72 | RURAL SERVICES » Pig Burn Contracting Providing farmers with practical solutions Kelly Deeks In Central Otago, Pig Burn Contracting is built on a simple philosophy: deliver the best job, supply the best product, and provide farmers with practical solutions when they need them most. Owner Mike Newth says that approach has underpinned the business’s steady growth across the Maniototo and Strath Taieri, helping local farmers stay on top of feed, cultivation, and general land management in increasingly challenging seasons. Mike says the business focuses on reliability, quality, and attention to detail. “We always aim to do the tidiest job we can,” he says. “We don’t take shortcuts, and we don’t want farmers opening a stack of silage and saying, ‘This doesn’t look right.’ We want them to open it and say, ‘This is really good stuff.’ That’s what matters.” Silage and baleage make up the core of Pig Burn Contracting’s workload, with the business handling everything from mowing and raking to baling and wrapping. As seasonal patterns shift and grass growth becomes less predictable, the demand for high-quality supplementary feed continues to grow. Mike says farmers lean on Pig Burn Contracting for dependable supply, including baleage, straw, hay, and silage, especially in seasons where growth falls behind or dry weather forces earlier feeding out. The business is also supporting farmers through a full range of cultivation services, including ploughing, soil preparation, and drilling. GPS-equipped machinery ensures sowing accuracy and consistency across paddocks. A growing portion of work now comes from jobs picked up while on farm for silage. “You might be there for baleage and the farmer needs some drilling done,” Mike says. “Being local and reliable means we get asked to do more.” Pig Burn Contracting operates a 20-ton digger for excavation work including drain cleaning, tree clearing, and track maintenance, with truck cartage transporting baleage, straw, hay, machinery, and equipment as required. Collaboration is another strength. Mike says working alongside contractors such as H&M Contracting in Hindon, Sutton contracting and Middlemarch Excavation ensures farmers always have the help they need. “we are all very supportive in time of need,” he says. “It works really well.” Now in its seventh season, the business is run alongside the family’s 500-hectare sheep and beef farm at Patearoa, where much of the supplementary feed is produced. Mike says the business focuses on reliability, quality, and attention to detail. Eight staff work across the operation during peak season, supported by Mike’s wife Jenny McDonald and their children Case, Jay and Marshell whenever they are home. Case is training as a diesel mechanic and Jay is exploring underwater welding, skills Mike says will always be valuable in the agricultural sector. Mike grew up on a dairy farm and has been driving tractors since he “could reach the pedals.” After years working for local contractors, he saw the chance to go out on his own, building Pig Burn Contracting on the family farm bordering Pig Burn Creek. “I’ve got diesel in my veins,” he says. “I love driving and striving to do the best job possible and supply farmers with the best product. That’s what keeps this business going.”
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