Indestructible Thinking Meets Slug Control at Cereals 2026

How far can performance be pushed?

De Sangosse stand with the Hilux at Cereals 2026 Slug pellet bags displayed in the Hilux Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper viewing the Hilux Jeremy Clarkson beside the Indestructible Hilux
June 25, 2026 By Sarah Ferrie, De Sangosse

Indestructible Thinking Meets Slug Control at Cereals 2026

How far can performance be pushed?

At Cereals 2026, De Sangosse brought a bold new perspective to slug control - using one of the most iconic vehicles ever built to start a conversation about reliability under pressure.

A Legendary Hilux, Reimagined for Farming

The famous “Indestructible Hilux”, known for its extreme endurance testing on BBC’s Top Gear, took centre stage on the De Sangosse stand, with even Jeremy Clarkson and Kaleb Cooper paying a visit.

On loan from the Grampian Transport Museum, the vehicle is widely recognised as a symbol of durability - making it the perfect centrepiece for a campaign focused on consistent performance in the field.

But this wasn’t just a static display - it was a starting point.

Campaign film production with Hilux and truck Slug pellet stress test Toy Hilux beside blue slug pellets Water pressure stress test

What Happens When You Push Performance Further?

Using the Hilux as inspiration, De Sangosse asked a simple question:

What happens when product performance is pushed beyond normal conditions?

To explore this, the team created a campaign film featuring exaggerated stress tests on slug pellets, in collaboration with:

  • The Cereals Event team
  • Presenter Sandy Kirkpatrick and videographer Leon Silavent
  • Bartlow Estate, Cambridgeshire

While deliberately light-hearted, the message was clear:

True performance is about consistency under pressure.

In slug control, reliability isn’t optional - it’s essential.
– Phil Carpenter, Managing Director, De Sangosse UK.
Slug pellet application in field

Why Reliability in Slug Control Matters

“In slug control, reliability isn’t optional - it’s essential,” says Phil Carpenter, Managing Director, De Sangosse UK.

When pellet integrity is compromised:

  • Coverage becomes uneven
  • Control is inconsistent
  • Re-application risk increases

De Sangosse focuses on ensuring performance holds up across real-world conditions, including:

  • Strong pellet integrity to withstand handling and weather
  • Consistent spread up to 36m for even field coverage
  • Flexible application timing, including a unique 7-day pre-drilling approval
  • Proven effectiveness, with independent work showing control of up to 4x more slugs per m² vs competitor ferric phosphate
Visitors explore the campaign film and pellet display The Hilux on the De Sangosse stand at Cereals Slug pellet performance display on the stand

From Campaign Story to Field Reality

Visitors to Stand 1148 at Cereals were able to:

  • See the original Hilux up close
  • Watch the campaign film in action
  • Explore pellet quality and application performance firsthand

The link between engineering endurance and agronomic reliability resonated strongly - especially as farming systems demand:

  • Wider working widths
  • Faster operations
  • Greater precision with less margin for error
The Hilux in its agricultural working days

A Return to Agricultural Roots

Adding a personal touch to the stand, Tim Edwards, the Hilux’s original owner, visited - bringing the story full circle.

Tim farms at TM & VE Edwards Partnership in Barking Tye, Suffolk, where he runs a 200-acre arable enterprise alongside diversified income from a DIY livery and an angling club.

Before achieving global recognition, the Hilux was a working farm pickup throughout the 1990s. Tim later sold it in 2003 for £1,000 after advertising it in Autotrader - unaware of the journey it was about to take.

“Out of the blue, I got a call from the BBC saying they were doing a feature on the Toyota Hilux and wanted to buy it,” Tim explains.

“Four months later, I was invited to Top Gear studios to see it again after all the testing. They drove it out onto the stage - I even got a signed photo.”

Seeing the vehicle again at Cereals was a powerful moment.

“It’s very strange - and quite emotional - seeing the Hilux all these years later.”

Today, Tim continues to farm in Suffolk and uses De Sangosse Ferric Phosphate slug pellets to manage slug pressure, recognising that reliability and pellet performance are critical when it comes to slug control that goes the distance.

Watch the Campaign

See how the “Indestructible” idea was brought to life:

Note: Demonstrations in the film use non-active pellets for illustrative purposes.

Dare to be Different article

To discover more on the campaign and lead up to Cereals, visit our Dare to be Different article.

Visit the Article →
phosphate-guide Visit the Hub

Find Out More

  • Explore the benefits of De Sangosse Ferric Phosphate at our Ferric Focus Hub, where you can also download a copy of our Slug Control Guide.
  • Enjoyed our Dare to be Different campaign video?
    You can also watch our “Didn’t Make the Cut” videos, featuring members of the De Sangosse team and more moments from the Indestructible Hilux vs Slug Pellets campaign.
Visit the Ferric Focus Hub

Watch the videos and explore more here

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