2023 NEWSLETTER
2023: A year of unwavering commitment
As we bid farewell to a year that has been both challenging and transformative, we find ourselves reflecting on the resili-
ence and strength that defines our customers journey through 2023. After navigating a prolonged harvest season, we were
immediately faced with the whims of an unpredictable autumn. The skies unleashed torrents, bringing over 150% of the
1991 - 2020 long - term average rainfall. In a similar vein, with some areas witnessing their 9th wettest autumn since records
commenced in 1836.
As our community of growers and farmers confronted these challenges, they represented a truth that resonates deeply
within the heart of Agriculture: "Resilience is built not just on optimism but on the discipline of hard work and commit-
ment to a goal." – Anonymous. A quote that captures the spirit that drives us forward, highlighting that strength lies not
only in hope but in the unwavering dedication and tireless effort we pour into our work.
Let us take a moment to honour the lessons of 2023, recognising the hardships we've overcome, and the successes
achieved. Our path is one of perpetual stewardship, a journey that extends beyond the here and now, laying a foundation
for a future as the soil we tend. Together, we stand committed to our goal, cultivating a legacy of resilience and prosperity
for generations to come.
Agriculture ’ s link within a sustainable food industry.
Pioneering Partnership
In July, we launched a world first initiative with a tripartite partnership with Marks and Spencer and Fertiberia, introducing Impact
Zero, an innovative hydrogen - produced fertilizer. This first to market green fertiliser also incorporates nitrification inhibitors en-
hancing soil nitrogen retention, boosting grass yields. Significantly it advances Marks and Spencer ’ s goal to decarbonise their milk
supply by significantly cutting CO2e emissions and optimizing nitrogen - use efficiency.
Our extensive 2023 fertiliser trials with over 1500 plots demonstrated that we have a portfolio of high value crop nutrition options
to support both low carbon cereal production and increased cost efficiencies, we are looking forward to sharing the findings further
with you in the New Year.
Expansion in the Southwest October saw the expansion of our operations with the opening of our new distribution centre and offic-
es in Sparkford, Somerset, allowing us to better serve our farmers/growers, enhancing our capability to distribute innovative agricul-
tural solutions across the Southwest.
Agronomic Performance and Environmental Impact
With many of you being concerned about loss of income from BPS and a need to increase efficiencies and productivity our services
continue to extend beyond products to encompass knowledge sharing and customised solutions.
With our expanding team of agronomists across the South Coast of England, we will be growing our support in precision agricul-
ture, soil health, and sustainable practices without marginalising food production, furthering our commitment to you .
As we move into 2024, we stand at the forefront of agricultural innovation, fostering a sustainable, profitable, and environmentally
conscious future for our growers and producers.
Thank you for being a part of our 2023 journey and we look forward to supporting you in 2024.
S ue Taylor — Business Development Director
Wishing you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year
Seed: Busiest Autumn Yet!
Feed 2023
We had our
busiest autumn
Prices in 2023 continued to be turbulent, Richard and I have
campaign yet
worked away to capitalize on any slight dips in the market and con-
in our new
sidering the obstacles we have had a fairly steady year on the
plant which we
straights side. Richard also continues to run the Brewers grains and
achieved de-
although the supply is not always consistent, he always endeavours
spite the de-
to keep our regular customers supplied with grains throughout the
layed harvest
year. We also continue to do a nice trade in traditional straights,
curtailing the
minerals, liquid feeds and fats. Our own brand Layers pellets contin-
useful produc-
ues to grow steadily, look out for our new poultry bag to come early
tion time avail-
in 2024. In other exciting news we plan to launch our own com-
able and the
pound feed range in 2024, watch this space!! In October a number
onset of poor
of us from different departments had a stand at the Southwest Dairy
weather in
Show, it was a great success, and it was lovely to catch up with a
October
number of our customers there. With 2024 just around the corner
brought the campaign to a rather sudden end.
we would like to thank all our customers for their continued support
throughout the year and we look forward to supporting you going
The wet conditions experienced throughout the country has
into 2024 and beyond.
led to a huge surge in demand for spring cereal seed which
resulted in the spring cereal campaign essentially selling out
Game Feed 2023
in 36 hours, something that would usually take 4 months.
We are hoping that stable weather conditions may enable
Game feed season 2023 proved to be the first one since before
further areas of winter wheat to be established but at the
Covid to return to some sort of normality. There was still the ever -
time of writing this is starting to look unlikely, we are there-
present threat of bird flu, with Craig and our lorry drivers having to
fore continuing to produce as much spring seed as possible
be ever vigilant on their bio - security. However as the season went
to be in a position to take on more as and when the extra
on the threat did seem to lessen and the supply of birds was good.
seed becomes available.
Overall we had a good season and look forward to planning for the
As we look forward to 2024, we are carefully monitoring
2024 season. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of
changes to environmental schemes to ensure our mixes re-
our customers for their continued support and we look forward to
main current in what is a rapidly changing area.
Lavinia Jones – Feed Manager
working with you in 2024.
A keen area of interest for us is also developments in wheat
breeding, we have gained a lot from our trial programs and
have enjoyed sharing this information with our customers.
Early access to varieties like SY Cheer enables us to learn
about a variety before it makes it onto the AHDB recom-
mended list. Although many don't make the grade it makes it
all worthwhile when they do.
We look forward to seeing you at our regional open days in
2024.
Christian Maltby—Seeds Manager
Christian Maltby—Seeds Manager
Agriculture ’ s link within a sustainable food industry.
Fertiliser : New Plant
Grain : Largest grain Storage In
the South
The main highlight of the Fertiliser calendar was the intro-
duction of a new state - of - the - art blending and bagging sys-
tem showing a major investment and vastly improved facili-
This year, we reached a new pinnacle in our export journey, setting
ty for the company.
a record in annual tonnage for malting barley exports.
July 2023
The old system had served its purpose well to place Barthol-
saw us ship no fewer than four cargoes, making us the largest ship-
omews into the Fertiliser sector the way it did and allowed
per of this crop in the south. This milestone is not just a number; it's
us to gain footprint in the markets to grow the business and
a symbol of our expanding partnerships.
serve our customers with all their crop nutrition needs.
In our continuous quest for growth, the Western Grain team com-
The new facility consists of 6 state - of - the - art loading hop-
menced operations in a modern facility at Sparkford. This move not
pers which will house various raw materials required as a
only signifies growth but also represents our commitment to enhanc-
straight product or to be made up as a blend, regular or be-
ing our offerings in the region, providing our clients with unparal-
spoke.
leled service and quality.
With this new system, we can coat UREA with our inhibitor
2023 was also a year of forging new paths and expanding our reach.
BASF LIMUS as with the last unit, but this new one is much
We signed new and exciting supply agreements with four major
quicker and therefore so much more efficient for product
processers in the wheat, barley, and oat markets. These partnerships
output. Also, there is now a facility to add Micronutrients to
are more than just business transactions; they are opportunities that
our finished Fertiliser grades such as ZINC, SELENIUM, MO-
add value to our growers, fostering a thriving agricultural communi-
LYBDENUM, and others as required. The machine is also
ty.
fitted with a micro screen for taking out any foreign bodies
Embarking on a sustainable future, we began work on next -
and filtering out any dust from the incoming raw materials.
generation grower's initiatives. In partnership with a major UK retail-
The final materials are then oil - coated for ultimate quality
er, we're focusing on highly sustainable crops, a step that echoes
which also provides an anti - caking coating for longer shelf
our commitment to the environment and sustainable agriculture
life of the grades.
practices. This initiative marks our journey towards a greener future
The final improvement into the Fertiliser system is the instal-
in agriculture.
lation of the Big Bag High - Speed Line which allows us to
As we look towards 2024, our vision for innovation continues. We
increase our ability to produce grades in greater quantities
are set to enhance our grain testing capabilities, with new testing
and shorter time. This allows the business to service our
facilities at Sparkford and improved services at Chichester. Moreo-
customers much more efficiently and allows us to produce
ver, the delivery of our first sustainably produced crops to the mar-
more in peak periods and expand the business into other
ket in late 2024 will be a landmark achievement, showcasing our
markets.
commitment to sustainability.
All in all, a massive step forward for the Fertiliser Sector
with next stage evolution for the business.
As we close this year's chapter, we look forward to the opportunities
Colin Burton—Fertiliser Manager
and challenges that lie ahead. 2023 has been filled with achieve-
ments and new initiatives. We extend our gratitude to our dedicated
team, our partners, and community for their unwavering support.
Together, we will continue to set new standards in agricultural ex-
cellence, embracing growth, innovation, and sustainability.
Richard Wright—Grain Manager
Lab : Continued Efficiency Improvements
It has been another busy year in the seed and grain laboratory.
Completing over 4,300 grain harvest analysis tests, collected by our great on - farm samplers
and tested by harvest lab assistants.
It has been a bumper seed production year which has run smoothly thanks to an amazing
multi - team effort.
Alice Appleford
- Lab Manager
Alice Appleford — Lab Manager
Agriculture ’ s link within a sustainable food industry.
Agronomy : A Challenging Year
They say a lot can change in a year and it certainly feels that way this year! With the recent extremes in weather, it has challenged
us all, but the dedication throughout the season has got us over the line!
Casting our minds back to autumn 2022 conditions seemed kinder and crops established nicely in good time. Oilseed rape was the
usual roller coaster, with contrasting results across neighbouring farms, and sometimes next - door fields. Those grown with compan-
ions seemed to establish that bit quicker, but the jury is still out on their
cost over benefit when it comes to yield return. Most crops survived the
onslaught of the flea beetle and slugs, leaving us something to battle with
for the rest of the season. One pest which did seem to illude us was the
bird cherry oat/grain aphid. Although conditions turned cold in early De-
cember and for a small period in the new year, it wasn ’ t enough to hold
back the aphids in the south, with pockets of BYDV expressing itself in
crops across the spring. The value of the BYDV spray was easy to see last
year, compromising the SFI ’ s carrot - and - stick incentive.
Coming out of the winter we saw a brief dry period in February where
some progress was made on some early nitrogen and spraying applications
with some acres of cereals drilled where soils were appropriately dry
enough. If we knew then what we knew in April, a lot more would have
been drilled! But hindsight is something were all still working on and I ’ m
sure is the golden ticket in agriculture!
The less said about March and April the better! Wet, windy, and not much cop for both winter and spring plant establishment.
Roots were compromised, being pruned from saturation, or not physically growing as still in the bag waiting to be drilled! Never-
theless, the determination and dedication in the field made the most of some short and compromised conditions and got crops in
the ground, sprayed or fertilised by hook or by crook.
The spring weather patterns heightened the pressure on the wet weather season diseases such as eyespot, septoria, mildew, rhyn-
chosporium, and net blotch. All taking careful management, altering product choices and dose rates to manage each variety and
drilling date. With drilling date seeming to have the largest effect on plant resistance, really taking the pressure of the dose rate and
timing. Fortunately, conditions drilled up in May, reducing the pressure on these diseases and timings. Diseases were kept in the
bottom to the middle of the crop and things started to grow away nicely. May brought an end to the later planted forage crops and
they certainly were the pick of the crops. Maize flew away in nearly all situations, producing some lovely biomass throughout July
and august. This however was when the rains came back.
.
Harvest was a stop start process, catching windows when they appeared. Results where varied, but certainly down on the previous
year, largely due to the bushel weight. The dry June, wet July did not fill the potential some of these crops had. Maize yields were
the pick and have filled the clamps with both yield and quality, which should stand the livestock sector in good stead. Autumn for-
age and cover crops have also flown away due to this moisture which arguably hasn ’ t stopped since it started in July. Helping to
bridge the gap in some of the silage stocks across the country.
This autumn has been tricky to say the least! Early drilled wheat, barley, and oats established well, growing away from the slugs and
waterlogging, seem to have just enough root system and leaf above water to stay alive. The mid October onwards crops have strug-
gled and some of them were arguably better in the bag until conditions improved in late November. We still have time on our side
for these crops, which may well now be in the new year.
So all in, it ’ s got to dry up soon, and if you want the rainbow with a pot of gold under it, you ’ ve got to put up with the rain …
Richard Harris
- Agronomist
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