Mole Valley Farmers and Exeter based St Davids Farm Practice are pleased to announce a new innovative Joint venture whereby the coming together of two professional practices will form Molecare Veterinary Services Ltd.
Originally set up in 1943, St David’s Farm Practice of Exeter has grown from a traditional mixed practice to a group of specialist farm, equine and poultry vets. Today, St David’s is a well-established farm practice with a very loyal and supportive client base. The business has a strong reputation for customer service and high quality veterinary standards.
Mole Valley Farmers was Established in 1960 by a small group of farmers concerned about discriminatory practices and large supplier margins on key agricultural inputs. The business has evolved over the years and now has over 8,000 farmer shareholders and 30,000 members serving the agricultural and rural community through 52 rural retailing stores, a 700,000t animal feed business, fertiliser supply and other related products and services.
In recent years, Mole Valley Farmers introduced Molecare Animal Health & Veterinary Services, offering a more integrated holistic approach to serving its shareholders and members. This business currently operates 2 Farm practices at its South Molton & Frome retail stores along with a small animal practice in Newton Abbot serving over 3,000 clients.
The new venture will combine the practices of both businesses under one joint venture. Alan Beynon, Managing Partner of St David’s, will take up the role as Managing Director of this new integrated business with Tony O’Loughlin heading up Farm Animal services and Mark Riggs managing the small animal practice.
“Farming is going through great change and with CAP reform, more change is inevitable. Veterinary agricultural business must better understand and adapt to the future needs of its customers,” explains Alan.
“Our sector must now embrace this changing environment and match our services to customer demand. We must look to combine high standards of professional care with a more integrated approach to livestock production and management. The Vet can no longer be isolated in their approach, we need to work as part of the farm management team.”
“This new venture with Mole Valley will benefit farmers by integrating high standards of care with specialist knowledge of nutrition and livestock management. New product and service packages will be introduced focussing on efficiency, productivity and quality improvement on farm.
“It’s business as usual and all clients will continue to receive the highest level of service from their existing vet. The new venture will now start with an initial team of 20 large animal vets covering the South & South West of England,”concludes Alan.
Andrew Jackson, CEO of Mole Valley Farmers says: “Improved efficiency and productivity on farm will be vital for many farmers to ensure profitability and long term sustainability. We believe our members and shareholders will welcome this venture, offering a more modern, innovative approach to animal care, nutrition and livestock management.
“We are excited to be working with Alan and his team. Combining scale, resources, knowledge and know how together with our strong purpose to create a competitive environment for inputs and deliver even greater value to farmers can only benefit the livestock sector. This venture lays down the foundations for future expansion, initially across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset.”
