Bill Angus, senior wheat breeder from Nickerson (UK) Ltd, part of the international Limagrain Group, and the Plant Breeding Team at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) have both been awarded the prestigious Technology Award by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).
Mr Angus and IGER Plant Breeding will be presented with their Technology Awards at the Royal Show award dinner and charity auction on July 2.
Bill Angus has led technological developments in wheat breeding for 30 years. His success has been achieved through diverse scientific disciplines, experimental endeavor and business acumen. "Mr Angus has the balance right between conventional and modern approaches," says Professor Wayne Powell of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB). "His wheat programme sponsors and supports more Defra LINK projects than that of any other breeder in the UK."
For many years IGER has championed plant genetics and the development of innovative grass, clover and oat varieties that have entered the market. IGER's focus currently is on breeding programmes to reduce the environmental footprint of UK agriculture. Its work has demonstrated the potential of genetic improvement, using advanced scientific approaches to support multifunctional land use and alleviate environmental impact.
RASE chairman of the awards committee Humphrey Salwey says: "It was impossible to separate these two prominent contributors. Their research and efforts in plant breeding have made a major impact on yields and outputs in the commercial world. As we advance and the requirements for land use change, we will benefit from further science being put into practice from their expertise."
Dr Angela Karp from Rothamsted Research will be presented with the RASE Research Award at the Royal Show. Since 1990 Dr Karp has led an internationally-recognised team on biomass energy production and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. "Dr Karp has been awarded the Research Award in recognition of her ability to study and communicate very relevant and topical issues," says Mr Salwey.
Dr Karp heads Rothamsteds' research on bioenergy and climate change including improvement of biomass crops for both static and transport energy sectors. Her work will assess the impact of large scale bioenergy use and potential for UK energy and environmental objectives. Her research will help provide improved biomass crops for the UK environment and provide information on technological and agronomic factors required to progress biomass and biofuel production.
"The award winners have all demonstrated great value to the UK agriculture industry," says Professor John Moverley, RASE chief executive. "The society believes that the impact of sustainable energy and environmental change must be carefully balanced with the requirements of food production. These outstanding scientists will help steer agriculture as these needs gain prominence."