5 questions with Sam Rivers

With a BSc in Horticulture and an MSc in Entomology from Harper Adams, Sam Rivers joined Cambridge University as a senior horticulturalist, before joining ICL in 2019 as a Technical Area Sales Manager for the Home Counties. In 2021 he was promoted to ICL Technical Manager for Controls – covering plant protection products and biostimulants.

What does your job entail?

Part of the technical team for the UK and Ireland, my role is to expand our plant protection and biostimulants portfolio and oversee robust trials of new products. I work alongside our industry partners to bring new products to the market and support registration and trials of new and existing products, such as biostimulants, beneficial nematodes and biofungicidal products.  I also still deal with the sales side of the job, supporting growers with their growing media and fertiliser needs.

Which aspects do you particularly enjoy?                                                                       

I particularly enjoy helping ornamental growers overcome any problems they might have on their nursery, whether it be growing media, fertiliser or plant protection related. Also, working on trials to see how new and existing products can help with any issues seen.

It’s been rewarding to develop our ground-breaking Plant Health Planner – helping growers plan and optimise plant health on nurseries year-round. A digital web-based tool, it simplifies and optimises plant health programmes – while simultaneously helping growers reduce reliance on chemical crop protection products, thus complying with the Sustainable Use Directive.

What are you excited about for the future?

With new regulations coming into force regarding the registering of biostimulant products, this sector is set on an exciting new trajectory.  Recent trials of our biostimulant range have demonstrated improvements in rooting, establishment and nutrient uptake, as well as a reduction in the impact of N drawdown – which is relevant as the industry moves towards peat free growing.   I’m looking forward to updating growers at Hort Science Live 2024 in July.

Are you a technology whizz?

I love technology, but I’m not sure I would consider myself a whizz! I believe technology has the potential to help us shape all aspects of our future and should be embraced, rather than feared.

How do you relax at weekends?

I enjoy playing golf, spending time with my wife and our horse. Having just moved house, I’m redesigning the garden so that keeps me very busy.