Newsletter2023

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.

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