Elsoms adds R&D centre to accelerate crop breeding

Elsoms Seeds is expanding its research and development operations with a new Innovation Centre near its headquarters in Spalding, alongside a recently completed £1.7 million seed processing facility, as the company increases investment in plant breeding and seed technology.

The planned Innovation Centre will bring together the company’s Elsoms Seeds, Elsoms Wheat and Elsoms Ackermann Barley teams under one roof, consolidating breeding and research activities across crop types. The aim is to accelerate the development of higher-yielding and more resilient varieties at a time when seed companies are under pressure to respond to climate variability and rising demand for stable food production.

Construction is expected to begin in June 2026, with completion planned within a year. The facility will include climate-controlled growing rooms, laboratories and office space, and will be located next to Elsoms’ existing trial grounds. The proximity is intended to shorten the cycle between controlled research and field evaluation, while also allowing customer visits and demonstration plots on site.

David Coop, managing director of Elsoms Seeds, said the company’s research strategy is focused on practical outcomes for growers.

The company’s expanded facilities would also improve collaboration across its breeding programs and strengthen its ability to deliver new varieties to market.