New OSR contract delivers £22,500 benefit for Essex farmer
An Essex farming business which is participating in a new oilseed rape marketing contract developed by the AtlasFram Group farmers’ cooperative and marketing partner ADM Direct, a leading supplier of rape oil, estimates that it will increase income from the 510-hectares of OSR it produced in 2012 by £22,500.
E. W. Davies Farms Ltd, which produces 1280 hectares of arable crops at Thaxted and Waltham Abbey, says the additional return that the contract delivers over and above normal quality premiums provides a significant bonus which will continue for the duration of the five-year contract.
Available for standard double-zero oilseed rape crops produced on farms which are certified by Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF), a leading organisation promoting sustainable food and farming, the contract was developed following a request from one of ADM Direct’s large customers which was looking to source rapeseed oil from sustainable sources. Having identified that the standard ‘Red Tractor’ label did not provide all the assurances needed to meet this objective, the customer agreed to accept products produced on LEAF-certified farms operating under the LEAF Marque scheme.
One of many AtlasFram Members who signed up to the new arrangement, Andrew Davies states:
“We were already marketing over 1500 tonnes of oilseed rape each year through AtlasFram when they offered us the new contract. The significant premium provided a strong financial incentive to sign up and will provide a very valuable addition to profitability, as well as further demonstrating our environmental commitment and credentials.”
Stuart Carpenter, Head of Procurement ADM Direct, states:
“We are delighted with the take-up for the new contract, which is proving very popular. We are currently contracting out the tonnage needed to meet our customer’s increased requirements for 2013. This will mean producing a significantly greater area of oilseed rape that meets the contract specification and provide further opportunities for more growers to become involved in this exciting project. We expect strong interest.”
Further media information from:
Julian Cooksley, Kendalls Communications
T: 01394 610022 E: julian.cooksley@kendallscom.co.uk
Digital images are available from:
Kerry-Anne Rookyard, Kendalls Communications
T: 01394 610022 E: kerrry-anne.rookyard@kendallscom.co.uk
ATLASFRAM GROUP
AtlasFram Group is a highly-successful farmer-owned cooperative with an annual turnover of £168 million. Based at Framlingham in Suffolk, it purchases all types of farm inputs and markets combinable crops on behalf of its 1250 Members, who collectively farm more than 300,000 hectares throughout the UK. The Group attracts professional arable and livestock farmers who recognise the value of belonging to a large, expertly-managed input purchasing and crop marketing business operated entirely on their behalf.
In addition to financial savings on a wide range of inputs, from fuel, fertiliser and ag-chem to workshop equipment, tyres, electricity, building materials, feed, animal health products and mobile ‘phones, AtlasFram Members benefit from access to a team of product specialists. Working solely in the best interests of Members, they provide expert advice on a wide range of farming-related issues, advise when to place orders to obtain the best discounts and ensure that products are delivered on time, to the right location. Members receive just one monthly invoice that shows all purchases, which further reduces the time and cost of administration.
Further details are available at www.atlasfram.co.uk
