2016-01-08 |
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Farmer Co-Operative and Agronomy Specialists form Partnership
Aspatria Farmers has cemented a partnership with one of the UK’s leading agronomy companies Agrovista to give further benefits to its farming members and customers across the region.
The Cumbria-based farmer-owned co-operative in Aspatria, with branches in Appleby, Wigton and Longtown, has been working with Agrovista, one of the leading suppliers of crop protection products and precision farming services across the UK, for a number of years.
Left to right, Aspatria Farmers’ Mark Elcoate, Stair Brown, Stephen Hemingway, and Agroivista's Simon Nelson and Steven Gate.
The partnership means that Agrovista now supplies all the products to Aspatria Farmers, backed up with technology from the company which has been established for more than 60 years.
Agrovista’s northern agronomists based in Cumbria - Steven Gate and Simon Nelson - work closely with the team at Aspatria Farmers - Arable Manager Stephen Hemingway in Aspatria, Agronomist Stair Brown in Dumfries and Galloway and north Cumbria and Agronomy Manager Mark Elcoate who has recently been recruited to cover the Cumbria and the North East of England.
“As a non-profit making agricultural co-operative, this collaboration is very much in the interest of our farmer members in delivering a specialist agronomy service, backed by ongoing technological developments and training that a company like Agrovista can give,” said Aspatria Farmers’ Arable Manager Stephen Hemingway.
“Both companies’ priorities are to advise producers on the most cost-effective use of seeds and agrochemicals to help them maintain profitability in challenging times. There is also the added benefit of any profits we make from sales will be paid back to our members,” he added.
“It provides an holistic package to our members whether dairy, beef, sheep or arable producers, as we can provide all inputs from feed and fertiliser as well as agronomy support. Aspatria Farmers provides a service to farmers from the field through to feeding the animal.
“As a farmer owned business, it is our aim to make sure our farmer members stay in business and that they can make as much profit for themselves so we don’t sell products which are not required and we try and source all the inputs at the lowest possible cost.
Aspatria Farmers’ team of qualified agronomists work together with Steven and Simon, who also have their own customers, to offer a comprehensive and cost-effective service using the latest information and technology.
“We have our own customers in the region but we have established a very good relationship with the agronomy team at Aspatria Farmers,” said Steven Gate.
“Between us, we have many years of experience and we know the majority of farmers throughout the North of England and South West Scotland,” he added.
The service covers Cumbria, County Durham, Northumberland, and Dumfries and Galloway to meet the needs of farmers which are quite varied from grassland and cereals to oil seed rape and potatoes.
To help with service in the busy times our products will be available from all Aspatria Farmers’ outlets - Aspatria, Wigton, Appleby and Longtown, offering the most comprehensive service in the area.
