Silostop Agri’s Managing Director, Tim Brewer, and European Sales Manager, Ross Murray, recently embarked on a trip to Denmark to visit their distributor, Brdr-Ewers. The journey began with a flight into Billund, where they were greeted by a frosty landscape. The frozen lakes and white-coated terrain signaled that a chilly adventure awaited them.
From Billund, they drove approximately an hour and a half towards the west coast to meet with Finn, their contact in Denmark, who had arranged a series of farm visits for the first day. These visits proved to be a highlight, as they had the opportunity to visit several impressive farms that had trialed Silostop Flex 60 the previous year. The results of the trials were overwhelmingly positive, with farmers praising the product’s performance.
The farmers, who had all conducted multi-cut silage systems, expressed their satisfaction with the ease of use and durability of the Flex 60 sheets. They highlighted how the sheets maintained their strength even when the silage clamps were reopened to add additional cuts. Furthermore, the farmers were proud to showcase their silage quality, emphasising the absence of visible waste. The pride and passion these farmers exhibited for their operations and silage-making were inspiring.
An intriguing aspect of the visit was observing how Danish farmers covered their silage. Their method involved covering the walls first and then layering sheets over the top from both sides. This unique approach proved effective, as it ensured thorough coverage of both the walls and the top of the silage clamps.
A significant concern among the farmers was the impending recycling tax set to take effect in Denmark. Under this new regulation, farmers will be required to cover the cost of disposing of farm plastics at a rate of 1 DK/kg (approximately 11 pence). This led to discussions about the cost-saving benefits of using Silostop Flex 60. Compared to a traditional setup involving cling film and a black sheet, Flex 60 weighs about one-third as much, reducing disposal costs. Not only does the product enhance silage quality, but it also provides an economic advantage, making it a clear win-win for farmers.
The second day of the trip began with a drive north to Aarhus for a meeting with a company that sells Silostop products through their webshop. The meeting took place in a modern office housed within a charming old building, creating a unique blend of traditional and contemporary aesthetics. The discussions were productive, further solidifying the partnership.
The final leg of the journey involved a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Aarhus to Copenhagen. Tim and Ross were particularly looking forward to crossing two iconic bridges: Den Nye Lillebæltsbro (New Little Belt Bridge) and Storebæltsbroen (The Great Belt Bridge), the latter spanning an impressive 11 miles. Unfortunately, heavy fog obscured the views, but the experience of traversing the country from coast to coast was still memorable. The trip concluded with their arrival in Copenhagen before heading back the following morning.
This visit not only reinforced Silostop’s strong relationships with its Danish partners but also provided invaluable insights into the challenges and successes faced by local farmers. It underscored the value of Silostop’s innovative products in enhancing silage quality while addressing economic and environmental concerns.
