GRAIN TRADER Gleadell and seed producer Dunns have formed a collaborative venture to market organic cereals seeds.

The agreement will see Dunns withdraw from the retail market and supply almost all Gleadell’s requirement for organic cereal and pulse seeds.

Dunns’ seed sales manager Phil Nicholls said: “Conventional growers get a lot of advice on varieties, whereas, historically, organic farmers don’t, and any information is generally fragmented.

“Our experience allows us to advise on the best varieties for organic cropping and we have the skills and accreditation to grow and process high quality organic seed.”

The move meant a natural partnership, he added, allying Gleadell’s retail sales force with Dunns’ already largely wholesale business.

Gleadell’s retail director Stuart Shand suggested that in time, buy-back contracts for seed may be available on some organic varieties.