If there was a world-record for the number of crop inspections carried out by one person it would be awarded to David Muncey, who retires this week after a 45-year long career at NIAB.
In the past 21 years records show that David has inspected 2,182 crops, but he believes he’s clocked up 50 a year since he began inspecting in 1976, so add at least another 700 to the original figure.
A member of the Agricultural Crop Characterisation team David began his career at NIAB in 1963, taking a 3-year break to complete his degree. He has worked in pathology and chemistry, and then moved to the herbage seed production branch initially as an Assistant Scientific Officer.
He then went on to work in cereals certification and is now one of the most knowledgeable people in this area of work, so will be missed by his colleagues and the members of the seed trade. Enjoy your retirement David!
