Clean Field Services (CFS) has been in business since 2003 when Dennis Frey started his own custom applicator business.
CFS is owned by Dennis and Laurie Frey and is located on Concession 8 just west of Wellington Road 12.
Dennis started with one small self-propelled sprayer and a couple employees. Now running with three sprayers and a larger staff, CFS continues to give its 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 getting the company’s name out there. 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 farmers have expressed a need for crop care. Also, CFS is always trying new things 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 their soybean plot.
The CFS sprayer fleet consists of two John Deere 4830s (one stationed at Earlton) and two RoGator RG 1100s. The JD has an 18-inch lift kit that raises it to six feet, six inches making it capable of applying fungicide on corn at the tasseling stage without causing damage to the plant. The RoGators have 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.
Gary Kuper and Dennis both are certified crop advisors as well as nutrient management consultants. Craig Martin and Perry Martin are also full-time staff. They are licensed operators and take care of the equipment and seed delivery.
Darcy Martin is the company’s newest employee. He 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 Centre Peel School.
Craig Martin and his fiance Jennifer will be moving to Earlton this season. From there, Craig will run the northern operation.
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 longtime 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 Barb run a farm on the 3rd of Maryborough where they raise hogs and broilers. They are active participants in Drayton Minor Hockey and the 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 CFS is open from 7:30am until the work is done.
“We are a family-owned business who take pride in taking care of our customers’ needs and keeping their crops as healthy and weed free as possible,” say the Freys.
Anyone in need of seed, fertilizer, soil sampling, nutrient management planning, crop spraying or crop care of any kind contact CFS at cleanfld@hsfx.ca or at 519-638-3457.
