Member Article

Tynegrain sows seeds of success

North East farmers are set to reap the rewards of a new grain drying facility which is opening up new markets for their crops.

South Shields-based Tynegrain Ltd is a farmer owned co-operative storage, processing and marketing facility. It already has 114 members in the region and a 75,000 tonne capacity.

The co-operative has recently received funding of £135,000 from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which has allowed Tynegrain to enter into supply agreements with large branded food businesses.

The investment means that a large number of farmers in the region will reap the rewards sooner rather than later.

Adrian Sherwood, RDPE Manager at One North East, said: “The North East will benefit from further development of a large co-operative grain store to the highest standard which is ideally situated, supplying both regional and nearby Scottish processing customers as well as ongoing exporting from the Tyne.

“Increased speed and flexibility of the grain drying will reduce energy consumption and its carbon footprint while members will be provided with a more streamlined service bringing with it improved financial returns.”

Charles Beaumont, chairman of Tynegrain, said: “North East farmers will benefit from this funding as it will allow us to progress our own investment immediately and allow us to capture new markets, improve service and move forward with confidence in these difficult times for farmers in the region.

“With the changing local market dynamics it means Tynegrain is now in a position to compete as a supplier to the higher end of the domestic food market as well as its traditional feed export outlets.”

For more information on RDPE in North East England, visit www.rdpenortheast.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .