Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by Sophie Wilesmith
Experienced crop development specialist joins Terravesta to drive Miscanthus variety development, agronomy and new market opportunities.
Terravesta has appointed Alec Farrington as innovation and crop development manager, bringing extensive experience in crop research, development and commercial agronomy to the Miscanthus sector.
Originally from a mixed farm in Staffordshire, Alec went on to study at Harper Adams University before building a career with Syngenta spanning cereal crops, sugar beet and oilseed rape. He held both European and global roles before returning to the UK as a breeding station manager, where he focused on crop development, breeding and field performance.
One of his career highlights was his involvement in the development of Hyvido hybrid barley, a world-first system. Alec was closely involved in developing the variety, the production methodology, optimising sowing timings, seed rates, nutrition requirements and inputs.
“I was always interested in how you take material from a breeding programme and get the best out of it in the field,” says Alec. “That means looking at yield potential, but also how the crop performs and what the end user needs.”
Alec sees strong parallels between his previous work and the opportunity presented by Miscanthus.
His focus at Terravesta will include evaluating the company’s existing genetic material and identifying where different varieties and types are best suited geographically.
“Some varieties will be more suited to southern climates and some to northern climates,” he explains. “It’s about picking out where the material works best and then developing the systems to get that product successfully into the ground at scale.”
That work will extend from the genetics and establishment of the crop through to its performance in the field and suitability for different end markets.
A key part of Alec’s approach is to try to put himself in a farmer’s shoes. “I try to think, ultimately, what will benefit the farmer? How do we make sure they get the best out of this crop?” he says.
That means looking not only at yield potential, but also at establishment costs, seed production, agronomy, harvesting and the requirements of the end user.
Growing end-markets
He sees significant potential in sustainable aviation fuel, given the scale of biomass that will be required, as well as opportunities in biodegradable packaging and plastics. Understanding the requirements of these markets and developing the right Miscanthus material to meet them will be an important part of his role.
“The aviation fuel opportunity looks like a huge opportunity,” says Alec. “The amount of material required is enormous, so there is huge growth potential to meet that market demand.”
His previous experience in seed production research will also support Terravesta’s work to develop planting and production systems, including understanding seed production performance and costs.
In the first six months, Alec’s priority will be to build a deeper understanding of Miscanthus – its biology, plant characteristics and how different materials perform in different environments – while identifying opportunities to develop the crop and its markets.
“There is a real sense of excitement about what Terravesta is doing,” he says. “The sustainability benefits are hugely important, and farmers are increasingly looking at these opportunities. I’m looking forward to helping develop the crop in a way that delivers for growers and the markets of the future.”
