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Shepherd Grain: Four years young and forever-evolving

Oct 17, 2024

AS the 2024 harvest gets underway, ever-evolving Moree company Shepherd Grain has the gates open and are weighbridge-ready for a massive chickpea and faba bean harvest.

Shepherd Grain is located on a 10-acre site at 122 Burrington Road, just in behind the old Moree Abattoir site, and is easily accessible to heavy vehicles.

A second entrance to allow the movement of B-triples has recently been connected.

The company, which employs 12 staff all year-round and up to 20 during harvest season, is overseen by seeds manager, John Shepherd and grain trader, Todd Jorgensen.

Both directors have deep knowledge and experience of the industry and proudly stand by the maxim, “the people who own the company, run the company”.

“Shep”, formerly of Grainland Moree, is committed to injecting passion and professionalism into the new Shepherd Grain business, which was established four years ago this month.

Todd Jorgensen was the owner and CEO of Associated GRAIN in Dalby, Queensland for 20 years before joining forces with Shep.

When their vision and foresight collided, big things happened at the Burrington Road site – and are still happening.

Mr Jorgensen has more than 25 years’ experience in grain trading and seed sales and has played an integral role in the development of the mung bean industry in Australia.

He is also one of Australia’s largest chick-pea exporters.

John Shepherd and Todd Jorgensen have big plans for the Shepherd Grain Burrington Road site.

Mr Jorgensen said Shepherd Grain was an ever-evolving enterprise – and evolving at a rapid rate.

“We’ve put in a brand-new grading plant and a lot more silos to allow the efficiency of the processing to not only be more tonnes per hour, but also a better quality finished product,” Mr Jorgensen said.

“We’ve also installed a colour image sorter that can take seed to a much higher quality assurance level.

“There is also a new row of 700-tonne silos being fed by a 300-tonne per hour, 35-mtere bucket elevator,” he said.

A new 100-tonne forklift is on-site for all the heavy lifting.

“The site is pretty quickly evolving. We’ve put a second entrance in to allow easier unloading of B-triples and a dome shelter to allow us to do a lot more tonnes per day of planting seed,” Mr Jorgensen said.

Shepherd Grain supplies quality wheat, durum, barley, chick-pea, faba bean and mung bean seed Dalby to Dubbo and beyond.

Shep said Shepherd Grain is committed to upgrading facilities to improve turnaround times and processing results for both growers and the business.

“We have installed a new two-line grading plant – designed to be the gentlest plant in the country for mung beans – while providing a quality fast-grading service,” Shep said.

“Attached to the grading plant is a fast colour-image sorter, which means better quality grading results improve returns for everyone.

“We have invested heavily in yard equipment, and updating belts, drive-overs and associated equipment, all specifically to improve turnaround time within our yards.”

Shep said the company was continually keeping up-to-date with the latest seed varieties.

“Our continuous aim is to provide the best available agronomics for the farmer,” Shep said.

“We have state-of-the-art seed chemical application – offering better crop protection – and we source seed from a wide area to secure the highest germination, vigour and purity possible.”

During harvest, Shepherd Grain will operate Monday to Friday from 7am until 6pm, and weekends as required.

Shep said integrity and old-school, friendly service were principles deeply embedded at Shepherd Grain.

“We are a company where a handshake still means something – if we say we’ll do it, it will be done,” he said.

Shepherd Grain Moree: https://shepherdgrain.com.au/

Address: 122 Burrington Road, Moree

Email: [email protected]

Office: 0257 332822

John Shepherd: 0499 303303

Todd Jorgensen: 0418 823523

 

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