58 | Young Achievers High achiever: Toby Evans (top left), Dean Brooks and Ben Smith. Brooks Spreading now offers horticultural spreading to its list of services. Karen Phelps N-CAP ON YOUR MIND? NUTRIENT DATA CAPTURE MADE EASY. WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED... PROOF OF PLACEMENT - Record keeping for easy access. GPS GUIDANCE - For spreading and spraying. BIKE-KITS FOR EFFECTIVE K-LINE MANAGEMENT - Help achieve an increase in DM response. INTERGRATIONWITHMAJOR FARM MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - Ask us about our partners. “TracMap are great to deal with, have an awesome product and it’s so simple to use...” - Dean, Brooks Spreading 0800 872 262 info@tracmap.com RURAL SERVICES » Brooks Spreading Taking out the 2021 New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association Young Achievers award has been good recognition for the hard work he’s put in over the years, says Toby Evans from Brooks Spreading. Since first joining Brooks Spreading in 2010 Toby has gained his Spreadmark Operators certificate and has risen through the ranks to second in charge. Company owner Dean Brooks says he doesn’t know of anyone more deserving of the accolade. “He’s a good all rounder – reliable, skilled at the job and great with customers,” says Dean. “He’s passionate about the industry and is already getting involved with NZGFA meetings. It’s good to see young guys coming through and making a difference. We’re very proud of him.” Dean says Brooks Spreading has always placed high importance on training staff. “The better the staff, the better the job they can do for customers,” he says. Dean was also recognised at the NZGFA awards for his contribution to the industry with a life membership. Over the years he’s been involved with the Fertiliser Quality Council, driver training for spreader operators, a national councillor and vice president and president of the NZGFA. Dean had a background working on farms and in the transport industry as a driver and dispatcher when he started what would become Brooks Spreading. Today the Wakefield based company is run by Dean and wife Sarah who takes care of the administration and accounts side of the business. Until recently Brooks Spreading focused on agricultural spreading but around 12 months ago it added horticultural spreading to its offering after spying a gap in the market due to the large number of farms being planted with hops in the Nelson region. The company has invested in a new tractor with horticultural spreader to service the growing horticulture market, which includes hops, grapes, apples, berries, fruit and vegetables. “Our specialised equipment can spread down to a 1.8 metre row, reducing crop damage, time and cost. The FENDT 209 V Tractor is narrow and digitally operated with top-of-class controls. It’s also fitted with TracMap (GPS guided proof of placement), with a spreader trailer designed for purpose,” explains Dean. There are also three Iveco spreader trucks (two based in Nelson and one based in Murchison), a Case Optum tractor with both a trailing spreader and a 3pt linkage spreader, a Mack Trident 6×4 and a four-axle trailer bulk unit along with side tipping and automat trailers for self-unloading into the spreaders. Manitou telehandlers and a mobile elevator for loading bulk deliveries into the spreaders round out the plant. Of course it also continues to spread for the agricultural industry. Brooks Spreading can spread lime, dolomite, all types of traditional and organic fertiliser, compost, seed and seed mixes. It is also Spreadmark accredited and a member of the New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers Association, promoting best practice spreading. An additional service is bulk cartage throughout the South Island. “We get the job done right, first time, no mistakes,” says Dean. “We are proud to have an unmatched reputation for quality and service.”
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