What Makes a Feed Ingredient Provider Top-Rated for Large-Scale Agriculture?

Important Characteristics to Look For in a Feed Brokerage

Agriculture has been in existence for tens of thousands of years, but many, many things have changed. From technology advances to rapid population growth, the industry has required adaptation in order to remain successful. When it comes to finding a partner that is able to provide quality feed brokerage services, it’s important to look for a firm that has both the deep-seated knowledge of the industry as well as a few key characteristics that allow for quick adaptation. 

Flexibility 

The best laid plans are often met with roadblocks (metaphorically and literally). We see this especially in the winter months when heavy snow and ice hit hardest. Carriers are often met with road closures, forced detours and reduced speed limits which can cause delays for 20-25% of their trips. A feed brokerage partner needs to have the flexibility to pivot so that your supply chain isn’t interrupted. A provider with multiple carriers or multiple supply points can help navigate these challenges. A provider with both is even better. 

What are the benefits of multiple carriers in feed ingredient distribution?

Multiple carrier relationships benefit large-scale agriculture operations through several key advantages. For starters, it offers competitive pricing advantages as well as more diverse geographic coverage. If one carrier cannot provide the ingredient needed or if an operation is price-conscious, then multiple carriers can be sourced to find the best fit. Secondly, if a disruption takes place with one carrier, other carriers can be called in to ensure delivery of a product. 

What are the benefits of multiple supply sources in feed ingredient distribution?

Multiple supply sources ensure that large-scale agriculture operations have access to the product they need at the quantity they require. Multiple supply points can secure that the product is available and - similar to multiple carriers - also allow for flexible and competitive sourcing and pricing. Finally, when a supply point is disrupted (for example, a major snowstorm impacts the area), ingredients can be found at another supply source, ensuring that there is little to no disruption in delivery. 

Transparency 

Having direct access to your feed ingredient brokerage is one of the key aspects to maintaining a successful and long-term relationship. You shouldn’t have to guess where your product is or if it will be delivered on time, even when there is a major event disrupting parts of the supply chain. 

Running a large-scale agriculture operation requires wearing multiple hats, and having a trusted partner in feed sourcing is paramount. When looking for a top-rated feed brokerage partner, ask the following questions: 

• Who can I call if I have a question or concern? 

• What if the person I’m trying to reach isn’t available? 

• What happens if there is an issue outside of normal business hours? 

It's rare to work with a team that actually knows your name. It's even rarer when that team brings decades of industry experience. But when they're genuinely invested in making your operation succeed? That's when you know you've found the right partner.

The Harris Crane Process 

We know the importance of reliable, trusted relationships, especially when you can’t plan for every scenario that may impact product delivery. With multiple supply points and carriers and a team that is personally accessible, we serve our clients with the highest standards. 

If you are interested in learning more about how we can help your large-scale agriculture operation, call us at 1-800-432-7755.