Who We Are
The UK’s most innovative precision farming service; providing expert independent advice on soils, crop nutrition, remote sensing and precision farming solutions.
The IPF team works alongside farmers and their advisors throughout the UK and Ireland.
Since its launch in 2020 IPF has set the standard in the precision farming sector. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, excellent customer service and innovative use of the latest technologies.
Our in depth knowledge of soil makes us first choice for precision farming and soil nutrient management.
IPF continues to be developed in conjunction with leading farmers and agronomists. This ensures that we remain the most flexible, simple to use and cost-effective precision farming service on the market.
The IPF Team
- Max Dafforn
- Tom Westerman
- Alex McIntosh
Max Dafforn - IPF General Manager
Max has a keen interest in plant biology and agriculture. He has a BSc in Plant Science (Manchester) and an MSc in Sustainable Crop Production from the University of Warwick. He moved from Pembrokeshire to join the Courtyard team in 2020 and has since completed his FACTS qualification. Other interests include surfing, fishing, running, cooking, and the outdoors.
Tom Westerman - Precision Farming Account Manager
Tom joined IPF in 2020, soil sampling whilst completing his studies at the Royal Agricultural University where he graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Agriculture (Sustainable Soil Management). Tom is FACTS qualified and became an IPF Account Manager in September 2020.
Tom’s interest in agriculture came from a six month stint mustering cattle on a 1 million acre beef station in the Australian outback! He has since gained further practical experience, spending his summer’s working the harvest with Farmcare. Tom has a keen interest in technology and its use in agriculture. Other interests include playing squash, football and riding motorbikes.
Alex McIntosh - Precision Farming Account Manager
Alex joined IPF in 2020 having graduated from University of Plymouth with a BSc in Earth Science. He started work as a soil sampler collecting P,K,Mg samples. Since then he has gone on to carry out pH testing, Soil Mineral Nitrogen sampling, soil zoning and most recently begun training as an Account Manager. Alex is a keen cyclist riding and racing for local club Cotswold Veldrijden.
- Lucy Bane
- Richard Middleton
- Tom Taylor
Lucy Bane – Marketing Project Manager
Lucy has recently joined the team at IPF. She has a marketing background in both finance and construction and is also a qualified internal auditor. Lucy has recently completed seven years of part-time study and has graduated with a first class BSc Hons in Psychology. In her spare time Lucy is a keen gardener and decorator, having bought an old cottage requiring renovation!
Richard Middleton - Technical Services Manager
Richard has a HND in Agriculture (Seale Hayne) and is FACTS qualified. Richard has 20 years practical farming experience in Leicestershire, Shropshire, Oxfordshire & Berkshire including arable, beef, sheep, dairy and woodland. Richard also has 21 years experience in soil consultancy. Hobbies include road cycling with local club Wanborough Vets and walking.
Tom Taylor - Technical Support Analyst
Tom has a BSc in Interdisciplinary Science from the University of Leicester, and a keen interest in computing and the environment. Tom's interests include running, walking, and when possible skiing.
- Zhigang Liu
- Andrew May
- Lizzy Black
Zhigang Liu - Head Soil Scientist
Liu has a BSc (P.R.China), MSc (Reading), Ph.D (Coventry) and is FACTS qualified. Liu's interests are precision farming, soil management, nutrient management and forage legumes.
Andrew May - Soil and Grassland Consultant
Andy has a BSc in Agriculture (Aberystwyth) and an MSc in Soil Science and Environmental Pollution Management (Reading). He has 10 years practical farming experience (arable and sheep) along with 15 years forestry conservation management in the UK and Texas. In his spare time he enjoys swimming, cycling, community sports coaching and GCSE homework!!
Lizzy Black - Soil Sampling Manager
Lizzy came to IPF in 2020, having graduated from University College Falmouth with a degree in Graphic Design. With a love of the outdoors she took to the job of soil sampling and has been sampling ever since. Now trained in P, K, MG and pH testing Lizzy carries out a large quantity of the local sampling, as well as occasional long distance jobs. Lizzy also enjoys walking the family dogs as well as photography, art, the gym and travelling.