Cost-conscious Tees Valley farmer launches buying group

Co-operation and cost-saving is at the heart of an online farmer buying group devised by a livestock farmer and a technology entrepreneur.

Discounts for farm inputs are possible through a free-to-join membership of the Farm Buyer Club, a social enterprise initiative created by Tees Valley livestock farmer Harry Hodgson and technology businessman Nick Vaughan.

Commission is currently being waived to maximise savings for members. However, it will be set at about 3%, depending on the item, according to Mr Hodgson, who runs a beef and sheep farm and organic farm shop in Piercebridge, near Darlington.

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Most products are bought by the Farm Buyer Club following payment to the club by the farmer. The club then pays the supplier.

Mr Hodgson said: “The main thing we are starting off doing is medicines, because there are so many different prices out there. We hope to pool buying power across as many farms as possible and get 10-30% discounts, depending on the item.

“Often farmers want the same thing at the same time, like fly treatments or vaccines. So we are harnessing individual member purchasing power to create a larger purchasing power to save farmers money.”

The club offers discounts on:

• Seeds
• Tendering
• Insurance
• Medicines and sundries
• Fencing and gates
• Machinery, parts, implements and feed bins
• Clothing brands

Charitable aims

A percentage of profits in the long term will be donated to the agricultural arm of the Mintridge Foundation, a charity to educate young farmers about mental health.

“Anyone that knows me understands I have enough diversifications already,” said Mr Hodgson, who owns a farm shop and café, breeds Angus bulls, runs 1,100 ewes, and has an organic egg business.

“This is not about making more money for us; we are trying to save money for fellow farmers, and hopefully put anything we make back into the industry. Family farm sustainability is at the heart of this.”

Mr Vaughan is a Herefordshire farmer’s son, and the website and has been created by web developer Helen Keen. 

Early days

Farm Buyer Club is still at the “proof of concept stage”, with a rapidly growing list of members, said Mr Hodgson.

“We want to get to 1,000 members by the end of the year. We already have had local interest and commercial family farms buying seed, medicine and fencing materials on the site.”

Threatened suppliers

Mr Hodgson stressed farm suppliers should not be threatened by the club, but should use it to increase customer bases without investing in reps, cars, advertising or new offices by joining the club as a seller or registered supplier.

“The club could be seen negatively by merchants, but for merchants wanting to grow their business without adding in cost, it could be a great option. We have not closed our doors, so we can add new merchants at any time.”