| 67 Expanded specialist contracting services Kelly Deeks As Canterbury farmers look for more efficient and environmentally responsible effluent solutions, McLeod Cultivation has expanded its specialist contracting services with the recent addition of umbilical effluent spreading to its core services. This move for the Ashburton-based business, owned by Shantelle and James McLeod, has widened its seasonal workload and offered farmers a point of difference in a crowded tanker market. James says the decision came down to practicality and value for local farmers. “We had been running effluent tankers for a few years but the umbilical system suits Canterbury farms really well,” he says. “Most have centrally located sheds and ponds and good access from laneways, so the setup is efficient and tidy.” The couple invested in the new system last year and have been steadily introducing it across the district. The umbilical system pumps effluent directly from the pond through a drag hose to an applicator, eliminating repeated tanker trips and reducing weight on pastures. Shantelle says the advantages are clear. “It’s a lot cheaper and more efficient. We can spread more volume in a day, there’s less laneway damage, and farmers can keep operating stock around the pipe. With no heavy units going up and down, there’s also much less soil compaction.” Early reaction has been positive, especially from farmers previously put off by older systems that lacked consistency. “No one was currently doing it in our area and from past experiences, there was still some hesitation. We’ve focused on attention to detail and correct setup because that’s the key to making this system work well. Our staff take the RURAL SERVICES » McLeod Cultivation PROUD TO SUPPORT MCLEOD CULTIVATION Ashburton 233 Alford Forest Road 03 307 7153 Simon Jackson 027 512 7205 | Paul McFall 027 263 9185 | Scott Nicholas 027 706 4147 Proudly Supporting McLeod Cultivation fݬŤ ËéÙ ¬ÅƴÖä© »ÅËõ¾¤ Ë£ éÝäËÄÙÝDŽ ¾ÅƤ éݬÅÝÝÝ Å Ë¸ä¬ôÝƤ õ 䬾ËÙ ©¬¤©¾û ÝÖ¬£¬ Ý˾éä¬ËÅÝ ä©ä ¬££Ù £ÙËÄ £ÙÄ äË £ÙÄƤ ôÅ ÖË» äË ÖË»ƣ aË ÅÝéÙ ä©Ý ¤ÙËÅËÄûƴ¾ Ý˾éä¬ËÅÝ Ýäû ËÅ äÙ» £ËÙ ÝéÝÝƤ õ ¾ÝË Ù¤é¾Ù¾û õ¾» ä© ÙËÖÝ ËÙÅÙ äË ËÙÅÙ äË Ä» ÙËÄÄÅä¬ËÅÝ ¾ËŤ ä© õûƣ aË £¬Å Ëéä ÄËÙ ¤Ë äË ä¾ûÝä¤ƣËƣÅĀƣ 3$''2&. %< 3$''2&. &251(5 %< &251(5 ŬŎƀûĺƛ ƀŨŨŎŬŹĤŅę nõeăŎû !ƀĺŹĤƔØŹĤŎŅ James got into contracting after completing a diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University then driving tractors and harvesting in the UK, USA, and Australia. time to get it right, and once farmers see it running efficiently, they’re surprised at the output.” The system also provides full emptying of effluent ponds, low-emission spreading via dribble bars, reduced odour and wind drift, and improved nutrient retention in soils. For farmers navigating environmental rules and tight margins, those operational and compliance benefits are important. It has also helped flatten McLeod Cultivation’s seasonal peaks, spreading work more evenly through the winter period. While the new technology is an important step, Shantelle says the core of McLeod Cultivation remains unchanged. “Our whole vision has always been to provide a good service for the local community,” she says. “We grew up here being supported by the community so we want to look after the people around us.” The couple are also farming, holding shares in James’s family dairy support and crop operation alongside equity in a dairy farm. That background gives them a close view of the pressures farmers face. “It gives us insight into what’s going on on the ground. Every dollar counts and we don’t lose sight of that.” James got into contracting after completing a diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University then driving tractors and harvesting in the UK, USA, and Australia. He returned home in 2009 to start McLeod Cultivation, gradually building a reliable seasonal workforce and a modern plant that includes ten tractors, reversible ploughs, precision seed drills, discs, beet planters, and effluent equipment. All tractors run John Deere GreenStar for accuracy, and seeders use section control for efficient placement. The business employs nine to 10 staff at peak, and James and Shantelle credit the team for the company’s steady growth and strong client relationships. “Our staff are our biggest asset. They’re incredible operators and they take pride in doing a good job.” Despite a challenging season of hailstorms and patchy crops, the McLeods remain optimistic. “That’s farming. But being part of the farming community means we understand what our clients are dealing with, and we can help them find solutions because we’re going through it too.”
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