64 | Grounded in people, staff and clients Collective expertise is something Hazlett values highly. Karen Phelps As technology reshapes modern farming, independent rural business Hazlett is proving that innovation works best when it is grounded in people – staff, clients and all those it interacts with across the rural community. Its client-first philosophy is increasingly being supported by smart technology to assist the knowledgeable team and the business has recently invested in drone capability, using it to gather detailed aerial imagery across paddocks. By programming specific flight paths, it can capture consistent, high-quality data to give both farmers and its agronomy specialists a clearer view of crop performance. “We can programme the flight path to take photos in each paddock and we’re looking at the potential use of AI to identify weeds,” explains Hazlett Agronomy General Manager Scott McIlroy. “That will speed up the process, make us more efficient and potentially result in more efficient costing structures for farmers.” The aim is not to replace boots on the ground, but to enhance them. Drone imagery can highlight variability and emerging issues, allowing agronomy specialists to focus attention where it is needed most. It complements the use of Agworld, an independent farm information management system that supports planning, budgeting, compliance and input tracking. “It’s a really exciting space to explore,” says Scott. “We also plan to get our own team’s knowledge into the system so rather than having one of our agronomy specialists walking their paddocks all the time our clients would each benefit from the knowledge of our entire team. “We’re not afraid to try new things if they will benefit farmers.” That collective expertise is something Hazlett values highly. “Our team is realistic and down to earth, willing to tell clients exactly how it is and offering advice that will genuinely deliver results. Our agronomy specialists take the time to walk paddocks, understand individual goals and tailor plans accordingly. This is important because when it comes to soil management and crop production no two paddocks are the same. Every dollar spent needs to be invested wisely. That means choosing the right seeds, putting them in the right paddock and applying the right RURAL SERVICES » Hazlett Ltd Grunt. Built for farmers who want results, not excuses. This is the strongest fully surfactant-loaded liquid glyphosate in the world, packed with environmentally friendly surfactants and backed by five years of research and trial work. With lower application rates than any other glyphosate on the market, GRUNT® gets more done with less. Non-residual, foliar-absorbed, translocated herbicide with no withholding period (except for ragwort), giving you flexibility when you need it most. And as the only glyphosate registered at 1,000 g ai/ha for ryegrass control, GRUNT means less product per hectare — and more efficiency in every pass. Strong. Smart. Proven. That’s GRUNT®. www.donaghys.co.nz or 0800 942 006 ACVM Act 1997 No. P008482. Patent NZ572414. SIZE 10 Litres 100 Litres 1,000 Litres available on request CONTAINS 600g/L glyphosate as the potassium and triethanolamine salts in the form of a soluble concentrate. Grunt ® 600 GLYPHOSATE agrichemical at the right time. It’s a highly personalised approach.” Continuous improvement sits at the heart of that service. Internally the company runs training sessions with all major suppliers throughout the year to upskill staff on new products, market developments and supply stability. “By investing in our people we ensure clients have the guidance and insight to achieve the best results for their farm,” says Scott. This year Hazlett Agronomy will also hold self-driven field days with a strong farmer focus, independent of supplier influence. “From June we will host three field days across North, Central and South Canterbury, each centred on different topics around forage feeds and systems. Free for farmers to attend, the events will include a hospitality afternoon designed to encourage discussion and shared learning,” explains Scott. Founded in 2008, Hazlett has grown from a small independent operator into a comprehensive rural service spanning livestock broking, insurance, agronomy, funding and procurement. Yet despite that growth Scott says the focus remains unchanged. “Every day we wake up and go to work we want to do the best for our clients,” he says. “Our clients come first. If our clients are happy then we do well too. We are totally focused on helping farmers to grow the best crops they can economically.” barenbrug.co.nz 0800 449 955 Maxsyn, New Zealand’s top-selling perennial ryegrass, just got even better – now supercharged with NEA12 endophyte for increased resilience and productivity. Don’t forget Forge, the phenomenal 3-5 year pasture bred to deliver With Maxsyn and Forge you can have your cake and eat it. When you invest in pasture, you’re investing in your future. Nothing delivers returns like proven, persistent Maxsyn and Forge. Many happy returns
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=