78 | RURAL SERVICES » Southern Cultivation High quality workmanship delivered Fraser Leslie is trying to steer the business away from the peak workload during November/December, and spread it more throughout the year. Southern Cultivation provides a diverse range of ground work including ploughing, discing, roller and direct drilling, power harrowing, grubbing and baling. Richard Loader · Roller Drilling · Power Harrowing · Ploughing / Discing · Combine Harvesting We can do all your... FRASER - 027 694 8226 | southerncultivation@gmail.com | southerncultivation.co.nz CULTIVATION LIMITED SOUTHERN · Grubbing · Direct Drilling · Hedge Trimming · Tractor Trailer · Conventional Hay Bailing Hose Solutions HEWITT’S TRACTOR SERVICES Mechanical and Hydraulic Repairs on Farm and Workshop Services 118 Clyde St, Balclutha (03) 418-1348 hewitts.co.nz FOR ALL YOUR ® Altogether Better™ Born and bred on a sheep and beef farm, Fraser Leslie progressed from working on farms to working for agricultural contractors before taking the opportunity to buy his own small contracting business in 2007, establishing Southern Cultivation Ltd. Passionate about what he does and the quality of workmanship delivered to his farmer clients, Fraser says his well-rounded agricultural background enables him to see all sides of the equation and understand what farmers want. “Doing those things properly makes such a difference to the end result. Most farmers in South Otago would regard me as a highly skilled ploughman. We use GPS in the tractors, map the paddocks out and plough from the inside out so that there’s a better result, the paddock ends up better because we aren’t driving on it so much and it’s more efficient and cheaper for the farmer. I’m constantly trying to educate myself on how to do things better, and I want to know why farmers are doing what they are doing so I can understand what the outcome is going to be.” Over Southern Cultivation’s fifteen-year history the workload has increased as reputation has spread and the business has become more efficient. Fraser says having good staff is also key, hard to come by and all too often overlooked, especially in contracting businesses. “Farmers love seeing the same staff member come back year on year. They know they can be trusted, and don’t have to be re-shown how to get out to the back paddock.” Working alongside Fraser is Murray (Muz) Wilkinson. Now in his fourth season, Muzz does almost all of the roller drilling, and the farmers now call him directly to organise work. “That’s good for me and Muzz loves it as well,” says Fraser. Based in Clinton and working for a steady stream of loyal customers throughout South Otago, “We mostly run big 8000 series John Deere tractors. I have a few wee sidelines like conventional hay baling, and I have a tractor-trailer that is ideal for cartage including rock, silage and grain. I’m trying to steer the business away from the peak workload during November/December, and spread it more throughout the year by diversifying our contracting services. Part of the driver for that is providing a better job for a staff member with a guaranteed ten to eleven months work, rather than three months completely flat out and not a lot on the shoulders. Developing the hedge trimmer is another move in that direction.” Currently in development, a hedge trimmer designed by Fraser is likely to be commissioned August/September this year. The trimmer will be mounted on an 8235R John Deere tractor with a completely redesigned cab utilising polycarbonate marguard, providing the driver with bulletproof type protection, while enabling full 360-degree visibility. “The crane and trimmer will be mounted on the back of the tractor, and reach over the top of the cab. I will be able to cut 360 degrees around the tractor and the trimmer should be able to reach up at least 12 metres.”
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