Newsletter - Countrywide Farmers

Newsletter
Supplying the rural community
New Board
Chairman appointed
Nigel Hall has been appointed
Chairman of the Countrywide Board,
taking over from outgoing Chairman
John Pugh in November 2007.
Mr Hall, aged 52, has been a member of
the Countrywide Board since January
2005 and has a strong retail and general
management background.
He qualified as a Chartered Accountant
with Price Waterhouse before joining the
Burton Group (subsequently Arcadia
Group plc) in 1984, where he was Group
Finance Director from 1997 until 2003.
As well as Countrywide, Mr Hall’s Board
positions include non executive Director
of Unite Group plc, C&J Clark Limited and
Pinewood Shepperton plc.
Nigel Hall comments: "I am excited about
succeeding John Pugh as Chairman of
Countrywide and working with the Board
and Senior Executives, to develop the
business to better serve our customers in
the rural community, give rewarding careers
to our staff and deliver value to our
shareholders."
Countrywide’s Managing Director, John
Hardman has welcomed Nigel Hall as
Board Chair and thanked John Pugh for
his contribution to the Board over the
past seven years (including the last three
years of these as Chairman).
Countrywide takes on
100% of LPG joint
venture in £4 million deal
Countrywide has announced the largest
acquisition deal in the company’s
history. The multi-million pound deal
sees Countrywide acquiring the 50 per
cent interest that Esso currently owns in
an LPG joint venture. The interest was
originally acquired by ESSO over 15
years ago.
This significant development is a key part
of the strategic expansion of
Countrywide’s Energy business, and will
see increased profits and efficiency
through the growth of the company’s LPG
business.
David Asquith is General Manager for
Countrywide’s Energy business who has
been instrumental in the deal: “We have
been working very closely with Esso to
secure this deal which fits superbly with
the strategic plans for the Countrywide
Energy business and presents a great
opportunity for us to consolidate
Countrywide’s LPG interest.
Our business continues to expand
geographically in the Midlands, the
South, the South West and Wales and
taking back 100 per cent ownership for
all our trading area has strong
commercial advantages for us and our
customers.”
John Hardman, Countrywide’s
Managing Director also comments on
the news: “This is the largest deal
Countrywide has completed and will
be earnings enhancing in year one and
presenting an excellent return on
investment for our shareholders.”
Countrywide is a major supplier of LPG
to commercial, agricultural and
domestic customers and supplies bulk,
cylinder and autogas LPG in the South
and South West, the Midlands and the
Welsh border areas.
National industry award win for Countrywide
Countrywide was amongst the winners at OvertheCounter magazine annual
national awards held in December, that reward best practice and aim to create
ambassadors for the animal health industry.
David Tucker from Countrywide’s Melksham store
won the Store Manager of the Year award receiving
a trophy, £100 and a trip to Paris as his prize
presented by Adam Henson of BBC's Countryfile.
David is the successful store manager of our top
performing store in Melksham where he
encourages excellent teamwork with his staff.
David is determined that every person who walks
through the door is greeted with the level of
service he would want to receive if he was on the
other side of the counter. The judges felt he was a leader in industry excellence.
John Mackie and Clive Barrington Cramp, both Retail Trade Sales Specialists were
shortlisted for the Mastermind award with John being named as runner up. Simon
Messenger, Agricultural Supervisor at Countrywide’s Gloucester Store was shortlisted
for the customer service award and received the title of ‘Highly Commended’.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Fuel Management made easier - Page 2
Wood pellets cheaper than oil - Page 3
Wyevale partnership - Page 4
Shop online at www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk

Supplying the rural community
LPG autogas – the rural fuel alternative
Steve Richardson, Countrywide’s,
Energy Operations Manager, looks at
why LPG is leading the way as the ideal
rural alternative fuel.
The LPG vehicle
fuel market has
seen a significant
growth over the
last 10 years. An
existing petrol car,
if converted to run
on LPG, will bring
an immediate carbon
reduction at
the tailpipe from the same car of around
12 percent. When the carbon output from
the production and transportation of the
two fuels is taken into account and considered
together with real life driving conditions,
a further 8 per cent benefit
accrues, meaning there is in total a reduction
of carbon into the atmosphere of 20
per cent per mile driven.
But it is not just in lowering carbon
emissions where LPG scores so well. It is
indisputably the number one road fuel in
delivering improvements in air quality.
There are parts of London that regularly
exceed laid down guidelines for local air
quality, largely thanks to road vehicles.
Diesel is not only worse on carbon output
compared to LPG, but it compares poorly
on air quality too - LPG vehicles emit only
1/20th of the NOx of diesel vehicles,
whilst a massive 1/120th fine particles are
emitted.
Government support
Government support for LPG use as a
road fuel continues with a commitment to
provide at least three years’ notice on any
change in duty when compared with
petrol and diesel. This has hardly changed
over the last ten years and will only
change by less than 1p ahead of the 2010
Budget. As a result, the price of LPG at the
pumps should continue at around half the
price of petrol and diesel for the
foreseeable future.
Further savings can be made by
businesses running a small fleet of
vehicles by having their own autogas tank
and benefiting from bulk buying
discounts.
Major investment by gas supply
companies means there are over 1,300
public access refuelling sites available,
enabling drivers to run their vehicle totally
on autogas even without their own bulk
facility.
More details on LPG as a fuel, its
environmental and economic advantages,
converting to LPG and filling up
with LPG in the UK and abroad can be
found on www.boostlpg.com – the
consumer guide to LPG in the UK.
Countrywide has 38 Autogas Key sites:
• Banbury
• Bath
• Bearley Mill
• Berkeley
• Brecon
• Bridgend
• Bridgwater
• Brimfield
• Bristol (Dundry)
• Bristol
(Longwell Green)
• Bromsgrove
• Chepstow
• Chipping Norton
• Cirencester
• Crewkerne
• Glastonbury
• Gloucester
• Hereford
• Kidderminster
• Leamington Spa
• Ledbury
• Leominster
• Llandrindod Wells
• Malvern
• Marksbury
• Marlborough
• Melksham
• Ross on Wye
• Shrewsbury
• Solihull
• Stratford upon Avon
• Swindon
• Telford
• Wellington
• Westbury
• Weston-super-Mare
• Witney
• Worcester
Contact the Countrywide Autogas Team
on 0800 243889 to find out how LPG
can benefit you.
MOBILE PHONE OFFER
EXCLUSIVE TO COUNTRYWIDE
Countrywide have teamed up
with T-Mobile to offer a great
deal on mobiles, why not
contact the Customer Service
Team on 0800 3280011
for further details.
Fuel Management made easier with Countrywide
The Countrywide Fleet Health Check is a free service that offers an excellent
pence per litre, and ensures your vehicles achieve the correct miles per gallon.
In addition, the service covers the security of purchasing fuel to minimise
fraud and provides excellent reporting on what is being spent on fuel.
Countrywide offer three networks depending on personal or business needs. The
first network is the Countrywide Diesel Direct Card, available from a network of
over 1,000 sites across the UK. Prices are amongst the most competitive available,
due to the bulk related diesel price applied to all transactions wherever the fuel is
drawn from. There is no maximum or minimum purchase required and no joining
fee, plus free 24hr access to Driveline to view account details and usage.
The second network is FastFuel, a system accepted at almost 2,000 Texaco & UK
Fuel sites across the UK. This fuel card is the only one currently available to offer
discounted prices on petrol and diesel, and with free access to the fuel
management website provides secure information on usage by vehicle. The final
network available is the ReD card, accepted at over 800 multi-branded site
nationwide which also cover Europe.
To register for a Countrywide Fleet Health Check or a fuel card contact
James Hall on 0800 0852583 or email jhall@countrywidefarmers.co.uk
Page 2
Shop online at www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk

Energynews
Fuel investment helps
customer deliveries
Countrywide is investing a quarter of
million pounds in a new fuel storage
facility at Weston Super Mare, to offer
customers a more complete fuel
delivery service.
The plant will allow Countrywide to
extend its delivery area southwards into
North Devon and South Somerset.
“Following the closures of both Buncefield
after a fire and the facilities at
Avonmouth, fuel storage has become a
major issue,” explains David Asquith,
Countrywide’s General Manager for
Energy. “Our new plant will give
Countrywide customers ready access to
fuel, and will add in the region of 500
additional square miles to the current
delivery area,” David adds.
The new plant at Weston Super Mare
provides Countrywide with 270,000 litres
of storage for kerosene Gas Oil and Road
Diesel, with the flexibility to increase
capacity as the business grows. Its
position close to the M5 is practical for
customers, whilst the location next to
Countrywide’s LPG plant (which opened
in 2006) means customers can access the
complete range of off mains fuel from
one site.
“The expansion of the trading area will
allow fuel and LPG to be delivered to
many existing Countrywide customers
who could not previously get deliveries.
This, along with our new renewable wood
pellet service, means that Countrywide
continues to be the number one supplier
of energy products to the rural
community,” David adds.
Initially two Countrywide tankers will be
based at Weston, with plans for more
underway. “Countrywide’s farming
customers are already responding
positively to our fuel offering, with tractor
diesel sales up by over 30 per cent in
2007 across all areas,” says David. “This
growth is thanks to Countrywide’s superb
value for money combined with
excellence in customer service.”
Wood Pellets cheaper than Oil
Renewable heating products such as
biomass wood pellets now have a far
more competitive edge in the domestic
heating market.
With a litre of heating oil now costing
upwards of 35p per litre and the cost of
wood pellet ranging from £190 tonne
upwards, the approximate price for
delivered heat can be seen on the graph
at the bottom of this page taken from the
Biomass Energy Centre.
Users of biomass heating systems can
expect to save up to 40 per cent
compared to the costs of heating oil
(depending on the efficiency of your
heating system).
Julie Jones-Ford is Renewables Manager
at Countrywide who explains: “As with all
heating products, supply costs will vary,
but with the prediction that oil will
become a scarcer resource in the future
and with crude costs at $92.48 for
November 2007 (the August price was
$70.69) we can only anticipate that we
will see further rises,” she says. “Add to
that the carbon savings that are available
by switching to wood pellets (oil
produces 0.25kg/kWh and wood pellet is
widely regarded as being 95 per cent
carbon neutral), then biomass heating
systems will undoubtedly become more
popular in the coming years driving wood
pellets prices down even further.”
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Typical Domestic Prices for Fuels
Countrywide sells a range of biomass
boilers and wood pellets which are
available in bags or bulk.
For further details and prices on
biomass heating systems or wood
pellets please contact
Julie Jones-Ford on
01386 757333.
Pence per kWh
0
Wood Chips 30% mc) Wood Pellet Nat Gas Oil Electricity
Type of Fuel
Shop Customer online Care at www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk
Line 0800 055 6761
Page 3

Supplying the rural community
Countrywide appoints
rural affairs advisor
Countrywide takes its relationship
with the rural community very
seriously, and to reflect the
commitment have appointed Jo
Croxton as its Rural Affairs Advisor.
“Jo’s role is crucial to provide knowledge
and expertise to the rural community in
areas that Countrywide, as an
organisation, can usefully advise on,”
explains Managing Director John
Hardman. “Jo brings her 17 years’
experience in this sector as well as 12
years’ experience directly here with
Countrywide to the position.
She will be developing a knowledge hub
of expertise which will be available in
‘How to Guides’,” he adds. These guides
will be available at
www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk and in
store
The key responsibility of Countrywide’s
Rural Affairs Advisor is to ensure that all
Countrywide’s communications
containing rural information are as
informative and relevant as possible to
assist and advise the rural community. Jo
will ensure the website contains up to
date information on key subjects such as
Bird Flu, Blue Tongue and other rural
topics.
“As well as supplying the most
comprehensive range of products and
services we can to our customers,
Countrywide’s vision for excellence in
customer service means that we also
want to supply as much information and
assistance as we can to those who need
it.” comments Jo.
Countrywide Wyevale
partnership announced
Countrywide and Wyevale have
announced a trading partnership which
saw Countrywide opening stand-alone
stores in Autumn 2007 in two Wyevale
garden centres.
In Wyevale’s Thatcham and Bridgemere
garden centres, Countrywide has
dedicated store areas from which it now
retails a selection of its pet, equestrian
and smallholder products, in areas
complementary to the existing Wyevale
ranges and further widening the range of
products and services offered.
“The synergy between Wyevale and
Countrywide is a strong one,” explains
John Hardman, Countrywide’s Managing
Director. “Our Countrywide customer
demographic appeals to Wyevale and vice
versa, and the partnership potentially
delivers an expanded customer base to
both retailers. Both businesses operate
from out of town locations and work
closely with suppliers to give customers
wide ranges and product choice at
competitive prices.”
Our new Thatcham store
“We are selling pet, equestrian, and
clothing ranges in these stores,
supported by knowledgable staff in store
who can offer relevant, expert advice,”
adds Garry Wharmby, Countrywide’s
Retail General Manager. “Customers
visiting the stores can also view the
wider ranges sold by Countrywide online,
where purchases made can be delivered
direct.”
To locate your nearest store or to
shop online visit
www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk
Strengthening of the retail team
Key roles join Countrywide’s retail team
this new year. Richard Bunce joins as
the Head of Buying, whilst Sara
Blackshaw takes up the role of
Equestrian Buyer, Alan Hartshorn as
Regional Manager and Aaron Oliver as
Trade Sales Specialist.
As Head of Buying, Richard Bunce will
manage the Countrywide team of buyers
which covers the company’s stores, as
well as the supply team. He will be based
at Countrywide’s Defford head office.
“We are seeking to explore new ranges
and ideas to maximise Countrywide’s
sales opportunities as our retail business
expands,” said Richard. And joining
Richard’s team is Sara Blackshaw who
brings a wealth of buying experience from
the fashion and equestrain industry.
Alan Hartshorn has joined from
Somerfield and will work as a Store
Regional Manager alongside Mark Oliver
and Andy Watson overseeing the
operational management of stores.
Aaron Oliver has been appointed as Trade
Sales Specialist to cover the South Wales
area from his base outside Bridgend. With
an impressive background in livestock,
arable and dairy, Aaron’s passion for the
countryside reflects Countrywide’s own
vision.
“These are important strategic
appointments for Countrywide, at this
time of exciting retail growth,” says Garry
Wharmby, Countrywide’s Retail General
Manager. “2008 is set to be a significant
year for our retail business, and I am
delighted to welcome Richard, Sara, Alan
& Aaron to be part of our team,” he adds.
The appointments further strengthens the
skills, expertise and knowledge in the
Retail Team to develop Countrywide as a
leading UK supplier in the rural
community.
Page 4
Shop online at www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk

Retailnews
Garden Centre
Development For
New Season
With Spring just round the corner,
Countrywide have made two key
appointments to develop the seasonal
product area in the country stores.
In March Countrywide will be re-launching
garden centre areas at 15 of its 42 Country
Stores. To support the garden centres
Countrywide have appointed David Gray as
Seasonal Implementation Manager. David,
a qualified horticulturist, will be creating a
wonderful shopping experience in the
garden centre stores through the sourcing
of premium ranges including alpines,
grasses, herbs, ornamental and fruit trees,
climbers and hanging baskets to name a
few.
Dave Maryon has joined the business as
Seasonal Buyer, and will be responsible for
the buying categories of gardening,
ardware, heating and shooting. Dave, who
joins from a strong retail background
including a previous spell of 15 years at
Countrywide within store management
and the buying office, will be based at
Countrywide’s Witney office and will report
to the company’s Senior Buyer.
Driving forward
Countrywide is investing in a new fleet
of lorries as part of a five year
replacement plan within its thriving
distribution business. In January three
new Scania Topline Tractor Units,
(Euro 4 Spec 480BHP) arrived with a
further six on order for delivery
throughout this year and into 2009.
Switched on - with Horse & Country TV
Countrywide has signed an agreement with
Horse & Country TV to become one of their
principle brand partners. This exciting new
partnership offers great opportunities to
promote the brand through the sky channel
and on-line store. Horse & Country TV is
dedicated to equestrianism and the
countryside with a wide range of programmes broadcast on channel 280 appealing to a
variety of viewers. The agreement includes sponsorship of 'Come Bye' which is
broadcast on Sundays evenings. The fifteen one hour programmes brings the skills and
excitement of proper sheep dog trialling back to television. The series provides a
showcase for all the best action from the 2007 National Trials of Ireland, England,
Scotland and Wales, plus the International Trials held this year in Ireland.
For further information visit www.horseandcountry.tv
Online store goes from
strength to strength
Over the past six months, the Countrywide
website has gone from strength to strength with
just under 220,000 visitors! The highest numbers
of online customers are from the London,
Birmingham and Manchester areas, which means
the site is reaching customers outside the
Country Store catchment areas.
With over 8,500 product lines now available to buy online, the range is continuously
growing with new products being added each week, including Winter 2007/2008
clothing, shooting, fishing, and smallholder ranges.
Charlotte Mulveagh is Countrywide’s E-Commerce Manager who comments on the
growth: “November 2007 saw a record month of sales, almost double the monthly
average. There was a similar pattern of success throughout December, particularly with
the 15 per cent off clothing and footwear promotion driving up sales,” she explains.
Sign up now!
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by signing up to Countrywide’s email newsletter? It’s quick, free and easy to do, simply
enter your email address in the sign-up box on the Countrywide homepage at
www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk. Remember to tell your friends, family and colleagues
to sign up TODAY!
“The investment in and development of the Countrywide fleet are key for growth,
particularly with the expansion of our country store network,” explains Charlie
Fisher, Countrywide’s Distribution General Manager.
The Countrywide Distribution business has UK wide coverage handling
Countrywide’s distribution and external contracts for companies such as Tarmac,
Centaur, Grainfarmers, Frontier and Ringway.
Corgi model of a Countrywide lorry
The expansion of the fleet reinforces Countrywide’s continued commitment to quality and efficiency. The world famous Corgi brand
proudly now features Countrywide in its Collectables range - visit www.corgi.co.uk
Customer Care Line 0800 055 6761
Page 5

Supplying the rural community
A look forward
Alistair Folly, Countrywide’s General
Manager for Agriculture (pictured right),
takes a look back at 2007 and more
importantly looks forward to what is in
store in 2008.
“If at the start of 2007 someone had
suggested to me that we would see feed
wheat trading at £170 per tonne,
20-10-10 fertiliser at £250 tonne and
rising, milk at 26p per litre and fat lambs
at circa £35 in 12 month’s time I would
have probably questioned their sanity, yet
12 months down the road and here we
are.
The last 12 months for Countrywide have
seen significant changes in the way that
our Agriculture business operates. These
changes have all been about improving
efficiency and competitiveness whilst not
losing our unique product portfolio and
high quality approach to customer service.
I am delighted to say that we have
achieved our goals: securing effective and
competitive supply chains for top quality
products and building stronger trading
relationships with our supplier partners.
We are now in a far stronger position
both financially and operationally to meet
the needs of you, our customers going
forward. The profitability being achieved
so far this year is placing the busines in a
strong position for 2008 and beyond.
During December our new Chairman
Nigel Hall spent time in the field with the
sales team, visiting farmers to gain an
insight into the challenges that face the
industry. A farmer focus group, also
helped capture valuable feedback on
Countrywide highlighting the areas within
the business we need to develop to be
the leading supplier to farming and rural
communities.
The board have approved a three year
business strategy which focuses on an in
field sales team and direct sales team
supplying a wide product portfolio
through the most cost effective distribution
channels. Providing a 1st class customer
experience, supported by the
knowledge and expertise of livestock and
arable farming will ensure we are the
specialists to support the farming sector.
So what of the coming months? As for
feed, Countrywide’s belief is that ‘whilst
quality costs, quality counts’ and the
better specification feeds still do deliver
better value for money. This is none
more true than for ewe feeds and whilst
lamb prices are still very low, the ewes’
nutritional requirement for next Spring’s
crop has not changed from previous
years. Ultimately, poor quality, low
specification ewe feeds are not value for
money and by the time you find out it’s
too late as twin lamb strikes.”
For further details on the Countrywide
Feed & Arable products contact your
local Sales Specialist or call
0800 4320466.
Be the early bird
There are many reasons why it makes
sense to be the early bird and catch the
worm by ordering your fertiliser now.
Global demand is creating a shortfall
whilst MOP is in the hands of two different
suppliers which could mean a price war.
Phosphate demands are putting pressure
on mining capabilities so supply and
demand is out of balance. And wall to
wall wheat planting means more N is
required (despite a lack of imported N to
the UK) and Severnside has closed.
And so it goes on…. The rising cost of
compound feeds mean more farmers will
rely on forage, so once again more acres
are being planted. This all means it makes
sense to think ahead, and be the early
‘fertiliser’ worm this winter. Isn’t it better
off in the barn for when it’s needed, rather
than chasing when it’s needed ‘yesterday’?
To place your order now call
Countrywide on 01386 757372.
Feeding beef – what’s the solution?
The rise in cereal prices since harvest
together with price increases for other
raw material, mean the cost of finishing
beef cattle has risen this winter. There is
a scarcity of by product feeds like
confectionary waste, and forage stocks
are low and of poorer feeding value than
last winter. This means that feed costs
per kilo of liveweight gain will therefore
be increased at a time when there is no
expectation of increased prices for the
slaughtered beef.
So, what are the options? Reducing feed
costs by feeding more silage will only be
a sensible economic option if cattle are
going to be grown through the winter and
finished off grass next spring and
summer, and if there are sufficient stocks
of silage on farm to achieve this.
Jim Fordyce is Countrywide’s Feed
Technical Manager for the Agricultural
business. “Where silage is limited in
quantity or quality, decisions need to be
taken whether to store the animals
through the winter using a low level of
additional compound feed or blend, or
whether to increase supplementary feed
levels and finish the cattle sooner at
higher growth rates,” he says. “For
example, increasing the feed rate for a
finishing steer from 3 to 7 kg feed per
day will result in over 1.5 tonnes less
silage being fed and a lower feed cost
per animal because the cattle will have
been slaughtered four weeks earlier.
Feeding Countrywide Avon or Severn
beef nuts will ensure that the cattle
finish effectively,” Jim adds.
Get your forage analysed by a
Countrywide Feed Specialist so that
the correct balance of forage and
concentrates are fed using our Beef
Ration programmes to achieve the
target growth rates of your cattle, and
so minimize feed costs per kilo gain.
Call 0800 4320466 for contact details
of your Countrywide Feed Specialist.
Page 6
Shop online at www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk

Agrinews
Turf & Amenity Expansion
Countrywide has expanded its Turf & Amenity team with the recent appointment of Richard Shapland
as a Regional Sales Manager. Richard, who is covering West Dorset, Devon and Cornwall brings 30 plus
years’ experience in the sector including 17 years as Golf and Estates Manager at China Fleet Golf Club
at Saltash near Plymouth plus experience in growing and the maintenance of the Jack Nicklaus course
at St Mellion.
“Richard is part of the team helping build the Countrywide Turf and Amenity business,” explains Turf and
Amenity Manager Martin Townsend. “He is focusing on supplying golf courses, sports clubs, public schools,
councils and Local Authorities, developing credit worthy accounts”.
Richard Shapland
Regional Sales Manager
Covering Mid & South Wales, Herefordshire and Worcestershire is Regional Sales Manager Peter Holmstrom, with Sam Honeyborne
covering Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire & Wiltshire. Expert knowledge in the turf and amenity sector is key when advising customers on
the diverse range of products. Sam and Peter are currently studying to gain their BASIS Amenity qualification.
The Team recently attended BTME Harrogate exhibition and will again be attending Saltex 2008. If you would like your business
to reap the benefits of dealing with Countrywide Turf & Amenity call Martin Townsend on 01386 757300.
Making sense of silage
Cost effective forage -
Book your maize
requirements now!
Take a look at Countrywide’s wide
range of forage maize varieties from the
ultra early through to the economical,
to suit all farming situations.
The Performance Maize – Konsort – Ultra
reliable performer in all areas.
- New early hybrid- 8 Maturity NIAB
- High dry matter yield-105% over
control on less favourable sites
- High starch level – 33% high feed
value
- Early vigour – ME 11.3 MJ per kg DM
- Uniform well filled cobs with good
grain maturity
For further information on Maize Varieties
please contact your Local Sales Specialist
or the Seeds Team on 01386 757314 or
visit www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk
What our customers say:
“I farm at Mappowder in Dorest with
loam soil. This is the second year I’ve
used Bonapart, but I will certainly
continue using it as it was one of the
thickest crops that I have ever cut!”
Mark Ford, Cross Farm, Mappowder,
Dorset
“In my heavy clay soil I decided to plant
Kroesus this year, and I’m pleased with
the results. Kroesus is yielding
approximately 18 tonnes per acre for
me, and is the best looking crop I’ve
had to date in this hard to work soil.”
Richard Simmons, Yew Tree Farm,
Clevedon, Bristol
With the increase in raw material
costs, it’s more important than ever to
consider how best to make the most
of home grown crops.
As premier suppliers of the Sil-All
range of additives, Countrywide takes
a look at the proven and independently
verified benefits:
Reduced dry matter losses:
The FAAS approval for reduced ensiling
losses showed that using Sil-All 4x4
reduced losses by any average of 4.5 per
cent. For every 1,000 tonnes of fresh
material harvested, there is an
additional 45 tonnes to feed compared
with untreated silage.
Enhanced feed value:
Trials with Sil-All 4x4 treated silage have
shown increased milk yield (an extra 1kg
of milk per cow per day), as well as better
conversion per tonne of silage dry
matter compared to
untreated silage. In beef fattening
trials conducted at IGER, the liveweight
gain increased by 37 per cent (0.3 kgs
per hour per day) compared to
untreated silage.
Wider harvest window:
Good quality silage can be made in a
wider range of climatic conditions.
Cost effective: Return on investment for
milk: 3.7:1. Return on investment for
beef: 6.5:1
Customer Care Line 0800 055 6761
Page 7

Supplying the rural community
Caring for Customers
Following the recent successful launch of
the Central Feedback Logging System,
Sharon Prosser, Countrywide’s Customer
Service Manager is keen to highlight this
service to customers. Sharon and Kate are
eager to hear about your customer
experience, good or otherwise. They will
respond personally in an efficient and
friendly manner to ensure customer
satisfaction at all times. “We aim to provide
the best possible service to all of our
customers, where and whenever required,”
Sharon says. “We will always put our
customers first and deal with their request
at the point of contact. What’s more, we
will endeavour to make their customer
experience with us easy and enjoyable and
continually pursue improvement to provide
excellence,” Sharon explains.
Reward & Recognition
Countrywide’s vision is to be an employer
that recognises and rewards employees
within the business who go the extra mile
in terms of customer service and
performance.
Geoff Tidy receiving his award from
Alistair Folly
For further information on the Central
Feedback Logging System please
contact 0800 0556761 (Monday to
Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm) or e-mail
customercare@countrywidefarmers.co.
uk or write to Kate Stockburn at
Countrywide, Defford, Worcester,
WR8 9DF.
Sharon Prosser
Customer Service
Manager
Customer Service Award Winners
Tanya Stone – Wardle Country Store
Lee Collet – Corporate Office
Garry Ferguson - Tanker Driver
Tim Axford – Fuel Driver
Brian Stamps – Gloucester Store
Ray Petrie – LPG Driver
Top Performer Awards
Geoff Tidy – Agri Sales
Sarah Mitchell – Market Drayton
Davina Stanhope – Trade Sales
Phil Seabourne – Country Stores
Julie Jones-Ford – Renewable Energy
Bob Lewis – Internal Audit
Lindsey Hidderley – Newport Store
Bridgwater Store Team & Peter Welch
Sarah Francis – Group Finance
Malcolm Roberts - Marketing
A Call
For Help
People
Countrywide are pleased to
announce that the new Rural Stress
Helpline has been adopted as their
2008 charity of the year.
The Rural Stress Helpline, operating
from the Arthur Rank Centre in
Stoneleigh, is a totally confidential,
non judgemental listening service
guaranteeing anonymity to anyone in
a rural area feeling troubled, anxious,
worried, stressed or needing
information.
The helpline also provides ongoing
support, if necessary, until the difficulty
is resolved or other help is in place.
Rebecca Barningham, Countrywide’s
Group Marketing Manager explains:
“As the leading UK supplier to the rural
community it is important to lend our
support to this worthy initiative,” she
says. “This confidential helpline is
available for anyone living in a rural
area who maybe feeling worried,
stressed or who needs information on
any issue that affects them.
Call the Rural Stress Helpline now in
confidence on 0845 094 8286 or
visit www.ruralstresshelpline.co.uk.
AMTRA cover increased by 50% in Store
Over the last six months Countrywide has invested in the number of SQP’s (Suitably Qualified Persons) available in store to
advise and sell animal health products. This is a fantastic achievement, as the number of employees with an AMTRA
qualification has increased by 50%.
This year a further 84 staff will undertake the training which will provide each store with four qualified staff in order to provide
excellent knowledgeable service to our customers.
AMTRA is an independent regulatory body whose task it is to ensure that the marketing and distribution of animal medicines in the
UK is undertaken in a responsible manner by AMTRA qualified persons, known as SQP’s (Suitably Qualified Persons).
Countrywide Feedback
To improve future issues of this newsletter we welcome your feedback, simply call Customer Care on
0800 055 6761. The customer care line is also available if you have any queries or require any
information on our products and services.
Every care is taken in the preparation of this newsletter, but it should only be used as a guide. In the absence of its negligence, Countrywide Farmers plc does not accept any responsibility for any loss or
damage, however caused, as a result of any reliance placed upon information given in this publication by the reader or anyone to whom such information is communicated.
© Copyright Countrywide Farmers plc, 2008. E&OE. This newsletter has been printed using vegetable based inks and paper from sustainable resources.