Why do you deal with your Grain Merchant?

[teslacoils]

I like to deal with merchants that can get me 12 lorries in a day. Not ones who do one a day for a fortnight.

Ha. My default reaction to "can we come for eight loads - one 6:30 every day except Friday, for the next two weeks" is "f**k off". Who needs that hassle? A "certain mill" seems unable to take more than so much per day from one farm - probably due to its pee- poor record for rejections and it's own faulty tip equipment.

 

[ollie989898]

Deal with people you know, people you like and people who operate in a way that fits in with the way you do business.

Long term, like most of things I guess there will be fewer and fewer grain merchants and their people about.

Nothing stopping a farmer organising his own haulage mind.

 

[Brisel]

Ha. My default reaction to "can we come for eight loads - one 6:30 every day except Friday, for the next two weeks" is "fudge off". Who needs that hassle? A "certain mill" seems unable to take more than so much per day from one farm - probably due to its pee- poor record for rejections and it's own faulty tip equipment.

Those mills are spreading their risk. 12 loads on wheels in the yard from the same farmer when the first 2 get rejected will make them squeak. They would rather have 12 loads from 12 different farmers. If you want a lot gone on one day sell for export where they will blend away any crap.

 

[DRC]

I like to deal with merchants that can get me 12 lorries in a day. Not ones who do one a day for a fortnight.

That would just about clear me out

 

[teslacoils]

Those mills are spreading their risk. 12 loads on wheels in the yard from the same farmer when the first 2 get rejected will make them squeak. They would rather have 12 loads from 12 different farmers. If you want a lot gone on one day sell for export where they will blend away any crap.

We reduce our risk by not selling to them. If you have a lorry due at 8:30 after tipping "there" you can reliably write at least the morning off for some issue there. My wheat goes much further, and for £1 less, to avoid the huge haulage hassle they cause themselves.

 

[DRC]

Wheat generally goes to local independent merchant who deals with the local feed mills we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep. Feed wheat will often be the same price locally that some are chasing for biscuit wheat , with haulage considerations.
Barley mostly goes farmer to farmer .

 

[Farmer-George]

I only deal with people I’ve met. Normally build a bit of an idea what they are like on the phone before inviting them for a brew.

Amazing how many you offer hospitality too that don’t call in!

Thereafter, if they pass that test, the company is financially secure, have been offering competitive prices I’ll give them a go normally 4 or 5 loads so they have a fair crack at it.

Not had a cold call from a grain rep in 4 years!! Only deal with 3, and my preferred gets 80% of my business.

My rep keeps me updated with good information, actually understands farming and the challenges we all face. I shift a good portion of crop off the combine. I get good movement and excellent communication from their execution/transport team and they use my preferred haulier every time.

Above all else they need to have good paperwork and be able to deal with any problem loads efficiently.