Openfield
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (November 2025) |
 | |
| Type | Agricultural co-operative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Arable agriculture |
| Founded | 17 November 2008, through merger of Grainfarmers of south Hampshire and Centaur Grain of north Hampshire |
| Headquarters | Colsterworth, South Kesteven, Lincolnshire, NG33 5LY |
Area served | UK |
| Key people | James Dallas (Chief Executive) Philip Moody(Chairman) |
| Products | Seed Fertiliser Grain Storage |
| £555m (2023/4) | |
| £0.8m (2023/4) | |
| Website | Openfield |
Openfield is a British grain marketing and arable inputs co-operative based in Lincolnshire.[1][2][3] It is one of Britain's largest agricultural companies and Britain's only national co-operative in its field, with a turnover of over £550m. It markets grain for farmers and grain stores. In other countries, mainly Canada, this type of company is known as a wheat pool. The head office is based on the former RAF North Witham and prominent customers include some of the largest and well known British food and drink brands in the UK.
Openfield is a member of the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme, and works with many fertiliser suppliers including CF, Glasson, ICL, Nitrasol, Omex, Origin, Timac and Yara. It is also a member of the Agricultural Industries Confederation.
History
[edit]
It was formed in November 2008 from the merger of Centaur Grain (of Andover) and Grainfarmers (of Micheldever, Winchester). It is now[when?] the largest UK farmer owned grain marketing co-operative and one of the largest companies in Lincolnshire, by turnover.[citation needed] The Colsterworth site opened in 1980.
Centaur Grain
[edit]Centaur had been formed in 2001 when Group Cereal Services (GCS) of South East England joined Lingrain of the East of England. It was based at Goodworth Clatford in north Hampshire.
Grainfarmers
[edit]
This began as the Southern Counties Agricultural Trading Society in 1907. It was renamed as Grainfarmers Group Ltd in 2003. It had offices in Aberdeen, Walton (near Wetherby), Bressingham, Bourne, LincsCompton Abdale, Cannington and Micheldever. It marketed over 17% of the UK's grain and represented over 4000 farmers.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Angus Cereals and Openfield unveil plan for grain store at Montrose". The Scotsman. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Grain co-operative Openfield doubles its profit". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
- ↑ "Farm grain group boost profits and invests in eastern region". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 18 August 2026.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- "Anticipated merger between Grainfarmers Group and Centaur Grain Group" (Office of Fair Trading, 2008)
- Spackman, Paul (2008-09-12). "Grainfarmers and Centaur Grain merger plans announced". Farmers Weekly.
- British companies established in 2008
- Companies based in Lincolnshire
- South Kesteven
- Agricultural cooperatives in the United Kingdom
- Agricultural marketing cooperatives
- Agricultural supply cooperatives
- Grain companies
- Agriculture companies established in the 2000s
- Companies established in 2008
- 2008 establishments in England