Our Vision & Story | Croker Grain

    Our Vision & Story

    “Small enough to care – big enough to deliver”

    MISSION STATEMENT

    Croker Grain are leaders in Grain marketing. Croker Grain aims to be well known for truthfulness to our clients.  We achieve this by continuous improvement in all areas of our business and by adding value for our clients.

    VISION

    Croker Grain want to be a continued leader in a diverse range of services including commodity trading, logistics and storage in the grain industry.

    Croker Grain facilitates the relationship between local farmers and the world’s leading food manufactures.  

    We continue to build a reputation based upon reliability and honesty, by exceeding our client’s expectation.

    As a company we have the skills, knowledge and flexibility to adapt to industry changes and demand for quality product.

    By wholly personalising our services, with a commitment and promptness to our client’s needs to continue to add value to our and their products and services.

    OBJECTIVES

    - Matters of environmental conservation and community interest.

    - A focus on excellence of people, products and performance by providing job enrichment, a safe working environment and scope for creativity.

    - To pursue domestic & export business opportunities for logistics, handling and storage systems.

    - To observe efficient and ethical business practices.

    - To provide an efficient & lest cost handling, storage and marketing service for annual grain harvests in the Riverina of New South Wales.

    - Open communication

    From smaller beginnings in 1973, we've seen it all.  We like to think this extensive experience layers our business with expert knowledge, not only within industry, but also in business functionality.  Over the past ‘forty plus’ years, we have transformed, grown and innovated to the prominent and respected company it is today.

    ‘Small enough to care’ is a sentiment from our company motto.  It is demonstrated genuinely and proudly, we have a big heart for our community.  Continuing to connect with our clients - our team, personally know our local farmers.  We believe this reflects our strong values, which demonstrate authentic business relationships.  Furthermore, we proudly involve ourselves with local sporting clubs, show associations, rotary and various committees, both in active participation and financial support.

    ‘Small enough to care’ also ensures that we remain in touch and accessible to our growers, yet the words ‘Big enough to deliver’ which completes our motto, displays that we proudly hold an ideal position within the marketplace to be your number one choice.

    Our team place truthfulness as a top priority.  Authenticity is embedded in our culture and it is through this philosophy, that we believe we’ve earned a healthy reputation, one that is based on reliability and honesty.  Our confidence and ability to serve with demonstrated industry knowledge, place Croker Grain at the forefront of our game.  We want to work with you.

    Connecting quality grain to both national and international buyers, we expertly facilitate and enable the efficient transition process from ‘paddock to plate’.

    Croker Grain

     

     

    • The Early Years

      Company founders were Max Croker and Brian Bartlett, the original office was shared with the General Accident Insurance Co in Fitzmaurice Street, Wagga Wagga, next door to Blake's Stock and Station Agents.

      M C CROKER P/L was incorporated the 5th of April 1973.

      For the first couple of years, Max operated as a sole trader, trading mainly oats and barley to feed mills and malt houses in Sydney and Melbourne and some chaff from Logan & Hitchens at Ganmian into produce stores in Brisbane. In the 1970's the wheat industry was highly regulated and was illegal to trade on the domestic or export market.

    • 1975

      In May Max employed his first full time employee, Greg Carroll, who after a few years became a partner.

    • 1978

      M C Croker acquired its first grain storage on Lake Albert Rd Wagga Wagga from Bunge Australia; it had storage capacity of 2500 tonnes mainly storing malting and feed barley on behalf of the Barley Marketing Board of NSW.

    • 1979

      M C Croker increased storage capacity by 6000 tonnes when the company leased and moved office to the Murrumbidgee Flour Mill in Wagga Wagga. With this extra capacity the company built a relationship with companies such as Uncle Toby's, Bunge Feeds and Ingham Chickens handling mainly oats, lupins and barley.

    • 1980 - 82

      With increased producer support throughout the area our business continue to grow, trading milling oats, feed oats, barley, wheat, ryecorn, triticale and lupins. Over this period of time the company increased its work force to six employees.
      During the drought of 1982, the company purchased the AFL fertiliser agency from John and Vera McKelvie at Marrar. Upon reflection this was one of the great turning points of the business.
      the overwhelming support received from the Marrar and Coolamon farming community has been a huge part of the company's success.

    • 1983

      With continued support from the local farming community Croker's constructed a grain and fertiliser depot at Marrar with 6000 tonne capacity of grain storage and 700 tonne of fertiliser storage. This storage complex was built to service malting and feed barley for the Barley Marketing Board of NSW and wheat for Bunge Feeds and Ingham Enterprises as well as cropping fertiliser distribution depot for Australian Fertiliser Limited.

    • 1984

      Further expansion occurred when the company purchased the Stratton Flour Mill at Cootamundra from Clifford Love & Co (then the manufacturer of Uncle Toby's Rolled Oats). The Mill has been a great acquisition to the company because of its storage layout with a 40-bin segregation and a total capacity of 12,500 tonnes. The storage was mainly filled with milling oats and feed Oats (Cooba Oats being the main variety). In recent years the Mill has received most grains, oilseeds and pulses. Croker's relocated its Wagga Office to 25 Gurwood Street as the lease on the Murrumbidgee Flour Mill in Wagga Wagga expired.

    • 1985

      M C Croker became a commission agent for Continental Grain, to contract rapeseed for their oilseed crushing plant in Sydney. Continental through M C Croker gave backup support to growers to expand the rapeseed production, by offering agronomy advise, local storage delivery and GMP contracts with an act of god clause. This was the start of a great business relationship. M C Croker was the first grain handler to store rapeseed on a commercial basis in New South Wales.

    • 1985 - 89

      Company saw a number of major changes and opportunties in the grain industry. The conola industry contined to grow and the deregulation of the domestic wheat market . This enabled the business to provide services to a wider band of end users, companies like Weston Milling and Bunge feeds ( who remain strong supporters of the business today). With the increased usage of grain in the pig, dairy and beef industry saw a need to expand grain storage capacity at Marrar by 2500 tonnes in 1988. 

    • 1990

      Sold storage depot on Lake Albert Road, Wagga Wagga.

    • 1991

      Purchased grain store at Coolamon which was establish by the Mutton Family whom were major players in the cereal chaff industry. Storage capacity of 5000 tonne.

    • 1992

      Erected new weighbridge, office block and 250 tonne bulk fertiliser storage at the Coolamon depot.

    • 1993

      Purchased and relocated office to 45 Gurwood Street, Wagga Wagga. Graincorp silo at Ladysmith is leased for storage (has 4000 tonnes capacity).

    • 1994

      Drought year. A lupin-dehulling plant was constructed at the Cootamundra site with milling capacity of 10 tonne per hour, to supply lupin protein meal to Ingham Enterprises for their poultry feeds. Continental Grain sells its oilseed crushing plants and business in Australia to Cargill. Croker's becomes commission agents for Cargill Oilseeds for canola.

    • 1995

      Max Croker retires and sells his interest in the business

    • 1996

      The company formed a relationship with the Dart family to establish a storage depot at Griffith to service the Uncle Toby's Co (in contracting milling oats).

    • 1997

      Croker's were appointed commission agent for Agracorp Pty Ltd the trading arm of the Grain Pool of Western Australia. This appointment was to accumulate and service albus lupins in New South Wales for the Middle East export market.

    • 1998

      Croker's constructed 14,000 tonne of bunker storage at the Marrar depot to increase overall storage capacity of Marrar to 24,000 tonne. The Rock was leased from Aussie Cereals to store triticale and milling oats (with a capacity of 4000 tonnes). We exported 1st shipment of Albus lupin to Egypt 5000 tonnes

    • 1999

      Purchased grain store at Ladysmith from Graincorp, Ladysmith depot is used predominantly to service Hannan Livestock Group owners of the Ladysmith feedlot.

    • 2000

      Conducted farming study tour of Canada, USA and UK with local producers. Our 1st export cargo of Albus lupins to Europe. (18,000 tonnes)

    • 2001

      Commence construction on pelletising plant at Cootamundra. The plant was built to produce fibre pellets for the beef and dairy industries in Korea. Changed fertiliser supplier to Summit Fertiliser from Incitec Limited in which the company had association with for 19 years.

    • 2002

      Completed construction and commenced manufacturing and shipment of fibre pellet for export to Korea. Delivered our first lupin meal for the aquaculture industry into Japan and Tasmania. It was a drought year.

    • 2003

      M C Croker celebrates 30 years of business. The worst drought in 100 years continues. Croker's imports lupins and feed oats from Western Australia to the Cootamundra Mill. Purchased in May 8000 tonne of grain storage from Sunrice at Widgelli ( 10 km east of Griffith.)

    • 2004

      Drought continues, very poor harvest yields and high screenings grain. Move company head office from Wagga Wagga to Marrar. Erected 4 x 1300 tonnes silos at Widgelli and increased Marrar grain bunker storage by 4000 tonne. Cootamundra Mill storage and milling areas were upgraded with the construction of 12 x 125 tonnes silos.

    • 2005

      Drought continues driest six months on record, receive good rain in mid June,spring rains are good and the year ends with above average crops. Finish upgrade on pellet mill at Cootamundra with the installation of new boiler, cooling tower, hammermill and product handling equipment. Become Hifert fertiliser dealers. Spring was very soft which helped late crops. Harvest yields were average around 3.5 to 4.0 tonnes to the hectare for wheat.

    • 2006

      Drought continues, worst harvest on record. Most crops averaged 2 bags per acre (350kg per hectare). Grain quality very good. Total grain received in Marrar, Coolamon and Ladysmith was 490 tonnes. Built new intake system on silos at Widgelli. Cootamundra mill starts 24 hour per day operation. Deregulation of the export wheat container market. Australia's largest oat miller Uncle Toby appoints Croker Grain as one of their preferred suppliers. Change trading name at Cootamundra to Conqueror Milling Company.

    • 2007

      Drought continues. (The year of farmer contract washouts) We thought 2006 was bad but 2007 found another new low in crop production. With 65% of the crop in southern New South Wales was cut for hay. Crop production yields were no better then half tonne per hectare. Shipped and trucked grain from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria and Northern NSW. Low feed demand because of farmer animal restocking. Packed our first lot of wheat in containers for export.

    • 2008

      Good summer rain gave some hope for the coming year. Average rainfall for the first half of the year but the last half was very disappointing with well below average rainfall in the spring. The top half of NSW had above rainfall and they had an above average harvest. Yields in our area were a lot better then last year with production on average 1 to 1.50 tonne per hectare. Marrar, Ladysmith and Cootamundra grain storage were filled to capacity but Griffith storage was disappointing because of the lack of production from the area. Wheat price hit $500 per tonne on farm during year. Ladysmith 8000 head feedlot stops feeding cattle. World finance markets crash.

    • 2009

      The first five months of the year we only received 80mm rainfall and that set the scene for the rest of the year, Yields again were below local average .Total rainfall for the year at Marrar was 350mm same as 2008.

    • 2010

      Drought breaks in the autumn. The Fleming family sells its shares in the company. Andrea (nee Carroll) & Simon Nimmo become shareholders in the business. Company enters into management arrangement for the 36,000 tonne Marrar grain storage facility on behalf of Graincorp. Constructed shipping container park at the Marrar rail yard. Leased 7000 tonne of storage from Graincorp at Ganmain. Purchased first shipping container forklift for Marrar Container Park. Established a rail service from Marrar to Melbourne with Patrick Portlink with a service five days per week. First rail service was dispatched in December. Company employees increase from 9 to 20 staff members. Locust plague in the spring but crops were harvested before too much damage. Record harvest intake for the company just over 100,000 tonnes. Record oat year with 40,000 tonnes received into storage at harvest. 840 mm rainfall for the year. Wet harvest with 300 mm of rain during October, November & December.

    • 2011

      January loaded 11,000 tonnes of oats on a ship ex Geelong for South Africa on behalf of CBH. Very bad Mice plague in the autumn and winter. Major damage to crops, grain stocks and plant. The mice at night were like a raging river. Purchased second shipping container forklift as well as Ausmech container packer with the capacity of 5 tonnes per minute. Packed over 4000 shipping containers of grain for export from Marrar, Cootamundra & Widgelli. Wet harvest with a large quantity of wheat had been downgraded to feed.

    • 2012

      Record rainfall and floods in February / March. Widgelli Grain Storage was saved from flood waters with the building of levy bank to protect it from the Mirrool Creek. First Export of Faba Bean Meal into Japan for Aquaculture from the Mill at Cootamundra. Constructed new conveyor for silos at Marrar. Consigned first direct parcels of grain into China and Vietnam. We Continued with container packing service with 4000 containers packed for the year. Purchased house next to Widgelli storage shed.

    • 2013

      Company enjoys 40 years in business. Erected new container packing shed at Marrar. Company became shareholder in grain container packing facility in Melbourne called Grainpac. The season turned out a bit below average after an excellent start during the winter. Major late frost damage occurred to crops at the end of the growing year. October & November saw below average rainfall.

    • 2014

      Very hot temperature for the start of the year with a record of amount of the days above 40C. Conqueror Milling Co shipped its first lot of dairy pellets into New Zealand. Croker's expanded out Marrar bunker site by 20,000 tonnes with erecting 4 x 5000 bunkers. The Wettern Family's grain storage complex at Henty was purchased; it has a capacity of 18,000 tonnes. Similarly, a small irrigation farm at Widgelli was purchased for potential future expansion for our storage capacity in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Research work commenced for Nestle in Singapore and Australia with malt barley for Milo production. The Graincorp Marrar storage complex was leased with capacity of 36,000 tonnes. 2 x 1250 tonnes silos at Conqueror Mill were erected. Harvest in the area was slightly below average. Pulses and Oat yields were the most effected by lack of finishing rains.

    • 2015

      Very good winter rainfall throughout the Riverina, with large parts of Victoria very dry. Harvest was very good in Riverina region with above average yield; especially barley. Our new computer software AGRIS was installed into the business. A new Nufab grain cleaner from Geraldton in Western Australia was also purchased to clean malt barley for Nestle Milo. In February we commenced supplying cleaned malt barley into the Nestle Smithtown Milo factory. Trials continued of barley into Nestle Singapore. Milling oats exported direct to end users in China and Malaysia. Export grain container packing program was extremely busy in the last few months of the year. Greg Carroll clocks up 40 years service with in the business.

    • 2016

      Brian Bartlett & Des Fleming the founding partners with Max Croker passed away in March and December at the age of 82 & 87 respectfully. we received record rainfall throughout most regions of Australia with major flooding in September in the Riverina. We completed construction of the 2500 tonne grain cleaning and container packing complex at Marrar. Australia produces 33 million tonne of wheat the largest on record. Prices for all grains very depressing with barley, oats, faba beans and lupins hitting 12 year lows. Company breaks record harvest receivals. We leased 10,000 tonnes of grain storage from Graincorp at Garoolgan to accommodate the large oat crop. The grain quality was very good especially oats.

    • 2017

      Very hot & dry start to the year with rainfall well below average for the 1st half of the year, We purchased grain storage complex at Berrigan which was previously owned by Howard Martin & Co. Commenced manufacturing birdseed from Berrigan location. Company exported 15,000 tonnes of oats into China. In July the company exported its first shipment of clean oats into South Korea. Staff visits customers in Malaysia & India. In August, Damian Moloney, Jason McPherson and Alistair Pennington became shareholders in our company. Company sells Ladysmith grain storage and Widgelli farm and buys land at Marrar next to bunker site.We upgraded container forklift for Marrar container yard. Grainpac packs 150,000 tonnes of grain in export shipping containers from the Melbourne facility.  

    • 2018

      Marrar received 324 millimetres of rain for the year well down on average. The telling issue with the crops is that the region only received between 30 to 50 mls rain from July to October. 2018 was the warmest temperatures on record for NSW. Planning and 1st stage of construction of the Marrar Silo and bunker project commenced with 80% of the project completed just before harvest. All Grain prices were at historical values with wheat trading at $430 to $450 and canola $630-$650 per tonne delivered local depots. Mid November Chinese Government put a shockwave through the Australian barley industry with allegations of Australian company’s discount or dumping barley into the Chinese market. The announcement made Barley drop in price up to $40 to $50 per tonne over night also bring other grain commodities down as well. The Company committed to a long-term lease for the Marrar Rail siding for loading shipping containers on to rail.

    • 2019

      The dry continued in 2019 with Marrar receiving yearly total of 327 millimeters of the year with only reciveing 48 mls from Auqust to October. Total rainfall for NSW was the lowest on record-55% below average. Narrarndera Airport received 239mm for the year. Victoria had an above average grain growing year but NSW & Qld had a very tough year. Yields and quality were poor and well below average. For the first time the company’s history we where actively buying and storing grain in Victoria at harvest time. Grain & Pellet demand for on farm feeding was at all time high with our sister company Conqueror Milling operating 24 hours a day 7 days week to keep up with the demand for stockfeed pellets. Lamb & Cattle prices contined to very good. In March we shipped 9000 tonnes of milling oats from the port of Albany to Geelong then delivered to Uncle Toby’s at Wahgunyah.The Federal Government issued  import permits for wheat from Canada for use in the flour milling industry. The Marrar Silo & Bunker project development was completed which increased the Marrar storage capicity by 40,000 tonnes. In Sepetember we where honoured by the presents of Deputy Prime Minister Micheal McCormack who official opened the Marrar Silo & Bunker project. Chinese government postphones its announcement anti Barley dumping tariff untill May 2020.