| 89 With most seed being traded in $US and Euros, our low dollar is currently helping slightly. RURAL SERVICES » South Island Seed Dressing Storage for one of its pea lines, South Island Seed is reducing the manual labour required, improving health and safety, and increasing throughput. “That machine does around 12,000 tons of peas a year, a lot of which go into bags,” says South Island Seed Dressing director Brent Clarke. “With faster, more precise, and more consistent bagging and palletising, we’ll be able to react more quickly to market demand and urgent shipments.” The labour saving South Island Seed Dressing is making will see some staff on that line redirected to other parts of the business where they can focus on more complex tasks than packaging, improving overall productivity and reducing the physical strain and risks associated with repetitive lifting and stacking tasks. Another new Seed Processing Line recently installed at the facility is capable of processing small lots up to five tonnes. South Island Seed Dressing had been making use of its larger machines to process small lots, taking them out of their larger lot production for a time. Seeking increased efficiencies, the company has made this cost-effective investment to match processing capacity with demand and reduce overall operating costs. “Seed production often starts out in small lots,” Brent says. “The first commercial production may only be a couple of tons, then that grows to six or seven, then 25 and away it goes. This machine is going to be good for our lines of first production.” It’s been a poor weather season for the arable sector across the country with essential sunshine hours, heat, and even wind lacking. “Without the sun we don’t get the bees working for pollination, and now we’re not getting the winds to dry the crops out for harvest. Most of the seed that’s coming to us today has been through a drying process, and our dryers have been busy as well. That all adds extra cost and time for the industry.” With most seed being traded in $US and Euros, our low dollar is currently helping slightly, however, costs of fertiliser, chemical, and compliance remain high with no real lift in commodity prices. Meanwhile South Island Seed Dressing focuses on the things it can control, refining every step of its comprehensive seed management process for the most efficient and effective job done, every time. “The first commercial production may only be a couple of tons, then that grows to six or seven, then 25 and away it goes.” EXTENSIVELY TESTED, WORLD LEADING CEREALSEED to adding value at the ground level through tailored solutions unique to your farming operations. Discover our award winning range. Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers Gabites Limited Chartered Accountants & Business Advisers 54 Cass Street, Ashburton Phone: 03 308 5099 For over 50 years we’ve been committed to delivering innovative, practical, value added advice and services to our clients PROUD TO SUPPORT SOUTH ISLAND SEED DRESSING & STORAGE COMPANY LTD
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