milling and coating capabilities, customers can assess how the grain performs in real product applications, and we can then take the product into scale-up production at our plant.
A long-term partnership
Growing a trial crop at The Mead is about more than the crop itself. We aim to create a partnership with the customer to develop a product, put it into production and keep it going.
As demand for the product grows, customers can scale up their supply of raw material, while we scale up the growth and manufacture of their bespoke ingredient, often on an exclusive basis. The ability to grow trial crops in partnership creates new possibilities for customers and helps take the guesswork out of product innovation.
If you have an idea for a new product and would like to find out more about growing a trial crop at The Mead, contact our team directly. You can also find out more about The Mead on our website.