Coast & Country News July 2016
FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP
Page 51
Clothing for long, short and safe The Circle M philosophy of ‘we make what people need’ extends to its custom-making service. Circle M owner Terry Marshall says with more than 30 years in the business they are proud of their New Zealand-made quality garments.
Custom-made
Circle M is able to combine hi- vis with the oilskin – perfect for the Kiwi outdoors.
“We have a big range of sizes but we can custom-make to your requirements as well. No two people are the same shape; and getting a good fit, which is made to your needs is what Circle M can do for you. “Just recently we had a guy in who was so tall and skinny he needed really long leggings and he had arms to match, so we were able to custom-make to his specific build.
“The same goes for those vertically challenged with a good girth – we can make for all of them,” says Terry. Designed, created, tested and manufactured in Otorohanga using only the finest fabric available makes the Circle M range perfect for the New Zealand conditions. “We have a wide range of farming and hunting clothing specialising in the needs for the outdoor work and recreation lifestyle.”
Hi-vis too Circle M has a specialised range of safety clothing and has designed a unique way of overlaying hi-vis over the oilskin to make it warm, dry while being safe and seen. “Hi-vis is vital. Everybody has to be seen and to be able to combine hi- vis with the oilskin makes it perfect for the Kiwi outdoors.
Understanding market benefits farmers Recently, I had the occasion to participate at a MYOB Fieldays function which led me to reflect on the value of data for farmers and the insights it can provide.
Initially, when gathering this information, data points will be limited, but during time trends will emerge which will drive both on-farm management decisions and enable farmers to engage
insights, consumer trends and value chain opportunities and threats shouldn’t just be the purview of the marketers.
Preferences
I understand there are only so many hours in the day, but your on-farm asset value depends on effective supply chain response to those trends, and consumer reactions and preferences. Chase different in-market perspectives; if you can get over to the countries we export to, plan a trip and meet importers, distributors, retail customers and consumers. I have always found it interesting how farmers will be quite probing of the various commercial options that exist around their on-farm decisions, but at times almost blasé towards testing the curWalking through a cloud – the innovative MYOB rent thinking around stand with its ‘cloud’ doorway fascinated Fieldays’ in-market opportunities and commercial response. visitors.
There is real value in deeply understanding a farm’s complete ecosystem. Farmers have always had access to hard data around their profit and loss; and increasingly the various farm inputs and impacts on productivity and profitability. But the future is in developing a broader understanding of the whole farm ecosystem and how the various components interact with each other such as water quality, soil performance, flora and fauna.
Trends emerge
proactively with local government regulators. There is more that we don’t know than we do at an individual farm level – the more you build the picture of your farm, the stronger your insights and negotiating position will be. Insights shouldn’t stop at the farm gate. Developing and accessing market
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In my view, the closer the farmer gets to the consumer the better.
“Once our customers see this product they know it is the perfect solution for their work – and play – environment.”