Feed ease coming for farmers

Farmers could soon see a significant reduction in their feed bills as the Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) and Pinnacle Feeds collaborate on a new retail project that promises to offer poultry and livestock feed at lower prices.

President of the BAS, Henderson Williams, who also heads the organisation’s pork commodity group, revealed that plans are underway to establish a retail shop at the BAS headquarters in The Grotto, St Michael, in 2026, where farmers will be able to purchase feed from Pinnacle at a reduced rate.

Speaking during the BAS annual general meeting held over the weekend at the Radisson Aquatica Resort, Williams said the initiative was being developed to give farmers a much-needed lifeline amid rising input costs. 

“If all goes according to plan, the BAS will be retailing feed from Pinnacle at a reduced rate from next year,” he said.

Head of Commercial at Pinnacle Feeds, Karis-Ann Rhoden-Gordon, confirmed the development and said the company was committed to helping farmers access feed at more affordable prices. 

“We have not formalised the details of it, but certainly we have started the discussions to see how we can perhaps supply the retail outlets for another price, a better price, so that the farmers can get access to this,” Rhoden-Gordon said.

She explained that while Pinnacle Feeds already operated a farm and pet store at their feed manufacturing facility, the company was also willing to lend their expertise to the BAS to help establish and manage its retail operations. 

“What we do is not only feed, but we do all farm supplies and also pet supplies as well, so we have a lot of experience in how to monitor and manage a retail store as it relates to the farmers. 

“If we can also lend that expertise and that knowledge to the BAS to help them get started as well, we’re definitely open to do that,” Rhoden-Gordon said.

She admitted that while the collaboration was still in the exploratory stage, its main goal was to assist local farmers. 

“Special prices mean a price that the farmer would benefit from, because like I said, whatever we’re doing has to be something that would impact the farmers positively. That’s our main purpose,” she said.

Beyond the retail partnership, Rhoden-Gordon said Pinnacle Feeds was looking at other ways it could work with the BAS to support the farming community.

She said this included improving the offerings at Agrofest, the BAS’s signature event, by sponsoring a cook-off competition and promoting it regionally. 

“We’ve been having quarterly seminars with a veterinary consultant. We had one last month where we focused on heat stress.

“We want to give the farmers tools that they can use in a simple format that can help them sustain their business as well,” Rhoden-Gordon said.

“We continue to invest in quality nutrition, farmer support that helps improve livestock performance, and overall just to strengthen food security across the island. We want to remain dedicated and continue to work together with the BAS to advance local agriculture, just ensuring that the Barbadian farmers remain productive.”