
3CROP ADVISORS |
BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020
expert and independent advice and
we believe that CA is well placed
to give unbiased, well-researched
information that will ensure they are
buying a cost-effective input with a
maximumreturn.
Advice can no longer be seen to be
given by a chemical salesman; we
need to be completely transparent
in our approach. We believe that
independent agronomy linked to a
professional arable buying group is
the future. Consumers want to know
how their food is produced to ensure
that future food production works in
harmony with the environment.
Looking to the future
Ten years ago there was a large
ageing population of independent
agronomists and this was a risk to
our business. We took a conscious
decision to invest, support and spend
time in developing the next generation
of agronomists. We set up a two
year apprenticeship scheme and over
this time, the trainee spends two
days a week at CA understanding
the background to the commercial
decisions that are taken and then three
days out in the field with one of our
associated agronomists. This has been
highly successful, and we now have
four full-time agronomists working out
in the field with a positive and growing
client base.
We believe that old-fashioned
customer service is key to our
success. We are very much a people
business and talking to our members
is an important part of that. We do
recognise the diverse age range across
our client base and that we need
to be able to communicate with all
generations. Over the last 12 months
we have invested heavily in a new
bespoke computer system.
There is nothing more frustrating than
mistakes that are out of your control,
particularly when you are trying to
offer a superior service. The new
system enables us to communicate
directly with third party systems
reducing double entry of data.
Farmers will be able to view via an app
where their order is in the process of
delivery, so hanging around waiting
for commodities to be delivered will
be a thing of the past. At any point
we can analyse the farmers’ buying
patterns and trends to allow us to
concentrate on our buying power
on certain commodities therefore
ensuring the most competitive price
in the market. I wrote this article
during the unprecedented time of the
Covid-19 pandemic. This investment is
already paying dividends by enabling
us to have the flexibility to work
remotely and has enabled us to carry
on our important work for the British
farmer. There is no doubt that this
large investment has future-proofed
ourbusiness.
Pesticides are
part of the tool
box for
sustainable food
production whilst
farming in an
environmentally
sensitive manner.
It is vital any
decision making
on product
revocation
is100%
scienceled.
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Analysing various
choices of slug pellets