Award-winning trade supplier Roxby Farm Supplies has built its reputation on providing high-quality biosecurity products at a time of vital industry need
Biosecurity has never been higher on the agenda than right now. With the stakes higher than ever amid the ongoing fight against avian flu, producers need every advantage they can get to ensure they keep their sites in the cleanest possible condition.
That’s why providers of equipment and expertise that can help are in high demand, and it’s perhaps no surprise therefore that livestock biosecurity expert Roxby Farm Supplies (RFS) was voted Trade Supplier of the Year by the industry at the 2024 National Egg & Poultry Awards. The firm, supported by its sister veterinary companies, offers a holistic approach to problem solving that combines a wide range of products with expertise and advice.
RFS’s office and warehouses are based in Easingwold, York, but the business operates throughout both the UK and Ireland. It developed as a standalone company in 2016, when a specialised farm veterinary practice recognised the need to bridge the gap between health planning and the practicalities of managing biosecurity on farms day to day. “Continued growth brought scale to the business as more and more farm businesses decided to access our focused independent technical advice about biosecurity and animal health supplies, and we are now a master distributor for many brands,” explains general manager Simon Rawson.
After graduating, Rawson had run his family farms and later founded a successful supply business that was subsequently acquired by another agricultural supply company. During his career he has worked in all aspects of the agricultural supply chain from production through to procurement, specialising in livestock production. He is supported in the office by Ellie Powlton, who has close contact with customers and also works in accounts and administration. “The back office team supports the sales team from our site in Easingwold and we benefit from the ability to draw on experienced pig and poultry fieldsmen and veterinary expertise from our sister companies as and when the need arises,” Rawson says.
The company offers a comprehensive product portfolio and expert services to protect
farmers’ investments, backed by professional, independent advice and technical support programmes. Its portfolio includes cleaning and disinfection products, water treatments, hygiene, rat bait and fly control, supplements, PPE and farm
sundries. Dosing control solutions, such as water pumps and medicators, also ensure that water quality on farm is the best that it can be to promote livestock health and wellbeing.
Unique proposition
RFS describes itself as providing a personalised “one-stop-shop for farmers”, connecting health plans with the practicalities of day-to-day farm biosecurity. In practice, Rawson explains, this means visiting farms and meeting with farmers, integrators and managers. “Independent advice and bespoke biosecurity programmes, along with dosing system installation and training, ensure robust and efficient biosecurity is achieved on farm,” he says. “And we don’t stop there as we offer ongoing support and review programmes and equipment installation on a regular basis.”
Rawson adds that RFS’ independent, bespoke advice is a unique selling point for the business, and that as it knows its customers and their farms so well, it can recommend the most suitable products and dosing solutions, tailored to the farm’s individual needs.
Expanding on the theme, Rawson believes the integrated model of RFS makes the company unique. “Working with farmers to implement programmes means that our cleaning and disinfection, hygiene, rodent and fly control, and water system protocols are efficient and promote the very best health and welfare for livestock,” he says. “Supporting farmers to install and use equipment, such as water systems, ensures accurate dosing and the reduction of biofilm in the water lines. Because of our independent advice, farmers can be confident that pathogen load is reduced and their investment is protected. The ability to call on support from our sister companies is also unique.”
Rawson says the RFS team is proud of its organic growth and reputation in the livestock
sector, and that remaining a trusted supplier with a comprehensive portfolio and competitive pricing is key to its success. “We always strive to service our customers with technical advice and products best suited on farm, and we stock a huge range to enable us to do just that,” he continues. “RFS must maintain and build on its expert services to ensure that we continue to be highly regarded and trusted in the livestock sector.”
Expanding the offer
In October 2024, the company expanded when it merged with Farm Mix, another independently owned business operating out of the same location to the north of York.
Farm Mix connects pharma, mills and farms and is a leading supplier of in-feed medicated premixes, feed additives and supplements to the UK feed industry. The company also provides bespoke storage and logistics solutions and acts as a pre-wholesaler for a number of pharmaceutical companies, servicing the feed industry, pig and poultry integrators and many livestock producers directly.
“The breadth of knowledge and experience brought about by the amalgamation of these two operations is unrivalled in the industry,” Rawson says. “The directors of both companies immediately recognised the opportunities afforded by combining skill sets and infrastructure. The integration will be a gradual process and customers can rest assured that it will remain business as usual.”
Latest innovations
Rawson says RFS stays abreast of new products and trends in the livestock sector so that the products it recommends are best suited on farm. “For example, we have our own specially formulated electrolytes to keep birds hydrated and to thrive, boosting overall feed conversion,” he notes.
Among its latest innovations, at a time when temperatures are rising as we move into summer, Rox-Solulyte and Rox-Vigo are described as trusted solutions during stressful times and represent an affordable solution for bird wellbeing. Rox-Solulyte is an electrolyte blend including citric acid to add palatability, and has been specially blended to not only encourage birds to stand, drink and eat but to also help maintain a strong immune system and help with increasing growth rates and efficiency in feed conversion. Rox-Vigo, meanwhile, is a palatable syrup used to increase energy production and metabolic function during stressful periods. The product helps restore and stimulate digestive functions.
RFS may be less than a decade old, but with continued expansion and the recent merger under its belt, it has high hopes for what it can achieve in the years ahead. “We will continue to grow organically and to offer the very best independent technical advice to suit farm needs, combined with products that are the best in class and affordable,” Rawson says. “Because we work closely with manufacturers and suppliers, we will continue to promote portfolios which farmers can trust. Slow growth is always the best way to ensure that service levels are maintained.”
For the company, winning the NEP award was “a huge privilege”, Rawson says, describing the team as “elated” at the success. “Having the industry vote for Roxby Farm Supplies is a massive boost and means that our hard work and advice is valued,” he adds. “But we will not rest on our laurels. We will continue to deliver the very best technical service, advice and product portfolio to support the livestock sector.”