By CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
COBDEN — A plot tour and open house will be held at Millar a week today, Thursday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The plot tour is on-site and allows customers to see the growth performance of their crops from the seeds they sell.
As for the open house, it’s an opportunity to meet the new owners, said Terry Millar, a former owner of Millar Feed and Seed.
Yes, former owner, because as of last Friday, July 31, Millar Feed and Seed no longer exists.
It’s now known as Millar, and it’s owned by MacEwen Agricentre of Maxville. The well-established business is at the corner of Turcotte Road and Highway 17.
In early April, the Millar brothers, Rob and Terry, sent a letter to customers advising the business was sold, however, the final paperwork had yet to be completed.
Tuesday afternoon, Terry said, “We officially sold the business to MacEwen on Friday.”
The brothers agreed it was time to consider their retirement and with no children who are involved in the business, decided now is the time to sell after 33 years. The two will remain with the new company, as will the current 15 employees, Terry said.
There should be no noticeable changes in the business, but the customers should see a better service.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Rob said, noting there will be an investment in rolling stock, equipment and services provided.
from front
Services were already improved with the temporary fertilizer storage and blending facility brought in earlier this year.
However, there will be a much larger fertilizer blending and storage facility, he said.
Erich Beugger, operations manager for MacEwen, said there is always room for improvement, and at Millar, there will be more service as well as more modern equipment.
He encourages people to come to the open house and check out some of the new equipment, such as sprayers and floaters, and meet company representatives.
“The local growers will have better service,” Mr. Beugger said. “There will be fast, efficient service.”
However what there won’t be is surprises, Terry said. Business will carry on for the area farmers as usual, but they will see improvements.
Mr. Beugger noted MacEwen’s will provide all the services a farmer will require, from learning the best ways to grow their crops, the seeds to purchase, the equipment to make it better and an agronomist to answer any questions regarding seed and crop health.
It will be a one-stop shop for farmers, he noted.
There will be two guest speakers at the open house on Thursday. Agronomist Clare Kinlin of MacEwen will talk on plant health at 11:30 a.m. followed by Aaron Bowman of Pride Seeds.
Jim MacEwen, owner of MacEwen Agricentre, will also be at the event to meet those attending.
There will be beef and pork on a bun and “baked beans until they run out” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., noted Terry.
