Speaking at this week's UK Grain event, our chief crops adviser, Guy Gagen, made the case for an electronic information exchange that would benefit farmers and processors alike by providing timely feedback on the weight and quality of loads being delivered to stores, mills, maltings and crushers.
Mr Gagin outlined how the idea could reduce the complexity of the current system, limit the room for errors on grain passports and save the industry millions by allowing farmers to make prompt decisions about the content of following loads being supplied out of stores.
Click here for a full explanation of the system, which would operate online and via text, fax or email.
- Let us know what your think using the feedback from below.
- Richard Whitlock - 10/11/2011
Some merchants/co ops already offer this service, the problem is that there is not a universal platfrom to return data electronically and some intakes defend their position by saying there is a cost attached with no benefit to the receiver. My personal view is that we've got the technology we've not got to obtain the all-industry buy-in. The cost is insignificant in reality, the fear is that growers will see the intake quality and identify that the previous loads were much better than the contract specification and will demand cancellation of a claim for a below specification delivery. Some sites are already allowing averaging of quality standards and this could be negotiated before the sale, maybe with a headline price reduction though. Farmers are in the weakest negotiating position when the load is at the intake site, the best thing that instant electronic data feedback will provide is an advanced warning of quality that is drifting towards being below the contract specification. If the grower sees this he can check the store and maybe adjust the loading to avoid a claim or worse still rejection. A good deal for growers and a good deal for intakes then - no reason to adopt this technology then, other than intransigence. Keep pushing NFU.
- Andrew Barr - 10/11/2011
I am a director at Weald Granary storage and marketing co-operative in Kent. We have been developing, in conjunction with other partners, just such a system and it was running during 2011 harvest for deliveries into the central store. Its a fantastic idea!
- Chris Green - 10/11/2011
I am fully supportive of this initative especially when the enabling technolgy is increasingly being adopted by all.