These are specialised in grain and oilseed production and characterised by more capital intensive techniques. The rationale for breaking up large farms with substantial machinery and other equipment was less obvious in these regions, and the existing managers were well placed to maintain operations. Large grain producers in these regions often have direct contracts with buyers overseas - either foreign traders or mills. Many large production units belong to so-called “agroholdings”, vertically integrated structures which incorporate farms, silos and processing plants and sometimes sea terminals.