Contractors in south west Wales who specialise in grain crimping are preparing for what is likely to be their busiest season ever.

With a record acreage of both winter and spring cereals in the ground in Pembrokeshire, Cardiganshire and Carmarthen-shire, livestock farmers are aiming to buffer themselves against anticipated high concentrate prices by growing their own.

Richard Lewis, specialist products manager at Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers said: "Crimping and ensiling cereals at their highest nutrient value and digestibility has always made sense, that is why we have strengthened our relationship with Kelvin Cave.

"They have the knowhow and experience to give our customers all the advice needed to produce a high value farm-grown concentrate, and supply the market-leading crimped grain preservative, Crimpstore."

According to Andy Strzelecki, technical director of Kelvin Cave, all types of grain can be crimped successfully.

"We have been helping farmers get it right since 1996, and have seen a continuous increase in farmers using the system since then," he said.

"They find that the better nutritional value of well-preserved crimped grain, together with the other benefits of earlier harvest, higher grain yield, better straw, no dust and improved livestock performance, all help to enhance the profitability of their enterprise."

Cereal plantings are up by 12-14%. Nationally, CCF seed sales are up 200%.

High output Korte crimping machines are the key to successful processing, and the area is served by four main contractors.

Paul Ratcliffe (07831 090521) covers south and mid Pembrokeshire and south Carmarthenshire. Aled Rees (07968 386039) operates in south Cardiganshire, north Pembrokeshire and south Carmarthenshire and can also offer a tube-bagging service where there is no suitable clamp on farm. Tony Sisto (01570 434276) is based near Talgarreg and covers mid and north Ceredigion and north and east Carmarthenshire, and Nigel James (07966 182991) covers west Pembrokeshire from his base near Haverfordwest.

For more information speak to Richard Lewis at CCF (07824 327550) or Andy Strzelecki, of Kelvin Cave (07977 252664).

3:08pm Monday 30th June 2008

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