Supplier celebrates 20 years of biostimulant sales

The UK distributor of one of the longest-established biostimulant brands is celebrating 20 years of helping farmers protect their crops and increase yields.

MJP Supplies began representing seaweed-based biostimulant Algifol in 2005. More than 100,000 litres of the product – which includes a range of trace elements – have since been told to UK growers.

Marcus Palmer, who owns MJP Supplies, discovered Algifol when researching biostimulants in 2004, following concerted marketing efforts by some of the large chemical companies..

Yields and quality

“I was very curious about whether or not a biostimulant could help my potatoes,” says Mr Palmer, who farms near Spalding, Lincolnshire.

“We saw our yields and quality improve considerably compared to our control area. In fact, I was so impressed with its effect over several years, that I asked Neo-Med Pharma if I could represent them in the UK.”

Mr Palmer started selling Algifol locally to farmers in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. Today, there are over one hundred growers across Great Britain applying Algifol to their crops.

One of the first customers was Greg Gowler, who was using Algifol before Mr Palmer started representing the brand. Mr Gowler still applies Algifol to his potato crop today, saying yield and quality both benefit.

Natural product

“Farmers using Algifol are generally really happy with the effects,” says Mr Palmer.

“It is completely natural, improves yields, reduces stress caused by droughts, heat and heavy rainfall, and is incredibly cost-effective, with just one litre enough to spray one hectare.

“It also combines well with nitrogen, allowing growers to reduce the amount of nitrogen fertiliser they need to apply – and therefore save money without impacting the quality of their crops.”

Most of Mr Palmer’s customers grow potatoes, oilseed rape and sugar beet. NeoMed-Pharma recommends four applications of one litre of Algifol diluted at a ratio of up to 1:1,000.