history

History

The Moorreesburg Grain Farmers Co-operative Association was created out of necessity. During World War I land prices were very high. When these prices fell, many a farmer was in a predicament as debt was incurred according to the high value of land. Fortunately the run of bad luck was assuaged by economic bloom that lasted from 1925 to 1928. On 25 September 1931 a group of 47 farmers decided to found a co-operative association. Mr J H Basson took the lead in negotiations and was elected chairman on 4 December 1931, with Mr J S Marais appointed as vice-chairman. On 1 July 1965 the association was converted to a co-operative henceforth known as Moorreesburg Grain Farmers Co-operative Limited, or MKB.

The cornerstone of a new head office building was laid on 28 September 1953 and the building officially inaugurated on 9 December 1953. In 1983 the building was expanded by adding new offices for senior management and a new board room. A self-service retail store was added on the ground floor. The retail department at Bergrivier was transferred to Velddrif in 1998 where a retail complex and petrol station were built.

The need for repairs to windmills, farming equipment and motor vehicles increased. A workshop was rented in Main Street to facilitate this service. The service proved so popular that a new workshop was built in 1946.

The depopulation of farms is clearly visible in the membership of MKB, from humble beginnings of 47 in 1931 to 2079 members in 1965, declining once again to 466 in 2008. Record crops were harvested in 1987, 1993, 1996 (more than 250 000 tons) and 2002 when more than 200 000 tons of wheat were received at MKB silos.

During the early years storage space was rented from various companies in Moorreesburg from where business was conducted. A seed cleaning initiative was started. Branches were opened at Koperfontein (1935) and at Koringberg (1936). More branches followed at Moravia (1943), Bergrivier (1944) and Langebaanweg (1948) where farming requisites were supplied and wheat could be received. The branch at Langebaanweg closed its doors in 1977. In 1953 a depot was opened at Leliedam. To avoid overlapping, agreements were reached with neigbouring co-operations as to where silo's were to be erected. In 1955 applications were submitted for the building of mass storage sheds at Moorreesburg, Koperfontein and Koringberg. However, silos could only be built by 1972. Over the years the silo capacity of MKB's silo's has been expanded and currently stands at 195 550 tons.

Canola, a popular oil seed from which cooking oil and margarine is manufactured, has been increasingly cultivated since 1995. This led to an oil press being established at Moorreesburg. In 2006 MKB and Southern Oil of Swellendam took over the Swartland Oliepers in Moorreesburg.

In 2000 a storage facility behind MKB's head office was converted into a conference facility, the Jan Basson Centre. The establishment of new industries was investigated and as a result a dog food plant, Petfood Caterers, was built in Moorreesburg.

May the words used by the Registrar of Co-operations in 1965 regarding the Co-operation ring true for many years to come. "From humble beginnings he has been blessed and has grown to be big and strong. The Moorreesburg Co-operation is like a big oak tree that started out as a little acorn of which the branches now offer service, peace and rest."

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