Cornwall Farmers Launch Cost-saving Feed Initiative at the Royal Cornwall Show

Thursday 29th May 2008

This year's Royal Cornwall Show will see the latest staging of Cornwall Farmers' annual money-saving, Feed Commitment Scheme. As in previous years at the Show, members of the Cornwall Farmers co-operative will be invited under the Scheme to commit to purchase bulk quantities of feed at a special low price. In 2007 / 2008, the Feed Commitments Scheme saved farmers a total of over £960,000.

"By taking the total memberships commitment to our national and international suppliers en masse we are able to secure the very best prices and as a true co-operative, pass the benefits of group buying directly back to our members and customers," says Tom Mann, Cornwall Farmers' Blends Manager. "The final price is fixed in August after all customer commitments are taken and supplier negotiations completed."

The Scheme provides an opportunity for members of Cornwall Farmers to benefit from making their winter feed purchase during the summer; they are then given a two-week cooling off period in August to agree to the purchase price before contracts are signed.

"This is a perfect example of how to make the co-operative work for all parties," says Mr Mann. "During 2006 / 2007 the feed market was relatively stable and savings totalled circa £400,000, with feed prices being as volatile as they have been recently the savings have doubled! We hope to see a record number of members asking about the Scheme on our stand at the Royal Cornwall Show this year."

All the feed involved comes from Cornwall Farmers' Duchy Blends Mill in Truro, which produces a wide range of blended feed stuffs for all ruminant animals. The Duchy Blends Mill is a well-known landmark to thousands of rail travellers who travel each year via the adjacent Truro station. It is one of many facilities managed by Cornwall Farmers, which is now one of the largest and most successful agricultural co-operatives in the United Kingdom. The organisation employs 350 staff and supplies goods and materials worth over £70m in four main business sectors which combine the farming and food industries with the outdoor life of the West Country's rural communities.