Following the success of its Meet the Processor and Meet the Exporter events, HGCA is encouraging growers to join them at one of 14 events already planned for spring 2014.

The initiative, which is open to participation from all processors, this year includes visits to three millers, a feed mill, three maltsters and seven exporter sites.

"The overriding aim of the events is to encourage open dialogue and better understanding between growers, processors and exporters," explained Roz Reynolds, HGCA's Head of Marketing. "At our previous events, the conversations between the hosts and growers have established a greater trust in the supply chain."

Jonathan Tipples, HGCA Chairman added: "This will be the third year HGCA has run the events, and as word has spread, more processors and exporters have come forward to take part, offering up their senior staff to meet growers and explain how their operations work.

"These events enable growers to gain a better understanding of why certain technical specifications have to be met – and also how processors manage in years like 2012 when grain quality was relatively poor."

This year’s initiative offers the chance to see modern milling machinery, cereal and seed laboratories, test bakeries, export depots and maltings in action.

To book, visit hgca.com/events or contact HGCA Events on 024 7647 8724 or 024 7647 8726.

Please note that, due to limited places, the events are for cereals growers only. Places are also on a first come, first served basis, and attendance is at the discretion of individual hosts.

Meet the Processor and Meet the Exporter dates 2014:

Millers

• · 18 March - EB Bradshaw & Sons Limited, Driffield, East Yorkshire
• · 20 March - FWP Matthews, Chipping Norton, Oxon
• · 29 April - Whitworth Bros Ltd, Wellingborough, Northants

Maltsters

• · 13 March - Boortmalt, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
• · 3 April - Molson Coors, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire
• · 10 April - Warminster Maltings, Warminster, Wiltshire

Feed Mill

• · 8 April - Crediton Milling, Devon

Exporters

• · 30 April – Fengrain & Openfield, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
• · 6 May - Frontier, Southampton, Hampshire
• · 8 May - Glencore Grain, Tilbury, Essex
• · 12 May - Openfield, Portbury, Avon
• · 14 May - Nidera, Ipswich, Suffolk
• · 15 May – Bartholomews, Shoreham, West Sussex
• · 20 May – Wessex Grain, Poole, Dorset