NZ Dairy
DAIRY SERVICES » John Austin Ltd
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Still going strong after 37 years Russell Fredric
Waikato-based John Austin Ltd is one of the largest agricultural contracting firms in New Zealand. The scale of the 37-year-old company means some impressive numbers are generated from its operations; 800 clients are serviced by 45 staff, boosted to about 60 during peak season, with equipment including 33 tractors, four forage harvesters, two combine harvesters and 11 trucks in addition to a range of other equipment for spraying, cultivating, seed drilling and earthworks. Maize, grain and silage planting and harvesting forms the bulk of the company’s work-load. Although during the peak season the company faces a hefty fuel bill of more than $100,000 a month, this cost forms just 7 percent to 10% of the businesses turnover, John Austin says. He quips that ink is another product in high demand. “One thing the drivers always need is pens; they are always coming in wanting pens.” Because of its significant infrastructure and resources, clients of John Austin Ltd benefit from a long-established company which focuses on providing value, high quality workmanship and excellent service. With one depot strategically placed to service the Waikato, Matamata, Piako and King Country districts, staff are available any time to meet and discuss clients needs ; a secondary base is located in Ohakune. “We regularly invest in the latest technology, driving greater efficiency and accurate product delivery into clients’ pasture and crop management,” John Austin says. The company continuously seeks worldleading technology to improve the quality of its products and services, both to improve efficiency and develop new or improved methods. John Austin regularly travels overseas and maintains contact with researchers, leading farmers, and agricultural machinery companies worldwide. “Our staff combine to bring you many years of practical experience operating machinery in the various soil conditions and environments throughout the Waikato.” Among the company’s staff is an agronomist who provides cropping advice to farmers. “The practical knowledge of our staff, combined with our internal Field Operations Manuals and established technical and agronomic know-how ensure the delivery of maximum quality in all our operations.” These core values and commitment to
John Austin Ltd is one of the largest agricultural contracting firms in New Zealand.
total quality are part of John Austin Ltd’s ISO9001:2008 certification, a world renown standard to ensure the methodology and processes employed by a business are well designed, robust, relevant, and dependable. The certification provides an independent means to check that processes are clearly defined and regularly reviewed and updated. While technology such as GPS guidance and controllers for variable rate application of fertilisers, sprays and seeds have created significant advances, they are now the norm, with the benefit of providing greater efficiency and traceablity of application. All the company’s combine and forage harvesters have yield mapping technology, while the purchase last year of a John Deere HarvestLab allows the company to offer constituent sensing which helps to determine corn silage nutrient quality so farmers can
get the most out of their feed and ultimately increase production. Despite the various technologies making a big difference for both the company and its clients, weather is one thing John Austin has
no control over and this year’s Waikato spring has been extremely challenging. “It’s been very tough. It’s probably the wettest, latest start to the season that we’ve ever had in my 37 years.”
PROUD TO BE WORKING WITH EXCEPTIONAL CONTRACTORS LIKE JOHN AUSTIN LTD 93 MANIAPOTO ST, OTOROHANGA EMAIL: service@mckenziestrawbridge.co.nz
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