In a business where big seems to hold an advantage, can small farmers still compete? In Poland, Cargill is helping farmers with small herds of livestock compete with large operations by finding a way to efficiently deliver feed on a small scale.

>>Download the print ad

Traditionally in Europe, large farms have the advantage of special feed delivery services made affordable by their large volume. Smaller livestock producers, on the other hand, must travel to the dealer to buy the few bags of feed per week they require. 

Cargill’s Nutrena Feeds operation in Poland worked with feed dealers and farmers to develop a Mobile Distribution Program to bring the feed store to the farmer on wheels…in the form of a custom delivery truck making regular calls on the farms. Their arrival is announced by a unique musical tune played by the trucks as they move through the Polish countryside. 

Farmers can purchase the few bags they need on a consistent schedule while benefiting from the efficiencies of delivered feed. 

The program leverages Cargill’s supply logistics expertise to develop individual routes and make the program cost efficient for the feed dealer. In addition, Cargill worked with the truck manufacturer and local banks to create special vehicle financing programs to make the program successful. Cargill also provides recruiting and sales training for the dealer’s vehicle operators, and posters and leaflets for distributing in advance to each farm. 

Each truck sells approximately 32 metric tons of feed per month, with 80% of sales in the first two years coming from new customers. As a result, feed dealers can grow by efficiently servicing their customers, and farmers can focus on what they do best: raising quality livestock.

This is how Cargill works with customers.