FENLAND: Fengrain boost capacity ahead of the 2008 harvest as part of expansion plans

LEADING East Anglian grain specialist Fengrain has opened 12,000 tonnes of extra grain storage capacity ahead of the 2008 harvest as part of the company s ambitious plans to support growers and secure added value. The new storage capacity, comprising th

LEADING East Anglian grain specialist Fengrain has opened 12,000 tonnes of extra grain storage capacity ahead of the 2008 harvest as part of the company's ambitious plans to support growers and secure added value.

"The new storage capacity, comprising three new silos, reflects demand for storage capacity from growers and the increasing need to segregate grain to make the most of specific market opportunities," said Fengrain's Chief Executive Mark Isaacson.

"Commissioning this new facility in time for harvest 08 will deliver immediate benefits in allowing us to improve the efficiency of our operation as well as accommodate the growing demand for centralised storage. Across the marketing season it will enable us to segregate specific qualities of grain to capture added value opportunities from grain buyers."

The new grain bins will complement the enhanced intake facilities and storage opened two years ago at the Wimblington site. They represent the latest step in Fengrain's longer term plan to increase total grain storage capacity to some 120,000 tonnes.

The new silos, which takes Fengrain's overall capacity to almost 100,000tonnes, was officially opened by HGCA Chairman Jonathan Tipples, who also farms extensively in Kent.

"Modern storage, professionally operated is critical to making the most of the opportunities in the grain market and I congratulate Fengrain on its ongoing commitment to the sector," said Mr Tipples.

The grain chain - that stretches from field to mill or maltings is under increasing pressures to satisfy assurance requirements and to monitor issues such as mycotoxins. As a result, farmers are looking to central storage operated to high professional standards to remove the burden of regulation. Also, as farm stores become outdated and inadequate for modern yields and speed of harvest, the use of central storage offers an economic alternative to on-farm investment.

* Formed in 1971, Fengrain is the largest grain merchanting and storage cooperative operating in the East of England

* The increased storage facility was installed by T.H White of Devizes.

* HGCA represents the Cereals and Oilseeds Sector of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).