Picture: Geoff Williamson
Mole Valley Farmers is making a substantial strategic investment in its Risdon Feed Mill near Okehampton in Devon.
The site, which previously focused on the production of compound feeds for customers in the west of Mole Valley Farmers' trading area, will become a tri-purpose plant, producing molassed coarse mixes and blends in bulk/tote bags, together with meals for bulk delivery. The facility, which will provide customers with accurately mixed blends/meals that have the reassurance of full traceability, will also be able to produce custom mixes and special products, incorporating speciality ingredients, to meet individual requirements. It will also allow new products to be developed more easily.
Mole Valley Farmers' Geoff Williamson, Agri Sales & Marketing, says the acquisition of Southern Valley Feeds in February 2005 has enabled the company to redefine its commercial footprint in the South West. The decision to refocus its operations at Risdon Mill reflects the changing structure of the agricultural industry, where declining prices have resulted in the concentration of a reduced number of higher-yielding cows in fewer, but larger, herds.
James Trebble, Feeds & Distribution Manager, commented: "During the 1980s Mole Valley Farmers was ahead of its time in pioneering the manufacture and use of blends in the South West through its manufacturing facility at North Tawton. The ongoing and noticeable change in feeding systems, particularly on larger farms that are tending to move away from compounds and straights to blends and meals, will reduce compound sales, while the market for blends will continue to increase rapidly. This investment re-establishes MVF blends in the heart of an area with one of the highest ruminant livestock densities in the UK.
"One of the unique benefits of redeveloping Risdon Mill is that we will retain the core structure of the plant and utilise existing bin storage facilities. This will enable us to produce meals for use in mixer wagons, simple blends for mixer wagons and bins, together with high-quality molassed coarse blends. Being close to the A30 trunk route, Risdon Mill is ideally located for local farm collections and wider distribution, enabling us to provide Mole Valley Farmers customers and Southern Valley Feeds clients with cost-effective nutritional solutions.
"Our blended meal products will eliminate all of the traditional physical variations of coarse blends, will be 100 per cent homogeneous, will not separate and will lend themselves to the addition of minerals and micro-nutrients through a fully process-controlled plant, offering full traceability. They will also benefit our customers by saving on-farm storage and labour, ensuring accurate mixing and improving their cash-flow."
Geoff Williamson, added: "Mole Valley Farmers, incorporating Southern Valley Feeds, is the UK's largest farmer-owned feed, requisites and supply business with a highly focused, fully integrated feed solutions operation giving us the ability to cater for all ruminant feed requirements. Mole Valley Farmers' continuing investment in the industry reinforces our strong commitment and determination to support livestock producers for the long-term and we remain determined to meet the ever-changing needs of our farming customers.
"When it comes on stream in September, the upgraded Risdon Mill will represent the next generation of blending plants and enable customers to enjoy the same high standards of quality and traceability provided by our compound feeds. The site will also provide optimum coverage in the core livestock area, from the West of Dorset and Somerset to Devon and Cornwall. Production at Risdon Mill will be complimented by our other mills, enabling us to achieve full geographic coverage across our trading area whilst maximising distribution efficiency."
All compound production at Risdon will be transferred to Mole Valley Farmers' mills at other locations, whilst their manufacture of blends will transfer to Risdon.
