Seeding Success
Founded in 1939 by Captain Henry Alfred Walne, this forward-thinking agricultural business evolved from a traditional corn merchant into a diverse farm supplies company, which prospered when Framlingham welcomed the railway, linking the thriving market town to Ipswich and its busy port. Trade flourished and HA Walne grasped the opportunities to broaden its customer base beyond the local farming sector to supply seed, animal feed and agricultural goods further afield. By 1959, when Brian Walne succeeded his father as chairman, the company was poised for rapid expansion, with investment focused on building a new compounding mill, larger grain stores and purchasing a fleet of its own bulk-haulage lorries. The company saw turnover quadruple from 1964 to 1972 and had established firm business links with other agricultural suppliers, including specialist nutrition company Colbourn-Dawes. It began to diversify and launched a range of pet foods under its brand K9, it also started an animal health business stocking over the counter veterinary products, disinfectants, fencing supplies, silage additives and various livestock/pet sundries.
The 1980s proved a transition period for H A Walne Ltd. The company dissolved links with Charnwood Milling Company and following the acquisition by Walnes own board of directors during 1989, once again became an independent business. Investment focused on modernising its milling and seed processing facilities – a strategy that cemented Walnes reputation as a high-quality seed processor and supplier. The seed division continued to expand significantly and when the HA Walnes merchanting business ceased trading in 1992, Walnes Seeds Ltd emerged as an independent commercial enterprise. The specialist seed business continued to operate from its original Station Road premises in Framlingham until 2008.
Quality the priority
Further rationalisation and restructuring within the agricultural sector, coupled with increased market pressure and a strong, growing demand for traceability from farm to fork, encouraged Walnes Seeds to prioritise quality assurance and the development of bespoke agronomy services and technical support for customers and suppliers . Significant investment was given to providing HVS grade standards and certification for all of its cereal seed, and to delivering the highest standards available for its pulse and oilseed varieties.
Relocation and expansion
In 2008, the Station Road site was sold, and the business evolved to become Walnes Ltd, when directors Andrew Cooper, Tim Bater and Judith Golder purchased the enterprise as a going concern. Plans for relocation soon followed and in 2013 Walnes moved to Moat Farm, Earl Soham. The 0.67-hectare greenfield site offered improved logistics and opportunity to construct a purpose-built processing and storage facility incorporating the latest technology, powered by solar energy and a public weighbridge. The relocation has enabled further expansion of its arable seed production, cleaning and treatment activities and allowed considerable development of Walnes’ range of products and services for the sustainable farming/stewardship, horticultural and amenity sectors.
Suffolk Seed Laboratory was established in 2010. Part of the Walnes family, the Government licensed seed testing station provides independent analysis services to support seed certification to breeders, and seed merchants, as well as a full range of laboratory services to buying groups/co-operatives, farmers and growers.
In 2020, a new, purpose-built grass seed, herbage and cover crop mixing facility was commissioned at Yew Tree Farm, located opposite the Walnes’ main site. The 0.38-hectare premises comprise a blending and packing facility, warehouse and specialist cleaning equipment.
