Clean Field Services has been in business since 2003 when Dennis Frey left a larger company he had worked for to start his own custom applicator business.
CFS, owned by Dennis and Laurie Frey, is located on Concession 8 just west of County Road 12. The business started with one small self-propelled sprayer and a couple employees. Now running his own business, Dennis is able to give his customers the attention and expertise they need to keep their fields as clean as possible. The company has since expanded into seed and liquid fertilizer sales, nutrient management planning, soil sampling and crop recommendations.
As with all new businesses the first years were challenging, just building up a clientele and promoting the new company in the community. Crop care is a constantly-challenging profession, as weeds and insects can provide different challenges from year to year.
New projects for CFS include an expansion of the company in the New Liskeard area, where some of the farmers have expressed a need for crop care. Also, CFS is always trying new techniques in their corn and soybean plots, recently experimenting with strip till, deep placed fertilizer in fall application, twin row planting in corn and soys and multiple foliar feeding in our soybean plot. Last year CFS upgraded its fleet with a new JD 4830 and a new Ro-gator 1100. Both these machines have 100’ boom width. The Spra-Coupe with an 80’ boom is handy for smaller fields. The JD has an 18” lift kit that raises it to 6’, 6”, which makes it capable of applying fungicide on corn at the tasseling stage without causing damage to the plant. The new Ro-gator has a set of wide flotation tires to reduce compaction and ruts in pre-plant/pre-emerge applications.
In addition to owners Dennis and Laurie Frey, CFS office staff includes agronomist Gary Kuper and nutrient management consultant Gary Van Ankum. Dennis and Gary Kuper are both certified crop advisors, as well as nutrient management consultants. Craig Martin and Perry Martin, also full time staff, are licensed operators and take care of the equipment and seed delivery. Darcy Martin is the company’s newest employee who is also a licensed operator. There are also additional seasonal employees.
The Freys are active members of the Moorefield Mennonite Fellowship. Dennis has been on council at Center Peel School. He is also on the steering committee for Trees For Mapleton.
Gary Van Ankum and his wife Sherry Ann own a farm on the 16th of Peel where they cash crop and finish hogs. Gary is a long-time member of the Drayton Kinsmen and is part of the Drayton Reformed Church praise band. He is also on the steering committee for Trees for Mapleton.
Gary Kuper and his wife operate a farm on the 3rd of Maryborough. They are active participants in Drayton Minor Hockey and Drayton Figure Skating Club.
CFS supports various causes in the community as well as the Drayton Fall Fair and the Drayton Farm Show.
CFS is open year round Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm. In season they are open from 7:30am until dark.
“We are a family-owned business and take pride in taking care of our customer’s needs and keeping their crops as healthy and weed free as possible. If you’re in need of seed, fertilizer, soil sampling, nutrient management planning, crop spraying or crop care of any kind contact us at cleanfld@hsfx.ca or at 519-638-3457.”
