Alec Ross took over Biocell Agri in 2017 and has taken the company from strength to strength. He specializes in the use of live yeast and bioactive crop additives to support gut health and rumen function in livestock. Working with a team of specialists, he has delivered informative presentations on the benefits of live yeast for gut health and sustainability in feed and slurry management.
Based in Lochans in the picturesque Rhins of the Galloway peninsula, Biocell Agri specializes in applied microbiology in animal nutrition. Their key areas of expertise include the management of rumen function, the protection of health through effective mycotoxin control, and the management of both feed and slurry. The company offers a comprehensive yet specialist range of ingredients for any farmer looking to maximize returns from home-grown feeds and forages while maximizing the genetic potential of all livestock.
Starting a new business is never easy, but Alec Ross has grown the company year on year, with trade originating in Dumfries and Galloway and now extending to the Highlands, Orkney, and Ireland. The challenges of keeping supply chains going during a period of change brought about by Brexit and Covid have only given Alec more determination to get his products to a wide variety of the farming community, and he has more than tripled the customer base.
The next challenge for Alec is the need to respond to the changes coming to Scottish agriculture. With a greater focus on carbon and methane reduction, Alec has worked with his specialist consultant Hans to develop a range of products based on live yeast. For slurry management, live yeast additives offer reduced maintenance time and costs, reduced ammonia levels in buildings, more consistent slurry quality, reduced crop burn, improved soil structure, and reduced environmental impact. For cattle, the specific mode of action of the pure live yeast in Biocell Farm Mix means that its inclusion in TMR allows high levels of starch to be used while reducing the risk of acidosis. This change in rumen function reduces stress, improves energy supply, and limits post-calving weight loss. Biocell has also trialed inoculants in silage production with some encouraging results for yield and quality. The benefits of live yeast have direct environmental and economic benefits for the producer and will have an impact on the overall greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture.