Richard Austin Agriculture

What Richard Austin Agriculture does

Richard Austin Agriculture Ltd. is an independent UK soil analysis laboratory founded in 1974 by Richard Austin in Lincolnshire. The company specializes in Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) and Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) testing, positioning itself as the first UK commercial laboratory to offer PCN analysis alongside broader soil nutrient testing. Its core technology combines traditional microscopy cyst extraction and quantification (across PCN100, PCN200, PCN400, and PCN1K sample tiers) with DNA/PCR-based speciation testing introduced in 2019 to differentiate G. pallida from G. rostochiensis, enabling targeted variety selection for growers. The product menu also includes BCN speciation, broad spectrum soil analysis (pH, P, K, Mg, micronutrients, CEC), texture classification, soil mineral nitrogen, free living nematodes, plant tissue packages, grain analysis, compost and manure/slurry testing, plus GPS soil sampling coordination through sub-contracted UK partners.

The business operates a direct-sales model: customers contact the lab via phone (01205 722755), email, or downloadable website forms, and remit soil samples for per-test, quote-based laboratory analysis with optional priority turnaround surcharges. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The lab processes an estimated 20-25,000 PCN samples annually, representing over 30,000 hectares of UK potato growing land, and serves a fragmented UK agricultural customer base including potato growers, sugar beet growers, and broader farm operations. The company is a founding member of the UK Professional Agricultural Analysis Group (PAAG) and a member of the AHDB PCN proficiency scheme, providing industry-recognized quality assurance. Technical leadership rests with Technical Manager Dr. John Keer, who joined in 2011 with 30+ years of PCN analysis experience and over 100,000 samples analyzed. The firm is privately held with 1-10 employees, no disclosed external funding, and a single Lincolnshire headquarters.

Name

Richard Austin Agriculture

Legal name

Richard Austin Agriculture Ltd.

Website

https://richardaustinagriculture.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Independent UK soil analysis laboratory founded in 1974, specializing in Potato Cyst Nematode and Beet Cyst Nematode testing using microscopy and DNA/PCR speciation, serving UK potato growers, sugar beet growers, and farms via direct per-sample testing services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Laboratory Testing Services

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Nematode & Pest Diagnostics Services (AFACAKAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Soil Testing & Nutrient Analysis Services (AFACAKAA)

Keywords

• Soil analysis services
• Potato cyst nematode testing
• Agricultural laboratory testing
• Nematode speciation analysis
• Crop nutrient analysis

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Soil Analysis Services: Laboratory testing services for agricultural soil analysis, including PCN testing, BCN testing, and broader soil nutrient analysis. Revenue generated through per-sample testing fees with varying levels of analysis intensity (100g, 200g, 400g, 1kg sample sizes).
2. Specialist Laboratory Services: Additional laboratory services including Broad Spectrum soil analysis, Texture Classification, Soil Mineral Nitrogen, Free Living Nematodes, Plant Tissue analysis, Grain analysis, Compost and Manure/Slurry testing packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Richard Austin Agriculture operates an independent soil analysis laboratory in Lincolnshire, specializing in Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) and Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) testing for UK farmers. The company offers cyst detection and quantification via microscopy plus DNA/PCR speciation, alongside broader soil nutrient, plant tissue, grain, compost and manure/slurry analysis packages, and distributes pH field testing equipment.

Product overview

Richard Austin Agriculture is an independent soil analysis laboratory specializing in Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) and Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) testing services. The core offering includes PCN analysis (PCN100/200/400/1K) with DNA/PCR speciation, BCN analysis services, and comprehensive soil analysis packages (Broad Spectrum, Texture, Mineral Nitrogen). Additional services include plant tissue analysis, grain analysis, compost and manure analysis, GPS soil sampling, and pH testing equipment products. All tests can be conducted in conjunction with PCN analysis.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PCN100 Laboratory analysis service for Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN) detection from a 100g soil sample, providing a report with PCN count per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK potato farmers.
• PCN200 Laboratory analysis service for PCN detection from a 200g soil sample, with report on PCN count per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK potato farmers.
• PCN400 Laboratory analysis service for PCN detection from a 400g soil sample, with report on PCN count per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK potato farmers.
• PCN1K Laboratory analysis service for PCN detection from a 1kg soil sample, with report on PCN count per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK potato farmers.
• PCN Speciation (PCN SP) DNA/PCR analysis to determine PCN species (G. pallida / G. rostochiensis), enabling targeted use of tolerant and resistant potato varieties. For UK potato farmers.
• BCN100 Beet Cyst Nematode (BCN) analysis extracting cysts from 100g soil. Report includes BCN per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK sugar beet growers.
• BCN200 BCN analysis extracting cysts from 200g soil. Report includes BCN per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK sugar beet growers.
• BCN400 BCN analysis extracting cysts from 400g soil. Report includes BCN per 100g and eggs per gram. For UK sugar beet growers.
• BCN Speciation (BCN SP) DNA/PCR analysis to confirm BCN cysts, addressing difficulty in positive identification by microscopy alone. Can be performed per sample or per field. For UK sugar beet growers.
• Standard Soil Analysis (A001) Standard soil analysis including pH, Phosphorus, Magnesium and Potassium. Fresh soil sample required: 300g. For UK farmers.
• Organic Matter Analysis (OM) Organic Matter percentage analysis by Loss on Ignition method. Fresh soil sample required: 100g. For UK farmers.
• Broad Spectrum Soil (BS) Comprehensive soil analysis including pH, P, K, Mg, Ca, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn, Na, CEC, and lime requirement. For UK farmers.
• Broad Spectrum Extra Soil (BSE) Extended soil analysis including BS package plus Organic Matter percentage, Sand/Silt/Clay percentages, and soil texture classification. For UK farmers.
• Texture Classification Soil texture classification including Sand percentage, Silt percentage, Clay percentage, and texture classification. For UK farmers.
• Soil Mineral Nitrogen (SMN) Analysis including Dry Matter, Nitrate-nitrogen, Ammonium-nitrogen and calculated available Nitrogen in soil profile. Requires specialist packaging. For UK farmers.
• Free Living Nematodes (FLN) Soil test for Free Living Nematodes. Requires 1.5kg fresh soil sample. For UK farmers.
• Plant Tissue Package 1 (C013) Plant tissue analysis including Total N, S with N:S ratio, P, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, B. For UK farmers.
• Plant Tissue Package 2 (C086) Plant tissue analysis including C013 package plus Mo and Na. For UK farmers.
• Grain Sulphur (C500) Grain analysis including Total N, S with N:S ratio and interpretation. For UK farmers.
• Grain Check Suite (C521) Comprehensive grain analysis including N, P, K, Mg, S, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, B with N:S ratio. For UK farmers.
• Compost Package (H001) Compost analysis including Dry Matter, Bulk Density, Dry Density, pH, Conductivity, Nitrate-N, Ammonium-N, Chloride, Sulfate, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B. For UK farmers.
• Manure/Slurry Package 1 (I042) Manure/Slurry analysis including Dry Matter, Total N, P, K, Mg. For UK farmers.
• Manure/Slurry Package 2 (I093) Extended Manure/Slurry analysis including I042 package plus Cu, Zn, Ca, Na, Nitrate, Ammonia, pH. For UK farmers.
• pH Testing Kit Full pH soil field testing kit including 500ml pH soil indicator fluid, Barium Sulphate, 12 plastic test-tubes with stoppers, pipette, cleaning brush, pH soil colour chart indicator, and carrying box. For UK farmers.
• pH Soil Indicator Fluid pH soil indicator fluid available in multiples of 500ml with colour chart indicator included on request. For UK farmers.
• Barium Sulphate Barium Sulphate sold in 1kg measures (smaller measures available on request). For UK farmers.
• GPS Soil Sampling GPS soil sampling service arranged through sub-contracted partners for accurate PCN detection given the sporadic nature of the pest across fields. For UK potato farmers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 soil samples analyzed for PCN annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UK Professional Agricultural Analysis Group (PAAG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member of PAAG, which includes a quarterly proficiency ringtest of UK soil laboratories. This membership provides quality assurance through inter-laboratory comparison testing and industry recognition.
• AHDB PCN Proficiency SchemecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the AHDB PCN proficiency scheme, which includes an annual ringtest of PCN and other nematode types. Aligns with AHDB PCN Sampling & Laboratory guide (2018).
• Boston Crop Sprayers LtdminorOthersShares site location with Boston Crop Sprayers Ltd at Fen Road, Frampton West, Boston, Lincolnshire.
• Sub-contracted Sampling PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGPS soil sampling services arranged through sub-contracted partners across many areas of the UK. Enables comprehensive sampling services for customers.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Sciantec Analytical Services: UK agricultural analytical laboratory (part of Cawood Scientific group) offering feed, forage, soil, and plant tissue testing to UK farmers and agronomists. Direct peer in soil and crop analysis services for the UK agricultural market.
• NRM Laboratories: UK-based soil and agricultural testing laboratory (part of Cawood Scientific) offering routine soil nutrient analysis, nematode testing, and broader agronomy diagnostics. Directly comparable to Richard Austin in core soil testing services and UK grower customer base.
• Lancrop Laboratories: UK agricultural soil and crop analysis laboratory (part of Eurofins Agro Testing) providing soil nutrient, plant tissue, and broader agronomy testing to UK growers. Directly competes with Richard Austin in soil and crop analysis for the same UK farm customer base.
• Hill Court Farm Research: UK-based agricultural research and analytical services company providing soil, plant, and water testing alongside on-farm research for UK growers. Direct peer in specialized UK agricultural testing with overlapping customer base in potato and arable sectors.

Broad incumbents

• Fera Science: UK-based food, agricultural, and environmental science organization (formerly part of DEFRA) providing plant health diagnostics including nematode identification. Broader incumbent with nematology capabilities overlapping Richard Austin's PCN/BCN speciation, though operating at much larger institutional scale.
• ADAS UK: UK agricultural and environmental consultancy with in-house soil and crop analysis capabilities, serving arable farmers with research and advisory services. Broader incumbent operating across agronomy consulting, with overlapping soil testing offering tied to larger advisory engagements.
• Eurofins Agro Testing UK: UK arm of global Eurofins Agro Testing network, offering broad soil, crop, compost, manure, and water testing at scale across multiple geographies. Broader incumbent with overlapping capabilities but significantly larger portfolio and international footprint than Richard Austin.
• ALS Global (Agricultural & Food Testing): Global testing services group with UK agricultural and environmental testing operations covering soil, plant tissue, water, and nematode analysis. Broad incumbent offering overlapping soil testing services as part of a much wider testing portfolio.
• SGS UK Agricultural Services: UK operations of global SGS inspection, verification, and testing group, providing soil, crop, and agronomy testing alongside broader agricultural services. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities but serving a much wider industry portfolio than Richard Austin's nematode-focused niche.

Regional players

• SRUC (Scotland's Rural College) Analytical Services: Scotland-based agricultural research and education institution offering soil, plant, and crop analytical services primarily to Scottish and northern UK growers. Regional player with comparable soil testing capabilities but focused on a distinct geography relative to Richard Austin's Lincolnshire-centered UK footprint.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/raalabs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/richard-austin-agriculture-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Richard Austin Agriculture