Your quick guide

farmers cooperating

To Saving Time & Saving Money

Simon Watchorn, Earsham

Park Farm, Norfolk

“Joining AtlasFram has simplified

my business as well as enabling

me to benefit from the Group’s

buying power when purchasing

feed, diesel, electricity, telephones,

steel and building materials. I

bought chemicals effectively before

but it was very time consuming.

With AtlasFram doing this it frees

me to concentrate on the bits that

make the world go around - I can

focus on the pigs and getting

production right.”

All orders in these product areas should be via the office.

Chemicals

As a group we recommend the importance of splitting your agronomy service

away from the supply of chemicals. Initially we advise you to call this department

to discuss how the system works for your particular circumstances. The group

is happy to receive the orders either by the member’s agronomist or the member.

Orders can be telephoned through or via email: purchasing@atlasfram.co.uk or

via our website: www.atlasfram.co.uk.

Early order forms

Forms are sent out for supply of Cereal and Oilseed rape products in spring and

in the autumn. The chemicals are selected specifically where there are likely

shortages. Also if distributors are able to deliver stock pre-season it reduces

their cost which reflects on the early season price. Some of the early season

products will also have deferred payment options.

Fertiliser

Members are encouraged to fill in the annual requirement form which allows

the team to plan well ahead and ensure suppliers are able to give the most

competitive price. It also helps the fertiliser buyers keep you informed of changes

in the market. We have rebate terms in place with a number of our key suppliers

which are confidential but add to a competitive price on the day.

Seed

All seed can be sourced including vegetable, potato, cereal, oilseeds, maize,

grass and game cover. An early requirement form goes out on new varieties to

ensure supply. There are also requirement forms on ‘Home saved’ seed and

autumn and spring seed.

Crop Inputs - 01728 727712 /15 /17

Products include Gasoil, DERV, Heating Oil & Gas. We recommend that orders

are placed through the office. If you are able to give 3 to 5 working days notice

this gives us more flexibility in the timing of the purchase. Therefore if the

market is falling we can hold your order to take advantage of any decreases. If

a delivery is required more urgently just let us know and we can arrange a more

prompt service.

Fuel - 01728 727714

Livestock - 01728 727716

Compound feeds and straights

A straights report is available by email and updated every 2 or 3 weeks

depending on any changes in the market. If the livestock department are aware

of your requirements, they will be able to keep you informed of market changes

and agree the optimum time to buy. Call the livestock department on all areas

of feed including minerals, fats, feed blocks etc.

Veterinary

There are considerable savings to be made on veterinary products. We

recommend negotiating a ‘service’ only charge with your vets which leaves you

free to buy your medications through the group. We hold an account with

Farmacy. Call the livestock department who will set up a separate member code

for you. You can then go online on the Farmacy website www.farmacy.co.uk and

order as normal, then go to ‘pay on account’ and follow the instructions.

Payment terms are 7 days. You will receive an interim invoice from AtlasFram

and payment will be taken by DD.

National milk recording

In order to take advantage of the discount ask NMR to bill your account through

AtlasFram.

Ear tags

Large group discount on Shearwell, Dalton, Fearing, Ketchum, and Cox Agri. In

all cases check with the livestock department first to insure you follow the correct

procedure.

Maize seed

Group terms on most varieties, check with the seed department on 01728

727717 for terms. In case of Pioneer maize, simply order from your usual

supplier but make sure it is invoiced through group. At the end of the season we

can claim a substantial rebate on your behalf.

There is the option of a forward buying service which covers the harvest period.

This involves a firm commitment before harvest so that we can purchase a

volume on your behalf at a fixed price.

Orders can be placed by email, website, fax or by calling the office.

Machinery & Vehicles - 01728 727719

Agricultural Machinery PurchaseCase IH

- Scheme runs annually from 1st December to 30th November each year.

- Terms are volume related and are in addition to any discount that you

negotiate with your supplying dealer.

- Rebate returned to Members each year in March in full.

Amazone

- Additional discount on any Amazone machine

- Discount is deducted from invoice after dealer discount but before trade in.

- Invoice or finance agreement copy needs to be sent to Jon Fovargue as

proof of purchase.

Merlo

- £500 voucher returned to any member against a purchase of a Merlo tele

scopic handler. Voucher can be used to purchase Merlo parts.

- Invoice or finance agreement copy needs to be sent to Jon Fovargue as

proof of purchase.

Vehicle PurchaseAdditional manufacturers discounts are available on 4x4 vehicles from Ford,

Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu and Land Rover.

Dairy chemicals

Group terms on a 6 month bulk delivery. Payment can be spread if required.

Semen / Breeding supplies

Discount terms set up with Genus, Semex, Alta Genetics, Cogent and Worldwide

Sires.

Wormers & fly products

R-SQP qualified member of staff can offer an independent, unbiased

recommendation of appropriate POM-VPS, NFA-VPS and AVM-GSL medicines

for farm animals, equine and dogs & cats. Call Emilie or email:

emilie.wix@atlasfram.co.uk.

Fleet discounts are available on most makes of vehicle including Ford, Fiat,

Honda, Lexus, Mercedes, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Vauxhall.

All vehicles must be ordered through the office to claim discount.

Other Machinery TermsTyres

- Trelleborg, Treadfirst, Goodyear, Firestone

- ATS - 20% off all car and van tyres

- Fleet terms available with most tractor tyre manufacturers

Finance

- We have an agreement in place with Tyson Cooper Finance which to date

has proved to be very competitive for our Members

Tractor Hire

- We have competitive terms with Frank Rowland of Clitheroe - 01254 826295

- Hawk Hire - 08703 930000

Spaldings

- 20% discount off all Spaldings parts invoiced through Atlas Fram

Pan Anglia

- Further discount available when invoiced through AtlasFram

Parts

- Additional parts discount is available from most machinery dealers

- Agricultural Plant Hire – very good on Class & New Holland parts, up to 30%

discount

Others

- A full range of suppliers are available including filters, belts and bearings,

Pressure washers etc.

Utilities - 01728 727723/22

Electricity

Members will need to speak to their current provider to find out if they are in

contract and if so when it ends. Notice needs to be served at the correct time.

Your current supplier will be able to tell you when this should be. You can then

serve notice and obtain an end of contract date for transfer. The contract end

date along with the account details, meter supply number and site addresses

should be given to the Electricity department. Once the account has been

transferred, it can take up to 6 months for a smart meter to be installed so it

would be advisable to monitor the meter readings. Once the smartmeter has

been installed your bills should always read ‘A’ for actual. If that is not the case

please contact the AFG office.

Telecommunications

We have a range of offers, including bespoke contracts with Vodafone and

O2,on mobile phones as well as extremely low landline rental and call rates with

other providers. We can also arrange business quality broadband, either on its

own or in conjunction with a landline calls package. Please contact the office for

the latest rates on all the above. We will also talk you through the transfer

process which we try to ensure is as smooth as possible.

Building & General supply accounts - 01728 727718

As a general ‘rule of thumb,’ small orders i.e. up to value of around £200 can be

done direct with the supplier as discounts are set up on those marked on the

suppliers list - Please note that if you are asked for an order number, please

quote your Member code. For any large orders then it is recommended to call

the office for a quote. New Members may experience some initial problems

booking to their account as the information we provide to suppliers does not

necessarily get to the shop counter. It is very important that you carry your

membership card with you as proof. If the supplier is still reluctant to book it to

your account then please ask them to call the accounts office on 01728 727730

to confirm the membership details. Likewise, in some instances, where you are

using a satellite branch that may not be familiar with AFG accounts then ask

them to call accounts office and they will give them the account number.

Health Insurance

The company scheme is run by BUPA and based on average age and number

of claims. There are different levels of cover and excess to suit your

circumstance. No claims within the first 3 months are permitted. If you are

interested simply contact the office supplying your date of birth and number of

people to be involved.

Accounts - 01728 727730 - “Saving time”

Accounts

Monthly statements are sent around middle of month following. Any invoices

in dispute are marked ‘D’, those on extended terms are marked ‘X’ neither of

these will be included within the final figure taken. It is important that all invoices

are checked promptly and any problems reported back to the accounts office.

Payment is taken by DD on the third last working day of the month. Rebates on

all commodities will be returned in Spring and Autumn.

Sub accounts

At no additional cost, we can also provide separate Member accounts to reflect

different farming interests, which will identify specific transactions relevant

to those enterprises. This is a very useful and increasingly popular facility

with Members who operate complex farming businesses or are increasingly

involved in Contract Farming Operations, where it is important to demonstrate

transparency in terms of input purchases and crop marketing.

Members Area Website Access

This gives you access to your personal account so you can check invoices

before you receive your statement plus you can search for a missing invoice or

sort by supplier or date. It also allows you to access confidential market

information , prices and trends and a searchable supplier directory. Apply for

access via the AtlasFram website: www.atlasfram.co.uk.

The grain marketing department provides a comprehensive marketing service

for Members’ cereals, oilseed rape and pulses. It is a very flexible service

whereby you can commit as little or as much as you like. We offer pools for

cereals, oilseeds and pulses – harvest, Oct-Dec or Oct-Jan. Advance payments

offered on committed grain.

Grain Marketing - 01728 727720 - “Better returns”

Pools have been highly effective and have consistently performed above those

of other company pools. If you would rather be more involved in the day to day

trading then you can sell through Crop-trade. AtlasFram carries credit insurance

on all transactions. Haulage is arranged in house.

Regular market reports are available by email plus a daily market update by

mobile.

farmers cooperating

New Road,

Framlingham,

Woodbridge,

Suffolk,

IP13 9AT

Tel: 01728 727700

E-mail: mail@atlasfram.co.uk

Web: www.atlasfram.co.uk

Mike Goddard,

Guston Court Farm, Dover

“Since joining AtlasFram

we have completely

changed the way we buy,

and the way we sell. It was

only a month or so after

joining that we realised

what we’d been missing.

They are always

competitive.”