Warburtons Contract

[Brisel]

Is Hereward still grown and what problems does it have?

Poor yield and a tendency to drop Hagberg with any kind of moisture once ripe. Centaur just insisted that we send them a sample of home saved seed for electrophoresis varietal purity testing.

I used to grow it for Centaur then Openfield. A nice earner before Openfield insisted we buy certified seed from their newly acquired Honey Pot Lane seed plant. Warburtons used to come back to the negotiating table if the wheat markets went up to make sure growers still got a decent premium (before putting 75%+ Canadian number 1 red wheat in the grist).

 

[snarling bee]

Warburtons now have a complete disrespect for growers, and a jumped up opinion of themselves, something that they have probably learnt from Frontier.
I have successfully grown for them for many years and have had no recognition of that fact at all, no loyalty or thanks. Stuff em.
You would have thought when Frontier took over the contract that the first thing they would do is contact all the existing growers. Did they f**k.

 

[ollie989898]

Warburtons now have a complete disrespect for growers, and a jumped up opinion of themselves, something that they have probably learnt from Frontier.
I have successfully grown for them for many years and have had no recognition of that fact at all, no loyalty or thanks. Stuff em.
You would have thought when Frontier took over the contract that the first thing they would do is contact all the existing growers. Did they f**k.

I don't know why farmers deal with these big companies. It's not like there is no alternative.

 

[ajd132]

I don't know why farmers deal with these big companies. It's not like there is no alternative.

you always get paid. well grain and Inglis are two recent ones who went bust.

 

[ollie989898]

you always get paid. well grain and Inglis are two recent ones who went bust.

This is one of the problems. At least if a company is backed by a larger firm, possibly even a multinational you are less concerned about this issue.

 

[ajd132]

This is one of the problems. At least if a company is backed by a larger firm, possibly even a multinational you are less concerned about this issue.

my parents lost a large chunk of their income in the 80's on their second year trading due to a dodgy merchant going bust.

 

[Flatland guy]

This is one of the problems. At least if a company is backed by a larger firm, possibly even a multinational you are less concerned about this issue.

Sometimes the reverse happens, a large 'parent' company will often instigate the receivership of a minor/ affiliated company for better long term gain.

 

[teslacoils]

You can insure against this.

 

[Brisel]

You can insure against this.

Some merchants take money off your sales to them for credit insurance. It used to be around 50p/tonne. If it's a lot more than that, I wouldn't be doing business with them because they have a bad credit rating!

 

[Steevo]

Some merchants take money off your sales to them for credit insurance. It used to be around 50p/tonne. If it's a lot more than that, I wouldn't be doing business with them because they have a bad credit rating!

One merchant I deal with is 50p…..another is 10p.

 

[Brisel]

One merchant I deal with is 50p…..another is 10p.

I'd be asking exactly what cover 10p provides. And 50p!

 

[Steevo]

I'd be asking exactly what cover 10p provides. And 50p!

Thank you for the suggestion....I will!

 

[JCfarmer]

Use to grow for Warburtons - and had to buy the new seed. Told them we drilled at 100kg/ha, home saved the rest of the seed rate - never had an issue

Yes we always grew a good crop of Crusoe at even 75kg/ha seed rate with new seed.

 

[JCfarmer]

Used to grow for Warburtons through Openfield, packed in when they went to Frontier.
Min £20, max £40 premium back then.
What is it now min £20, max £87 with frontier?

 

[ajd132]

Used to grow for Warburtons through Openfield, packed in when they went to Frontier.
Min £20, max £40 premium back then.
What is it now min £20, max £87 with frontier?

Min 25 max 45 I think

 

[JCfarmer]

Min 25 max 45 I think

You'd be a bit annoyed if you were on one last year or this year especially with the cost of fert!

 

[snarling bee]

To be fair, if you sign a contract and agree to its terms you cant moan if the market changes. It does that all the time. BUT Warburtons went from a one year deal to a 3 yr one which makes a difference.

 

[Pat Micok]

What baffles me is £25 to £50 min max frontier are offering on a variety we have never herd of loxton or something when current premiums are £85 to £90. Everyone needs to sit tight whilst they up there offer to doudle what it is currently