October 2019 - Rainer Irrigation - 30 years of making it rain

30 OF MAKING IT

YEARS

RAIN Community

certainty and

Call the experts on 03 307 9049 Cnr Robinsons & McNally Street, Ashburton Email admin@rainer.co.nz www.rainer.co.nz

growth

ADVERTISING FEATURE

1955

Briggs Brothers

2

Ashburton Guardian

Ealey tractor mounted ditch cleaner

to

1965

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

Rainer Irrigation

Briggs Family 3

Forward thinking 4–5

Farming roots 6–8

Our team 9 – 12

Pre-Season Pop 13

Make the most of our land 14 – 15

Rainer Irrigation feature is a complimentary supplement produced by the Ashburton Guardian Editorial Linda Clarke

FOR EFFLUENT PUMPS, STIRRERS, SEPARATORS PLUS LOCAL KNOW-HOW

Rainer IIrrigation Ltd proud member of the is a prou

Designer Yendis Albert

WRIGHTS DRYCLEANERS

Locals looking after

Locals

RAINER IRRIGATION LTD Phone: 03 307 9049

www.yardmaster.co.nz

Proud to look after Rainer Irrigation’s drycleaning and laundry needs You can’t go wrong with Wrights

8 Grey Street | Phone 03 307 8360 | www.wrightsdrycleaners.co.nz

Congratulations

to Rainer Irrigation for 30 years in business.

0800 2 redpaths redpaths.co.nz

1957 to

1987

Sheep dipping

1976

KE IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

Briggs Irrigation started selling Rotorainers

Rainer Irrigation

Ashburton Guardian

Briggs family CONTRIBUTING TO THE ASHBURTON COMMUNITY FOR OVER 60 YEARS.

A

shburton has boomed on the back of irrigation.

Back in the early 1970s, a severe drought reinforced to Mid Canterbury farmers that rain from the skies was simply not enough.

Irrigation was the answer if they wanted their businesses to be resilient and profitable.

Rainer Irrigation has been part of a remarkable greening of the district over the decades since – borderdyke flooding has given way to spray irrigation that delivers water to crops and pasture only as it is needed thanks to new technology that senses soil moisture.

Over 30 years, Rainer Irrigation has focused on community, certainty and growth for all, and the resulting increase in farm production has had a flowon effect to the district.

Population is around 33,000 and growing, and the town has a state-of-the art event centre and sporting complex, and a new heritage centre has a special permanent display honouring the story of irrigation.

It’s been a hell of a ride, says the Briggs family.

ONE NAME FOR IRRIGATION Whether you are looking for a sustainable irrigation advantage or to maximise the potential of your existing system, there is only one name you need to know – Zimmatic®.

Zimmatic® irrigators have been servicing farmers around the world for over 50 years. Add Zimmatic® Precision VRI’s ability for delivering water exactly where it is required and FieldNET® remote management and scheduling options, and you have the most advanced and proven irrigation technology available globally.

Contact your Zimmatic® dealer today, they will work with you to save time and money, boost production yields, and meet your compliance requirements.

Find your Zimmatic® dealer at www.ZimmaticANZ.com or phone 0800 438 627.

ZIMMATIC® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE LINDSAY CORPORATION. © 2019 LINDSAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

3

1989 4

Ashburton Guardian

Rainer Irrigation was established – April 17, 1989

1990

24 staff

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

Rainer Irrigation

Forward thinking

By Lucas Cawte A born and bred Mid Cantabrian, I remember the summer Sunday drives in the country consisting of mile after mile of gorse hedges, burned yellow roadsides and sheep by the thousand.

A landscape not that far removed from how the runholders saw it 100 years earlier.

Fast forward to 2019 – the community’s reliance on farming remains unchanged, but the landscape and how it is farmed has changed dramatically. We have been in the industry 30 years and, although the fundamentals of the industry are the same, the way we go about it has seen considerable change with the advancement and availability of technology.

Political, climatic and environmental pressures are just some of the issues affecting and driving change within our industry at the moment. As a company we have always provided bespoke solutions to our clients’ problems

using the best practice and technology available at the time. We consider ourselves early adopters of new technology. We continue to prioritise training with all our staff to ensure we remain at the forefront of the industry and able to provide the most futureproofed solutions for all our clients.

The environmental pressures on the irrigation and farming industries are currently having the greatest impact and they won’t go away anytime soon.

We have seen an international shift in environmental consciousness with a distinct trend to the sustainable.

Most influential companies and multinationals are positioning themselves accordingly. In recent times we have seen the banning of plastic bags, widespread adoption of electric cars and solar power all driven on the back of the environmental steam-roller! The political machine will perpetuate these as a vehicle to votes.

Closer to home we are hearing a lot about farm environmental plans, nutrient management and clean

rivers. These and other initiatives will continue to provide challenges for farmers and reliant businesses.

The upside will be the resulting innovation that follows to ensure the sustainability and viability of our farming businesses, our rural communities and our economy. As a result, fertigation, variable rate irrigation, sub surface irrigation and soil monitoring are already on the upswing showing increased uptake and enquiry. Looking further forward, vertical farming, synthetic meat and blockchain agriculture are already just some of the new widely-used terms in the agriculture industry. Although they may be some years off widespread adoption, we have to remain aware of the pros and cons they possess for our industry.

The irrigation industry is relatively new in the scheme of things and has now proved itself as a staple for Canterbury and New Zealand farmers with widespread irrigation development across the country.

It has proven itself a sound career move for those employed within it and it will continue to be the lifeblood of New Zealand agriculture.

ASHBURTON’S OLDEST FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED PAINTING BUSINESS

FOR OVER 65 YEARS

Specialising in • Interior and exterior decorating alterations • Airless spraying

• • • •

Wallpapering Waterblasting Plastering Residential and Commercial

CONGRATULATIONS TO RAINER ON THEIR 30 YEARS For all your commercial or residential enquiries, call Greg Trudgeon today Ph 03 308 8432 Mobile 0274 332 259 Email trudgeonnz@gmail.com

LUSK ENGINEERING LTD Congratulating Lucas and the team at Rainer on 30 years in business

Ashburton Powdercoating & Sandblasting would like to congratulate Rainer Irrigation for 30 years in business.

Phone 03-308 2410

COME SEE US AT OUR NEW ADDRESS 31 JB Cullen Drive

26 Robinson Street, Ashburton

Ph: 03 308 9888 E: admin@ashburtonpowdercoating.com

1991

2000

Became an agent for Angus Hose

IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

Moved to current site

Rainer Irrigation

Ashburton Guardian

TALBOT SECURITY GROUP Congratulations Lucas and the team at Rainer on 30 years in business.

We’re proud to be your security provider.

Home and Business Solutions • • • •

Alarm Installation Alarm Servicing Alarm Monitoring Alarm response and patrols

Key Cutting Solutions • • • • •

Key Reprogramming House Keys Transponder Car Keys Car Remotes Car Keys

The only 100% locally owned and operated security company in town E - operations@talbotsecurity.co.nz P - 03 307 2409 anytime 24/7

5

2003 6

Ashburton Guardian

2004

1000th 250 Rotorainer sold

Sold first Valley Pivot

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

Rainer Irrigation

Farming roots Retirement Resort and Radius Millstream. Les and his brother Don started out as young shed hands working for a shearing contractor and within a decade he and his brother had set up a rural contracting business offering sheep dipping, ditch cleaning, tree topping and harvesting. The brothers bought land, which they irrigated, enabling them to pioneer dairy farming on light soils under spray irrigation.

This led to developing the irrigation company, just in time to meet a boom in the irrigation business as dairy farming took off in the district.

They are proud of their contributions to the regional economy and the strong national and international business connections they have generated.

They are also proud to have been in a position to give back generously to the community that has supported them, with donations to EA Networks and other facilities and groups over the years.

Today, celebrating 30 years, Rainer Irrigation employs around 61 people and continues to innovate alongside the farmers they count as customers and friends.

brophy knight chartered accountants and business advisers

We are pleased to have provided accounting and advisory services to Rainer Irrigation.

Congratulations to Rainer Irrigation on their 30th Anniversary

For accounting and financial advice contact: Brophy Knight are proud supporters Brendon Adam, Mitchell Bellew, Greg Wall, Marcus Schoonderbeek Emma Rosevear, Angus Lindsay of Hospice Mid Canterbury.

When you’re looking for best quality at an affordable price

144 Tancred Street, Ashburton P. have 03 307 9051 We are pleased to provided accounting and E enquiries@brophyknight.co.nz advisory services to Hospice Mid Canterbury. www.brophyknight.co.nz

For accounting and financial advice contact: Brendon Adam, David Fisher, Mitchell Bellew, Greg Wall or Marcus Schoonderbeek.

• Residential and light commercial 144 Tancred Street, Ashburton When you’re looking for best quality at an affordable price

• Alterations and When you’re looking for best quality additions • Residential and light commercial at an affordable price When you’re looking for best quality • Concrete placing an affordable price •atConcrete placing • Residential and Light Commercial •• Farm • buildings Alterations and Additions Residential and Light Commercial When you’re looking for best quality

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120516

F

arming runs in the blood of the Briggs family. Over the generations, they’ve been involved in dairy farming, rural contracting and irrigation across the South Island farming scene – but it’s as irrigation pioneers that most people will know them.

Rainer Irrigation started in 1989 and it was a small company with big plans – to make it rain, to help farmers get water to crops as it was needed.

Their trademark Rotorainer irrigator was a revolution on the dry Mid Canterbury plains and the company churned out thousands of them in the early days. New technology and advances in irrigation worldwide led to a close business relationship with Zimmatic, in the US, and Rainer now imports their centre pivots and installs them for New Zealand farmers.

The Briggs family has other interests in tourism and property and developed Lochlea Estate, Lochlea

2005

Imported and sold Agrio Pivots

2009

IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

Took up Zimmatic Agency

Rainer Irrigation

Ashburton Guardian

7

Changing the Canterbury Plains landscape

T

he foundations of the irrigation company actually go back to 1975, when Les and Don imported a spray irrigator from Australia. The model was based on an original design, first seen in Turkey.

In New Zealand, they tinkered with the gearing and moving parts and eventually replaced the drive unit.

They used it to irrigate their dairy farm at Bankside.

“We appreciated the water,” Les’ son Gavin said. “Irrigation opened up many areas to different types of farming, more cropping in Pendarves and Te Pirita. The spray irrigators literally changed the landscape of the Canterbury plains.”

Les and Don saw that potential and moved into the irrigation business.

But tough farming times in the late 1980s saw the irrigation company cash-strapped as farmers struggled to pay bills.

In 1987, when the farming industry all but collapsed, Briggs Irrigation went broke like many other rural

servicing companies at the time.

The brothers, who also lost their farms, were not deterred. As farming regenerated, they knew the product they developed, the Rotorainer, was good. They mortgaged their homes and Rainer Irrigation was born.

They worked long and hard and the business grew. Don moved on and Gavin and his brother Rodger moved in. Later they were joined by their sister Colleen. Les started thinking

about other ventures and moved into property development with the purchase of the Lochlea subdivision block in 2009.

Les, now 85, still likes to know what’s going on at Rainer Irrigation and is often seen around the business.

Gavin said the company philosophy of working hard, being innovative and listening to farmers and supplying what they want was still key.

He said Rainer needed to be as innovative as farmers, who were challenged by the weather, the need to reduce their impact on the environment and their ability to be profitable.

“Rainers backs up what they sell, we don’t walk away, and that means we have developed and fostered relationships over 20 or 30 years. continued next page

2010 8

Ashburton Guardian

PW 100 Gun developed

2011

Electrical department established

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

Rainer Irrigation

from P7 Some farms we have redesigned their irrigation systems three times as land use and technology has changed.

“We are evolving with demand and believe in going the extra mile because farmers work seven days a week.”

Gavin said community, certainty and growth were also big words for Rainers. “We are part of this community, we want to give certainty to grow and diversify and to grow our bottom lines.”

Over the years, there have been highlights – for good and bad. When dairy farming was booming in the Ashburton District, Rainers installed 150 spray irrigators in the 2008 year.

Placed end to end, they would have run in a straight line from Ashburton to Methven.

Their original Rotorainers are still in use. No.1 was retired from service recently but No.7 is still functioning happily, with a bit of TLC and regular servicing. Farmers love them because they are mechanical and they can work on them themselves; and often they front up to the workshop with a broken “thingy” that staff easily

recognise and replace.

Gavin said the American Zimmatic machines are adapted for Kiwi conditions when they arrive.

Rainers developed and added the corner arm (which folds out and in to irrigate corners) and fence deflectors (which allow the pivots to roll over fences).

Proud suppliers of quality Caltex Lubricants to Rainer Irrigation.

We stock a full range of Caltex Lubricants and Pumping equipment for the Automotive, Farming, Contracting and Industrial sectors.

Gavin also remembers the terrible windstorm of 2013, when one of the biggest storms in 30 years whipped across the plains, toppling hundreds of big steel centre pivots and other spray irrigators just as the irrigation season was about to begin.

The unprecedented fallout was cruel as Rainers and other irriga-

tion companies raced to repair the storm’s damage so crops could receive crucial water. Specialist crews were brought in from overseas to support staff working seven days a week to get irrigators going again.

The work took months and created a logistical nightmare that Rainers was pleased to see the back of.

We're proud toto work with We're proud work with Rainer Irrigation and Rainer Irrigation and congratulate We're proud tocongratulate work with onon 30 years business! them them 30 years in business!

Rainer Irrigation and congratulate We're proud toinwork with

themIrrigation on 30 years business!

Rainer andincongratulate them on 30 years in business!

78B Hammersmith Dr, Wigram Christchurch.

Ph 03 3488-170 | www.hdps.co.nz

Gluyas Motor Group, Authorised Ford and Nissan Dealer Ashburton Gluyas Motor Group congratulates Rainer Irrigation on 30 years Gluyas Motor Group is a professional, service orientated dealership that will go the extra mile to ensure you, the client, receive great service and the right new or used quality vehicle for your need.

We offer the full range of new Ford and Nissan motor vehicles and a great range of used vehicles with a parts and service team focused on customer satisfaction to back them up.

We pride ourselves in customer satisfaction.

“We won’t be Beaten on Price”.

Wish to congratulate Rainer Irrigation on their 30 year anniversary.

WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT RAINER IRRIGATION WITH THEIR FLEET COF’S, SERVICING + REPAIRS. 03 307 8550 | www.aisashburton.co.nz 22 Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Park

2012

2013

5000th Rotorainer sold

IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

Major wind storm 350+ machines damaged

Rainer Irrigation

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR Rodger Briggs

FOUNDER/DIRECTOR Gavin Briggs

R

odger has been at Rainers since day one and is now the chief financial officer.

However, his other important role is in the design department.

He does a lot of the technical engineering design and is heavily involved in procurement.

He and brother Gavin inherited the innovation gene from their father Les and they have continued to learn and adapt to their farming clients’ changing needs.

G

avin is an original member of the design and sales team, where his engineering talents are put to good use. He is constantly tweaking, renovating and designing new things.

He says Rainers and new technology have helped local farmers become some of the most efficient water-users in the country.

The industry is constantly evolving and it is exciting to be at the leading edge.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lucas Cawte

L

ucas was appointed chief executive officer this year after nearly a decade working with Rainers. He started with the company in 2010 after returning from four years in London. He was employed as service manager, looking after the Rotorainers and effluent repair team, then 18 months later he was appointed assistant manager.

“The best thing about the industry is the people – the staff, the clients and the suppliers. We are all working together for a common goal. There is plenty of diversity and room to grow.”

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P 307 2696 E autosparks@xtra.co.nz 187 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton

Ashburton Guardian

9

2013 Ashburton Guardian

10

2014

100+ staff

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

Rainer Irrigation

OPERATIONS MANAGER

STORE MANAGER Quentin Spies

Shaun Fitzgerald

S

haun started at Rainers in April 2016 and was originally employed as project manager. When the company structure later changed, he was appointed operations manager and is now in charge of the dayto-day operation of the company, with the heads of the different departments reporting to him.

He is still very much project manager and controls the flow of resources, timeframes, quality and commission of new project installs. Shaun says there is a great dynamic in the company and no day is the same.

“There’s a great team culture through the company.”

He says he enjoys the challenge of ensuring clients’ expectations are exceeded through all processes of the company. “We pride ourselves on being industry leaders and having exceptional attention to detail.”

Over 100 pivots sold in a year

Q

uentin is the company’s resident rugby guru and despite being born in South Africa, he is a big All Blacks fan. He has held the store manager’s role since 2014.

The biggest part of his job is to keep account of all the stock – ordering on-time for major projects and keeping internal staff supplied with all the materials they need, from servicing and maintenance to new jobs.

Quentin is the customer face of the store and he knows customers by name, and usually by their irrigation system.

Often farmers come in and say “I have broken this, I need another.” He knows their systems and can look it up.

It is a big logistical exercise ordering irrigators from US supplier Zimmatic – it can take eight weeks to be transported by ship to New Zealand, so Quentin has to order in plenty of time.

SALES AND DESIGN – KEY MEMBERS Gavin Briggs, Doug Carrodus, Mike Bowler and Matt Hancox

T

his is the irrigation design and sales side of the business and where Rainer has lots of experience, a combined 100 years in their team. The depth of knowledge in this department is a strength of the business.

Rainers designs bespoke systems, tailored for the farmer, the land and their budget. Every irrigation system is different in terms of the area that needs to be watered, the pump, the water source, and the landscape.

The designers have a huge knowledge of products and service. They take into account geography, operational problems, costs, reliability; some water sources bring silt and sand, which can create operational issues.

Farmers want irrigation to add value to their operation and increase their bottom line through efficiency and good robust design. CEO Lucas says sales and design has a focus on new irrigation systems, which could be a new conversion or a redesign to improve efficiency.

The designers see both opportunities and challenges. Systems need to be designed in a way which future proofs the client. Whilst also minimising maintenance, maintaining reliability and ticking regulation boxes. “It makes it more challenging. We have to keep up with the changes in industry standards, environmental regulations and technologies to provide our clients with the best possible outcome.”

Congratulations to Rainer for 30 years in the irrigation business We are your one-stop glass shop for AUTO and HOUSE

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Ashburton 80 Kermode St Ph 03 308 7234

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Congratulations ON 30 years Rainer IRRIGATION !

2014

2014

First company to be design accredited for Irrigation

IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

25th Celebrations

Rainer Irrigation

ROTORAINER SERVICE AND WORKSHOP MANAGER Mark Symonds

R

ainers run a very well-resourced workshop, especially compared to their competitors.

We have the capability as a hangover from cutting our teeth on Rotorainers. We started making them in the 70’s and are still manufacturing themFulton today, along with all the parts for repairs and servicing. The capability of our workshop staff over the years has allowed us to continue to do research and development. Incorporating modern technology as well as monitoring and control systems.

That research and development includes the company’s award-winning vibra screen, which separates solids and liquid in effluent so the liquid can be recycled through centre pivots to fertilise pasture. After constantly being called out to repair other equipment in the marketplace, they designed their own with a mandate to produce something that could handle varying degrees of effluent over a season and was also cost effective when it came to repairs and maintenance. Workshop staff include welders, fitter welders, fitter turners with former manager John Ruakere being the longest serving member of the team.

He helped develop some of the original products and is still designing new things. ated The workshop features other long-serving staff and trove of cares their accumulated knowledge is a treasure Fulton knowledge for the company.

ars.

PUMPS MANAGER Randall Anderson

M

Ashburton Guardian

11

PIVOT ASSEMBLY AND MAINLINES Alan Robin

T

aking sure you get the right pump for the right his department is responsible for assystem is vital. Pumps are like a tailored suit – sembling pivots and laying mainlines for some have wide shoulders and narrow hips or other water and electricity. Alan has been in charge attributes that are needed for a good fit. since 2008 and he works closely with Rain“There is no one size fits all,” says Lucas. “It is Hogan Ashburton ers’ project manager to do the install and all bespoke design every time and we have the repair work. The wind storm in 2013 was expertise and the resources for that. It is another a big challenge for the assembly team and strength of the business.” they were stretched to get irrigators back in Rainers has a new pump lifting truck on the road working order. Their work is usually carried this season. Some pumps are underground in deep out in winter, outside the irrigation season, wells, up to 100m, and need to be lifted for repairs and mostly in the Canterbury area. or servicing.

“We can erect a couple of spans a day, “Obviously these are expensive and time-consummore or less depending on machine configing to repair, so getting it right is paramount. We uration” Lucas said. The longer the pivot the make sure the pump runs in the sweet spot that more vulnerable it is if there is an outage. prolongs its life as repairs mean down time because He said it was essential to have a lot of you have to take it to the workshop for repairs or stock on hand because it took eight weeks to for parts to be made.” have equipment shipped from the USA. The Surface water pumps have easier access, but department has its own diggers so they are different challenges. Many of the irrigation schemes not reliant on contractors to dig trenches for deliver pressurised water, that sometimes needs to mainlines and cables. be boosted or regulated.

Last year, they completed a big Randall is in charge of five guys, assigning work $2 million project at Hororata, tasks and ensuring a quick turnaround. Randall assembling nine pivots, plus kilostarted and proved himself in our Parts Department metres of pipe and power cable.

Hogan Fulton which Ashburton was the foundation for his Hogan appointmentAshburton as They mini-bussed crews up there daily until pump manager several years ago. the job was done.

ogan The Fulton Hogan team are extremely proud continue to have the opportunity to design on to and build dynamic multipurpose sites for

ion,

ve m ll the

d Timaru’s mission simple: throughout Mid Canterbury. theirisclients resource and solutions they ure jobs from council road These sites are not only durable and built ts including design and build.

to last, they will exceed environmental and building standards whilst being extremely functional and highly presentable.

The Ashburton and Timaru branches ated consists of a family of real people dedicated ares to doing good work that connects and cares for communities across the mid/south ars. Canterbury region for more than 40 years.

on,

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Whether your project is a new subdivision, commercial development, car park or a simple drainage solution – any job above ground or below ground – the local team has all the resource, knowledge and skill to ensure your project is completed to the highest of standards.

Built Tough from the ground up Built Tough from the ground up

Building Foundations

Recycled Asphalt trailer park

Asphalt Asphalt to to handle handle 50tn 50tn vehicles vehicles

ASHBURTON

For all your Phonecontracting 308 2418 or 0800needs, FHASH1 contact Corner WilliamsHogan Street andtoday.

The Terrace Fulton

Make your first call, the right call.

The Fulton Hogan team are extremely proud to continue to have the opportunity to design and build dynamic multipurpose sites for their clients throughout Mid Canterbury.

These sites are not only durable and built to last, they will exceed environmental and building standards whilst being extremely functional and highly presentable.

Fulton Hogan congratulates Rainer Irrigation on 30 years For all your contracting needs, contact Fulton Hogan today.

Make your first call, the right call.

TIMARU Phone 03 687 5400 or 0800 FHCTIM Meadows Road, Washdyke

2015 12

CUSTOMER AGRICULTURAL CONSULTING

Ashburton Guardian

Rainer Irrigation SALES REP Rose Thomson

RTISING ROOF

2018

First Vibra Screen installed

PUBLISHING 21/04/10 PUBLICATION FARM REVIEW

DESIGNER Jenni.kerr

Innovation Award

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE

SECTION FEATURES

PROOFED 4/16/2010 11:52:12 AM

SIZE 12.00 X 2.0

AD ID 2676586AA

FAX

ROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY ALTERATIONS MUST FINALISED

BY OUR MATERIAL DEADLINE. PIVOT BE SERVICE AND ELECTRICAL MANAGER Alan Foster

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

THIRD GENERATION

Colleen Briggs

Sam Briggs

T

A

he admin team keeps track of everything and are the people you see first when you walk in the front door at Rainers’ headquarters on the corner of McNally and Robinson streets, in the Riverside industrial area.

The team includes the welcoming face of Georgia Rawlinson, there since 2001, and who knows all the customers by name, and Karen Banks.

Keeping the Briggs family connection is Colleen’s daughter Amanda and Gavin’s wife Heather.

nother point of difference for Rainers is their electrical department.

“We do everything from pump control and general electrical work – keeping control of the whole project.

“We can do everything electrical. We are efficient and can deal with the associated technology that comes with pivots and we keep abreast with changes. There is a huge electrical element to pumps and there is the underground mains cable.

A standard 75kw pump uses the same power as about 5000 led light bulbs. So efficiency is always a big part of the electrical equation.”

Pivots, with the GPS software, help farmers track areas of land that have been irrigated, which is important for data and record-keeping needed for farm plans.

G

avin’s son, Sam Briggs has been working with the company for three years. He is in charge of the pump truck on a daily basis.

When he’s not pulling out and replacing pumps, he is qualified to verify flow meters and backflow preventers.

Sam’s cousin and second cousin, Melissa Briggs and Curtis Mann are involved in different parts of the business and play an equally important role in the operation.

Winter Feed Testing

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Agricultural Consulting Services provides the following Consulting Services independent feed

Provides the following independent assessment services. feed assessment services.

Winter Consulting Feed Agricultural Services congratulates assessments, dry matter Winter Feed assessments, dry matter, yield and ME testing Rainer Irrigation on 30 years in business. yield and ME testing GPS Paddock measuring, accurate GPS Paddock area measurements for DM/Ha measuring, accurate

GPS farm areamapping measurements � Silage testing (DM, ME, and for DM/Ha Farm design and setout digestability)

Drone mapping Drone crop monitoring

Silage and testing (DM, ME Whiteboards map pads

Silage quality analysis

Hazard maps

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Accurate measurements are are Accurate measurements essential to ensure essential to ensure winterwinter feed feed targets are met, so contact us now targets are met, so contact us now Contact us now GerardGerard Rushton 027 433 9065 Rushton 027 433 9065 TerryGerard Kingsbury 027027 229 9993 Terry Rushton Kingsbury 027433 2299065 9993

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A

C S

Agricultural Agricultural Consulting Services P: 03 3036 208 Agricultural Consulting E: office@agconsulting.co.nz Services ConsultingW: www.agconsulting.co.nz

Services

CONGRATULATIONS TO RAINER ON THEIR 30 YEARS IN BUSINESSS

w: www.agconsulting.co.nz

E: office@agconsulting.co.nz w: www.agconsulting.co.nz

Congratulations

We are privileged to work with Rainer Irrigation, and congratulate them on their 30 Year Anniversary.

Smallbone Ashburton are proud to have been looking after the vehicle needs of Mid Cantabrians for 100 Years.

Check out our website and Facebook page for our latest vehicle and workshop specials.

ASHBURTON: Main South Road, Tinwald / 03 307 9028 Facebook: SmallboneAshburton

smallbone.co.nz

2019

First fertigation install

2019

First Pre-Season Pop held

IT RAIN, RAINER CAN.

N O S Celebration time A E S PRE

POP!

Rainer Irrigation

Ashburton Guardian

13

Thanks again to all that attended our very first Rainer Irrigation Pre-Season Pop Celebration!

Congratulations to all our winners taking home; a 4pod K-Line set, a Petrol Pump, a $200 Lake House Voucher, and five $1000 Rainer credit vouchers.

AINTY AND GROWTH COMMUNITY, CERT

A shout out to our suppliers that contributed to the day! 43South, Brown Brothers, RX Plastics NZ, R.Redpaths Ltd, Denis Cunningham, Charter Transport, WSP Water Supply Products and On Farm Data.

It's nearly irrigation season.

Are you prepared?

SAER Borehole Pumps are now available exclusively through Pump & Valve Specialties Christchurch.

•

Stock available locally - from our Christchurch warehouse

•

All pumps are assembled and water tested in-house

•

Full workshop facilities available

For Technical support, call Andrew Watson on 021 276 9045

PUMPS (Sales, services and spare parts)

• DURCO • Pleuger • TKL • Hydro-titan • KL ISO

• Ingersoll-rand • Worthington • Pacific • Stork • SIHI

FOR ALL APPLICATIONS

03 343 4511

pumpsales_nz@flowserve.com www.pumpandvalve.com

www.flowserve.com

Find us at Cnr Robinsons & McNally Street, Ashburton

Call us on 03 307 9049

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Ashburton Guardian

IF ANYONE CAN MAKE IT

Rainer Irrigation

Make the most of o

T

here is nothing new about irrigation; it dates back to the early civilisation of man. In New Zealand it began with the early settlers and in Canterbury the first recorded irrigation system was constructed by a Wakanui farmer, Joseph Hunt, in 1878.

Mid Canterbury has been leading edge in the irrigation industry ever since. Councils of the early days harnessed water from the Ashburton River and delivered it to farmers via a vast network of stockwater races; then the Government-sponsored Rangitata Diversion Race was built in the late 1930s to take water from the Rangitata River across the plains to the Rakaia.

From that canal, irrigation schemes use water that is the lifeblood of the district.

As farmers have adapted, so too has Rainer Irrigation.

Their early product, the Rotorainer, has evolved beyond just applying water, and the company imports hi-tech and robust Zimmatic centre pivots from the US. Even in the past few years, centre pivots have evolved so they avoid irrigating lane-

ways and waterways and can be programmed to irrigate only those parts of the paddock that need it, based on information provided by soil moisture sensors.

Today’s irrigation systems are multi-faceted, but able to be controlled from the farmer’s cellphone. Rainer’s product range is therefore wide-ranging.

Their award-winning vibra screen was designed and built from start to finish in-house.

In 2018 it was a winner in Irrigation New Zealand’s innovation awards.

The screen removes solids larger than 1mm, which allows solids and liquid to be separated in effluent, with the liquid able to be recycled in centre pivot irrigators to fertilise pasture.

CEO, Lucas Cawte, said it was a real achievement and full credit had to go to the Rainer staff involved in the products, from its research and development through to its manufacture and launch more than three years later.

The company has had great feedback from clients, who were also involved in the screen’s development.

03 379 0310 info@codeblue.co.nz | www.codeblue.co.nz

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See how Lowara & Gould’s premium pump ranges can assist with your water requirements at Rainer Irrigation, your local Lowara dealer.

PMS 293 C100/M63/Y0/K0

10/19

Brown Brothers Engineers congratulate Rainer Irrigation on celebrating 30 years in business.

Proud to be the chosen IT support network for Rainer Irrigation

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View our website for more information www.rainer.co.nz

Email us at admin@rainer.co.nz

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Rainer Irrigation

Ashburton Guardian

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Rainer also has a big range of pumps, from domestic to powerful irrigation pumps, as well as everything needed to supply stockwater, including troughs.

Irrigation accessories also include soil moisture probes, weather stations, telemetry and flow meters. Rainer’s in-house electrical department can also handle all that is required, meaning no work is out-sourced.

Their pumps also include a solar-powered model, which pumps only using the power produced. This option does not store electricity, so the pump works when the sun shines and is ideal in areas where it is too expensive to get power in.

Lucas said the company was preparing for the future by thinking about batteries for energy storage. It was also thinking about what the future would look like and how they could best help farmers be efficient users of resources.

Technology had come a long way in recent years, helping track and record water and effluent application.

“It is all about using what you need, when

you need it, as opposed to a blanket application. Variable rate irrigation helps you keep water off areas that don’t need it, like lanes.

Everything has become so smart.”

Lucas said the company was looking at how to incorporate drones into their operation; the drones could be used to map soils and geographical features.

A no-evaporation drip system was also being investigated and that was already being trialled in other areas on pasture.

“Not all soil types are conversant with drip though, so knowing soil and resources is important. It’s horses for courses. Little actions can amount to big improvements.

“We need to stay sharp and give good advice. We are trying to make the most of our land because it is scarce and it is a moving landscape in regards to environmental rules.”

Details of Rainer’s complete range of products is on its website, www.rainer.co.nz

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

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ONE-STOP IRRIGATION SHOP DESIGN TURN–KEY IRRIGATION DESIGNS FOR • COMMERCIAL FARMS • LAWN AND GARDENS • LIFESTYLE BLOCKS • EFFLUENT

IRRIGATION SUPPLY AND INSTALL OF ALL TYPES OF IRRIGATION • ZIMMATIC CENTRE PIVOTS AND LATERALS • ROTORAINERS AND LINEARS • GUNS • FIXED GRID SPRINKLERS

EFFLUENT A SOLUTION FOR EVERY EFFLUENT PROBLEM • • • •

VIBRA SCREEN SOLID SEPARATOR TRAVELLING EFFLUENT IRRIGATORS PROOF OF PLACEMENT PIVOT UNDERSLUNG SYSTEMS

REPAIRS AND SERVICE • • • •

7 DAY REPAIR SERVICE ALL PIVOT MAKES AND MODELS MAINLINE REPAIRS QUICK REACTION TIMES

PUMPS

• • • • • •

A PUMP FOR EVERY APPLICATION

SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS SURFACE PUMPS DOMESTIC PUMPS REPUTABLE BRANDS BACK FLOW PREVENTER, FLOW METERS REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE

ELECTRICAL SERVICES IRRIGATION SPECIALISTS • SOFT START AND VSD PANELS • GENERAL ELECTRICAL SERVICES • MULTI PUMP CONTROL

STOCKWATER • • • •

DESIGN AND INSTALL PARTS and REPAIRS ADDITIONS SOLAR POWERED SYSTEMS

RETAIL STORE

• • • • • •

EXPERIENCED STAFF ROTORAINER PARTS PIVOT PARTS ALL DOMESTIC IRRIGATION COMPONENTS PIPE FITTINGS STOCKWATER FITTINGS AND MORE

Call the experts on 03 307 9049 | Cnr Robinsons & McNally Street, Ashburton | Email admin@rainer.co.nz | www.rainer.co.nz