We were delighted to be able to offer a Trade Awareness Course that aimed to provide an insight into feed manufacture from import and storage of raw bulk materials, through various processing procedures to the end products.
The sites visited were in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire and feedback from delegates was very encouraging, although the travelling involved proved to be not ideal. We have taken this on board and will endeavour to lessen the distances next time although this is dependant on which companies we are able to secure visits to.
Unusually for our trade awareness courses, the delegates were nearly all relative newcomers to the industry and their feedback was very encouraging. All commented that the course was very informative and would prove beneficial in their working environment.
The first day saw delegates meeting for refreshments and introductions at the Bentley Hotel on the outskirts of Lincoln before travelling by minibus to the Grimsby area. The first visit of the day was to Pelagia UK’s fish processing site which provides fishmeal, marine oil and protein concentrates for various food and feed applications. Following lunch, the group travelled to Immingham Docks – site of some of the largest agribulk handling facilities in the UK - to see how grain is initially stored and transported. The day ended with delegates meeting for an evening meal at the hotel.
On the second day the group first visited Bilsthorpe Mill which is owned by Noble Foods. This mill supplies processed feeds for poultry, pig and ruminants as well as straight raw materials. After a lunch stop at a local farm shop the group visited the second site of the day, Fold Hill Foods who are pet food manufacturers with both oven baking and extrusion production capabilities.
Lead chaperone Toby Parker and the rest of the Executive Committee would like to thank everyone who attended the course, and especially all the companies that continue to support us by either sending delegates or allowing us the opportunity to visit their premises. We greatly appreciate the warm welcome host companies extended to the delegates along with the informative tours and presentations which take up a lot of valuable time and resources.
