Growers Gather at Greenmount Campus
December 3, 2025
The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) launched an exciting new series of industry events with its inaugural ‘Growers’ Gathering for Production Horticulture’. Focused on the pressing challenge of reducing and replacing peat in horticultural production, the event brought together over 50 growers, suppliers, growers, students, researchers, and key stakeholders to Greenmount Campus, Antrim. Attendees enjoyed a dynamic programme of technical talks, interactive question and answer sessions, and hands-on demonstrations designed to spark innovation and collaboration across the sector.
The morning sessions set the tone for innovation and collaboration. Dr Paul Alexander of Bulrush Horticulture Ltd opened with an industry-focused insight into the latest developments in peat-free growing media.
Dr Raghavendra Prasad from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), shared cutting-edge research driving the transition to 100% peat-free production across commercial and domestic horticulture.
Both speakers delivered a clear message: the sector is on a steep learning curve. After decades of reliance on peat, growers must now rethink and relearn their practices to integrate new materials effectively. Emphasising the importance of research and experimentation, they encouraged attendees to trial different peat-free media on their own sites to discover what works best for their systems.
Policy and research took centre stage as Mark Preston from DAERA’s Peatland Policy team outlined the department’s commitments under the recently published Peatland Strategy, including plans to phase out peat use in horticulture by 2030. The event provided a valuable platform for policymakers and industry stakeholders to exchange views on this critical transition.
Adding a cross-border perspective, Dr Eoghan Corbett from Teagasc shared insights from Beyond Peat, a collaborative initiative supported by DAERA through the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI). The project is investigating sustainable alternatives such as straw, wood fibres, and green waste for use in peat-free growing media, with trials already underway in strawberry and mushroom production.
Dr Konstantinos Xyntaris, Senior Horticulture Technologist at CAFRE, provided an update on ongoing projects at Greenmount Campus. Joined by Mark Huey, Horticulture Technologist, CAFRE they led attendees on a tour of the demonstration plots showcasing practical peat-free solutions in the Horticulture Centre. Highlights included trials comparing conventional controlled-release fertilisers (CRF) with blends using waste-derived biofertilisers in containerised perennials, bedding plants, and ornamental cabbage. Visitors also saw peat-free poinsettias grown under a ‘cold-grown’ regime, achieved by adjusting husbandry three weeks earlier, and successful production of tree seedlings in cell trays using peat-free media. The tour concluded with an innovative season-extension trial for strawberries, featuring a coir-based late autumn crop grown at the shoulders of the main season with minimal electricity inputs.
David Dowd, Acting Head of Horticulture at CAFRE, provided an overview of the new Horticulture Pilot Scheme, highlighting two exciting opportunities still open for applications. The Scheme aims to support innovation and sustainability within the sector, offering growers practical ways to adapt and thrive. For full details and guidance on how to apply, visit www.cafre.ac.uk
David Talbot, Senior Horticulture Consultant at ADAS, delivered an insightful update on the use of bioprotectants for managing pests and diseases in ornamental crops. His presentation offered practical tips for maximising the effectiveness of these products, followed by a guided walk through the Greenmount glasshouses where attendees saw these strategies in action.
The Horticulture Team at CAFRE is planning further events and courses aimed at industry professionals throughout 2026. Keep up to date by checking the events section of the CAFRE website (www.cafre.ac.uk).