SOME GRAIN merchants have 'long ceased' sending samplers to farm due to safety concerns.

Announcing a new drive to improve the sampling process, AIC crop marketing sector chairman Mark Worrell said: “In advance of this year’s harvest ,AIC are keen to help the industry improve the health and safety of ‘on farm’ sampling and ensure farmers are well prepared and supported to adopt improved ways of working.

“Industry developed guidance from the AHDB on grain sampling, by the grower at store filling, will become increasingly important. Several AIC members have long ceased sending samplers to farm due to safety concerns, and this trend is expected to increase rapidly as we lead up to harvest 2020.”

Currently merchants send members of their team, or summer students, to farm to take samples which are then tested at a laboratory. AIC suggested that not only does this method present numerous health and safety risks, it is not the most efficient or accurate way to obtain a representative and accurate sample.

"The opportunity to send samples direct to merchants is increasing and this will also certainly help minimise any new risks which Covid-19 has introduced," said the trade body.