For over 20 years now, a group of Grainco growers based across Scotland and the North of England have been producing Milling Oats on a forward contract basis for Quaker.

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The OatCo Group was set up by Ed Rust and one of our farmer directors, John Hutcheson, in 2002 and has subsequently grown to become the single largest supplier of Milling Oats into Quaker.

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OatCo is there to represent the interests of growers when discussing and agreeing contract terms with Quaker.

 

It is important that each supplier gets the benefit of collective marketing through a supply contract that not only produces a good return for the farmer, but which is also fair to the customer, and delivers benefits to their business.

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• From the grower’s perspective, supplying a company with a strong must-have brand

  • we can uplift the sale price of our oats, because we are not just viewed as a commodity

  • and we (OatCo) share the values that the Quaker brand has.

• In return, suppliers have to be committed to long term Milling Oat production

  • and be capable of producing oats to the high quality specification.

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Membership Benefits

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• Favourable contracts, above the open market, that reward farmers for commitment, quality and loyalty.

• On-farm sampling gives a clear picture of quality before Milling Oat arrives at the Mill,

  • allowing Quaker to better manage their intake to accommodate the group where possible.

• Over the last 20 years we have been able to significantly reduce the number of rejections as a result.

• Growers receive the monthly intake results for the whole group

  • as well as access to shared agronomy and best practice.

• Direct communication with Quaker through an annual producer group meeting and mill tour.

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