From variety selection to drilling, spraying, harvest and storage, there is a lot of hard graft which goes into producing a crop, but it is only the beginning. Considering the current state of grain markets, and making sure that maximum value is paid for the end product is a vital step in reaping the rewards of arable production.
Many growers may choose to tackle their grain marketing alone but choosing the right partner to help trade your grain for you can provide some consistency and mitigate risks in years when selling becomes difficult.
There are also big benefits to be had from access to specialised storage and cleaning facilities. Most feed crops can be kept on the farm but OSR, milling wheat and malting barley need looking after, and central storage with the capabilities to dry and blend can help to transform average crops into real premium stocks.
Discussions with your merchant should start months before the combine comes out of the shed. Perception of risk is key in the grain game. Whether you are looking for a pool or a tracker, growers need to consider the needs of the business first and foremost. Is cash flow demanding quick payment, can you afford to wait for higher prices, do you want to take a gamble on where the market is heading?
Here South East Farmer takes a look at the region’s key grain merchants to help readers get the best rewards from their harvest.
| Name | Head Office | Storage Facilities | Port Access | Haulage | Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bartholomews | Chichester PO19 7TT 01243 784171 |
Golden Cross, BN27 3RP Shoreham, BN41 1WF Shoreham, BN41 1WF |
Southampton, SO15 1HJ | Via Churchill Freight Services | • Bartholomews standard terms • Buy back contracts Ex-farm pools • Harvest storage contracts |
| Bodle Brothers | Burgess Hill RH15 8RE 01444 232131 |
No | No | TASSC approved haulage | • Bespoke personal service • Buy back contracts Fertiliser including complex compounds and bespoke blends • Free market traders • Fully insured grain • Seed • Spot and forward purchases • TASSC approved laboratory |
| Dengie Crops | Asheldham, CM0 7JF 01621 773883 |
Asheldham, CM0 7JF | Harwich, CO12 4SR Ipswich, IP4 1BY Tilbury,RM18 7EH |
Yes | • Buy backs peas, linseed, rye • Direct and pool marketing • Naked and conventional oats • Peas and beans for human consumption • Sales insured via COFACE • TASSC approved laboratory |
| Fengrain | Womenswold CT4 6HD 01227 831 352 |
Badlesmere, ME13 0NY Brookland, TN29 9QS Swingfield, CT15 7HG |
Dover, CT16 1JA Rye Harbour, TN31 7TX Sheerness, ME12 1RS |
No | • Direct and spot marketing • Fenpro forward contracts • Pools • Storage pools for malting barley |
| Glencore Agriculture UK | Thame OX9 3AL 01844 261261 |
Sheerness, ME12 1RS | Sheerness, ME12 1RS | No | • Funds • Pools • Pre-payment storage • World market intelligence |
| Gleadell | Warminster BA12 0PG 01985 851600 |
No | Dover, CT16 1JA Poole, BH15 4AF Southampton, SO14 3GG |
No | • Buy back contracts • Fertiliser • Pools • Seed • Spot marketing • Trackers |
| GH Grain / Frontier | Wingham CT3 1LS 01227 723800 |
Andover, SP10 3NT Southampton, SO14 3GG Tilbury, RM18 7EH Wingham,CT3 1LS |
Dover, CT16 1JA Rye Harbour, TN31 7TX Southampton, SO14 3GG Tilbury, RM18 7EH |
Yes | • Fertiliser • Full portfolio of risk marketing tools • Harvest storage & delivered contracts • MyFarm online portal • Pre-payments and flexible payment terms • Seed |
| Hampshire Grain | Winchester SO21 3AN 01962 774420 |
Winchester, SO21 3AN | See Openfield | Yes | • Via Openfield |
| Openfield | Andover SP11 7RG 01264 356666 |
Weald Granary Hampshire Grain |
Ridham Dock, ME9 8SR Rochester, ME2 4EX Sheerness, ME12 1RS |
Yes | • CMG consensus marketing • Direct to end users • Pools • Spot marketing • Trackers |
| Robin Appel | Bishops Waltham SO32 2LN 01489 896388 |
Warminster, BA12 0PY Hampshire Grain Basingstoke |
Poole, BH15 4AF Southampton, SO14 3GG |
Yes | • Buy back contracts • Direct and spot marketing • Direct to end users • Full credit insurance • Organics markets • Seed • TASSC approved laboratory |
| T Denne and Sons | Mersham TN25 6NU 01233 720871 |
Bitling, TN25 4HB Mersham, TN25 6NU |
Felixstowe, IP11 3SY Sheerness, ME12 1RS Tilbury, RM18 7EH |
Yes | • Via Harlow Agricultural Merchants • Seed |
| T Denne and Sons | Mersham TN25 6NU 01233 720871 |
Bitling, TN25 4HB Mersham, TN25 6NU |
Felixstowe, IP11 3SY Sheerness, ME12 1RS Tilbury, RM18 7EH |
Yes | • Via Harlow Agricultural Merchants • Seed |
| Weald Granary | Mereworth ME18 5PZ 01622 814458 |
Mereworth, ME18 5PZ | See Openfield | Yes | • Via Openfield |
