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Openfield, the UK’s only national farming grain co‑operative

Case study

Published
12th August 2018
Topic
What is a co-op?
Image
Openfield lorry

For 400 years the Casswell family has farmed land in Sleaford, Lincolnshire.  But without farmer-owned co-operatives the prospect of future generations continuing those farming traditions would be slim.    

James Casswell is both a tenant and contract farmer, with more than 3000 acres of land, primarily used to harvest grain. He is one of 4,000 farmer owners of Openfield, the UK’s only national farming grain co-operative.

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Margins are pretty tight. I’d see us really struggling (as a standalone farmer). Having Openfield working for me can be the difference between making a profit and making a loss. I always believed that we, the UK’s farmers, need to come together and that we’re stronger as a result of working together.
– James Casswell, farmer and member of Openfield

Openfield produces approximately four million tonnes of grain a year and supplies some of the biggest and best-known names in the British food and drink manufacturing industry.  It supplies its members with seed and fertiliser, provides grain storage, offers expert advice on marketing with complete transparency in the marketplace.

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In the past grain would change hands lots and lots of times before getting to the end user.  Having someone like Openfield maximise the working for my benefit, rather than someone angling to pay the lowest price… I can’t really see why anyone does anything else.
– James Casswell, farmer and member of Openfield

James Dallas, CEO of Openfield, added: “The reason Openfield exists is to be a marketing expert for our farmer. Farmers have numerous balls to juggle every day. For them to have expert marketing knowledge and ensure the best return is almost impossible.

“We provide expert market advice. We protect our farmers against risk and ensure they’re not exposed to the volatility of the market place. We’ll give them best possible return and keep them profitable.”

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