Our 2023 Year in Review

As we come to the end of another exciting year, our annual year in review is a great time to look back and be grateful for our progress and the achievements of our team. This year, just like previous years, has had its fair share of ups and downs.  This year saw us navigate through extreme weather, supply shortages, pimelea and so much more. But as we always do, we find a way to rise above and overcomes these challenges for both ourselves and our customers.

Aisthorpe Group 2023 Snapshot

Expansion of Smarter Nutrition

Following the acquisition of Soya Feeds by the Aisthorpe Group in 2022 Smarter Nutrition had continued further expansion producing a wide range of protein products including Full Fat Soya Meal, Corn Soy, Wheat Soy, Wheat Meal, and Cottonseed Meal for a range of customers from stockfeed manufacturers and individual farmers to feedlot operations. Our long-term plan for the site will see us running up to six separate manufacturing operations on the site.  This will include the manufacturing of multiple types of protein meals, a cottonseed-processing plant, a stockfeed mill for specialty rations, a grain-drying facility and transport depot for Aisthorpe Group companies.

Top Country

The expansion of Smarter Nutrition Dalby represents a significant leap forward for Top Country, providing an invaluable capability to procure essential raw ingredients that have proven challenging to source throughout the past decade. With this newfound capability, we anticipate achieving a heightened level of consistency to our rations.

Starting in early 2024 Top Country will be undergoing significant mill upgrades, including new bucket elevators, intake pit and more! These upgrades will lead to greater productivity and higher overall quality and service to our customers.

I am also excited to share that next year we will be celebrating 30 years since the establishment of Top Country, originally known as Roma Stockfeeds in 1994. It’s incredible to look back at we’ve achieved over the last three decades, and this upcoming year provides us with a unique opportunity to celebrate the milestones we’ve reached including the challenges and successes we’ve encountered along the way, which all contribute to our history.

Relocation of Smarter Nutrition Mannuem, Top Country Toowoomba & Smarter Rural

Part of the expansion of Soya Feeds saw the consolidation of all Aisthorpe Group manufacturing facilities and depots in the Darling Downs.  This included the relocation of the Rumenfibre processing plant, originally based at Mannueum and the Top Country depot at Toowoomba being moved to Dalby to centralise all Aisthorpe Group manufacturing operations in the Darling Downs.

Smarter Rural, which is responsible for the fabricated products sold by the Aisthorpe Group including covered feedas, dual chains and the ration runner, was also relocated to Dalby.

General

In addition to commodities shortages, the swift transition of seasons, a surge in order volume, and an uptick in average order sizes, saw us fill our current production schedule well until into 2024. We empathise and appreciate the cooperation of our customers during this time.

This year saw us attend major agricultural field days and conferences throughout Queensland including the RAAN conference on the Gold Coast.  We also proudly sponsored and attended multiple sale days, Gymkhana’s, and local shows.

Purchasing Officer Dakotah Stevenson celebrated 5 years’ service and our Feedmill Manager Anton Storch celebrated 10 years’ service with Top Country. These are remarkable milestones and we’re honoured to have both Dakotah and Anton as part of our team. Their hard work, enthusiasm, and passion for our company is an inspiration. Thank You!

The Aisthorpe Group have established themselves as industry leaders in livestock nutrition and feeding systems, and through our vision and innovation, will continue to drive the industry into the future.

To our staff, customers, and suppliers, thank you for being a part of our journey. We’re confident next year will be even better as we embark on the next exciting and ever evolving chapter.

We’ll see you all in 2024!

Stephen Aisthorpe

Managing Director – Aisthorpe Group