Smyths Daleside in County Donegal, is one of the most modern mills in the country.  It has a heritage of producing superior animal feeds since 1865 and currently serves an extensive customer base right across the northern half of Ireland.

To get an insight into this “feed solution” business, we spoke to Ray Winters (General Manager), Simon Smyth (Mill Manager) and Jeremy Mc Gonigle (Sales Director).  They began by explaining that the company produces feed for both ruminant and monogastric animals. The ingredients used are carefully selected and sourced locally, nationally and internationally, where experienced nutritionists then formulate them into a comprehensive range of rations.

The emphasis at Smyths is very much focused on delivering quality solutions, which are tailored towards each customer.

“The feed we produce is specially designed to suit each individual farmer’s needs,” says Jeremy McGonigle.  He goes on to say, “Our sales team consists of eleven technically qualified and experienced representatives, who communicate directly with customers on a daily basis, in order to help them select the most appropriate diet.”

“Although cost is important when designing a product,” Ray Winters explains, “We will never be a least cost feed manufacturer.  We will continue to give farmers the best return over the lifetime of their animals, which is only achieved by using the best ingredients and never compromising on quality.”

All products manufactured in the mill are to the highest standards, as set by the Department of Agriculture, the Universal Feed Assurance Scheme, An Bord Bia and the Irish Grain Assurance Scheme. These standards are monitored and maintained on a daily basis by an integrated control system, which ensures full traceability of all products.

Smyths has the capability of manufacturing 16,000 tonnes of meal, coarse and pellets per month, covering Donegal, Connaught, North Leinster and Northern Ireland

“We have a modern and well maintained fleet of lorries, which are monitored by the latest tracking system.” says Ray. “Finished feed is offered in both bags and bulk, which is usually delivered to our catchment area the following day and in all weather conditions.”

“Delivering into merchants allows us to cater for the customer who wants to buy our products in 25kg bags.” reveals Ray.

“Our goal is to create a two-way relationship between farmer and mill,” says Simon Smyth, “Where the customers’ success is our success.”
Is there much scope for further growth of the business?

Simon commented that, “As regular auditing of home-mixing becomes ever more common place, it gets increasingly difficult and expensive for farmers to meet the raft of stringent regulations that are now in force.  In light of this, they may well find it both more practical and more economical, to use an accredited mill.”

“The beef industry is depressed at the moment, but if past experience is anything to go by, it will recover again,” says Jeremy.   “Suckler Cow numbers should increase as factories meet the renewed demand for quality Irish Beef –   it is important that farmers do not lose sight of this.

Dairy cow numbers are increasing due to the current good milk prices and the removal of quotas in April 2015. Spikes in the price of milk and beef are inevitable, but there will always be a demand for quality. The removal of the quota means that farmers may need additional feed to support their grazing platforms, so there is good market potential here.’

Ray concludes our meeting by stating that; “Our customer loyalty reflects the fact that performance of our diets remain as one of our core values.  All products are manufactured to the highest standard, in order to provide our customers with superior feed solutions, which are second to none.”

“We are both proud and passionate about what we do and our willingness to change and diversify has ensured a flourishing business for nearly 150 years. Evolution, Expansion and Excellence have been the driving force behind everything that we do.”

Smyths Daleside Animal Feeds,
Ballindrait,
Lifford,
County Donegal.
Tel: 074 9171300
Fax:074 9171321
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.smythsfeeds.com

Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 2 No 5, October 2014

Animal feeds, Daleside, Smyths