Business Rural
RURAL SERVICES » North Canterbury Ag & Silage
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Contractor knows tough times Kim Newth North Canterbury Ag and Silage Limited is a hard working rural contracting business that claims a strong reputation for reliability and service. Owner Johnny Miller started out in partnership five years ago with Mike Earl Contracting before setting up on his own as North Canterbury Ag and Silage Limited. Having worked on dairy farms before moving into rural contracting, he says he knows how important it is to meet clients’ expectations, when and where required. He has combined his work on farms with contracting over many years. “I was a dairy farmer for 13 years, so that really helps you to know how the client thinks. I have been there myself and know the quality of feed they want. I know what it’s like when times are tough as well.” In the current environment of a low dairy payout combined with a dry autumn, Johnny and his manager, Chris Allan, say they are well aware of the pressures facing many farmers. “Everyone’s just trying to survive at the moment,” says Johnny. “Nothing has been growing because it has been so dry, so we haven’t been doing as much drilling. “Anything that has been planted has not grown as well as it should have. The farmers are not putting the extra feed in the sheds or silage pits. There really is not as much grass around. We’ve had the two things come at once: the drought and the low dairy pay-out. “So we’re keeping our prices down to where they have been for the past few years to reflect the way things are right now.” North Canterbury Ag and Silage offers a full range of silage services – from grass and pit silage
North Canterbury Ag & Silage offers the full range of silage services. to whole-crop silage, along with drilling and full cultivation services. “We also operate an earthmoving company – North Canterbury Rutbusters Ltd – with diggers and trucks that are available for jobs such as dairy lanes and other projects. “On top of that, we supply a lot of straw, hay and balage,” says Johnny. He and Chris co-ordinate and work with a group of contractors.
“If the weather is right, the boys will do the work with no weekends off,” says Johnny. “They are experienced guys, and it makes a big difference. They will do what has to be done. “We are well stocked with vehicles and machinery. So, for example, if one of our silage harvesters breaks down, all we need to do is go back to the yard and get another one out.” The firm operates out of a yard at Medbury, and
has a suite of contracting equipment that includes four silage harvesters, eight truck-and-trailer units, three tractors (with provision to hire another three at the height of the season), three types of drill, a range of cultivation gear, and various attachments for the harvesters for whole-crop and maize. North Canterbury Ag and Silage works in the area from Culverden, Cheviot, Hawarden and Waikari through to Rangiora.
Grain firm looks to expand
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South Otago Grain is a member of the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers; Association.
• From page 44 more than 30 years with the business – “I know my customers pretty well,” he says. South Otago Grain is a member of the New Zealand Feed Manufacturers’ Association, which represents the interests of almost all stockfeed manufacturing companies in the country. The association works to establish industry standards for the production of compound feed that complies with food-safety requirements, and develops and administers industry codes of practice and internal audit documents. The NZFMA also collects and circulates technical information and statistics to members, promotes research and development and industry training, which Mike says helps keep his business up-to-date. South Otago Grain largely services clients within 60 to 70 kilometres of Balclutha. The company has its own small track and can deliver or provide bulk delivery into silos. Mike Maleyu says he is is looking to expand but aims to continue to offer the personal, local service for which the business has been renowned since it started more than 45 years ago.
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