84 | RURAL SERVICES » Jordan Brand Contracting / Maniototo Sheep Handling Ongoing investment Focus on efficiency Kelly Deeks Alexia Anderson After a decade in business, Tapanui-based Jordan Brand Contracting continues to grow with new investment into machinery which enhances capabilities and keeps farmers across West Otago moving through the seasons. Jordan Brand Contracting has built its reputation on high quality drainage, lane work, rock carting, and water scheme upgrades — the essential jobs that keep farms operating efficiently. Jordan says the business’s newest investment, a 14-tonne digger, reflects the steady demand for this work and the need for machinery that can handle heavier jobs. “Our eight-tonne digger has served us well, but it was a bit small for everything we needed to do,” Jordan says. “A couple of years ago we added a 20-tonne machine, and the 14 just slots in nicely in the middle. It gives us more flexibility for the type of work we’re doing every day.” That work includes a strong focus on farm drainage, particularly through spring when ground conditions demand fast, efficient solutions. Winter, Jordan says, brings a shift toward lane work and rock carting as farmers prepare for calving and the busy months ahead. “We’re heavy into these services and there’s always plenty of them needed around here,” he says. Maniototo Sheep Handling (MSH) is meeting demand across the wider district, providing specialised conveyor services during the sector’s busiest seasons. Owner-operators Jeremy and Amanda Hore purchased the business in October 2019, bringing with them a wealth of industry knowledge, along with a strong focus on efficiency, animal health and client relationships. Jeremy says taking ownership of a business marked a career milestone and long-held ambition, they both shared. “It had always been an aspiration of ours to own our own business and with being a sales rep in the rural sector for 20 years previously, animal health has always been a focus and being able to take this knowledge to MSH has been key to the success in this line of work.” Jeremy’s background in animal health has helped shape the way the business operates today. “It’s not just about doing the job, it’s knowing why you are doing it and being able to offer advice on the products they are using and being able to train the staff on what they are using too.” Although the business has grown and evolved over the past 30 years under various names and owners, Jeremy and Amanda have remained focused on its main strengths. “We’ve stuck to the core business of conveyor work, dipping and tailing, and linked in with a local crutching trailer operator to offer crutching to our clients.” Jeremy says efficiency and animal welfare are a key aspect of the operation, with versatility being one of the major benefits of the system. “One of the advantages of our conveyor system is it’s quick and easy to set up, can be moved easily and is longer than most so we can process ewes and lambs a lot more comfortably with more room to move and also allowing more jobs to be done effortlessly.” He says one of the benefits of being fully mobile is MSH’s ability to access various farm locations, including sheep yards, holding pens or temporary yards, allowing them to get the job done “simply” for the farmer. The conveyor also reduces stress and time pressure during intensive jobs. CONTACT DION 027 320 0249 O’LEARY REPAIRS LTD Covering West Otago & beyond, providing mechanical repairs to all machinery. Also supplying oil, grease, etc. for all your mechanical needs. Running alongside the repairs business, we also run a haulage company moving/carting water, bales, wool, etc., and a trough cleaning service. Machinery Servicing Machinery Repairs Farm Maintenance On-Site Welding Haulage & Field Services Parts & Supplies Sales (Oil, Grease, etc.) Contract Driving Cartage & Water Supplies Trough Cleaning Mechanical &Maintenance Phone Nat 027 5037 889 | Bryce 027 6646 668 • Sheep Conveyors • Tailing Conveyors • Tailing Pens REDAN VALLEY ENGINEERING LTD Manufacturers & Suppliers of: Sheep Handling Equipment CONTRACT TAILING CONVEYORING DRENCHING VACCINATING DIPPING EARTAGGING JEREMY HORE 027 4449 109 “We also do pipework for new or existing water schemes. If someone’s system isn’t performing well, we can upgrade it, or if they’ve bought a new block and need to get water to it, we sort that too.” Jordan’s path into contracting began straight out of school, spending several years driving tractors for local operators. When the opportunity came to buy his first digger and truck, he jumped at it — slowly building a fleet that now includes multiple diggers, tip trucks and a transporter. A major step forward came two to three years ago when he purchased part of another contracting business, including the 20-tonne digger that significantly expanded his capability. Ten years on, Jordan Brand Contracting is firmly established as a trusted partner to farmers across the region. This season’s weather patterns have played into the team’s hands, providing ideal conditions for the type of work they specialise in. “The winter was awesome for doing lanes — a lot drier than normal,” Jordan says. “Spring got a wee bit wet, but overall, the weather has been pretty good to us this season.” With the agricultural sector being more positive over the last year it has encouraged farmers to tackle long-planned maintenance and infrastructure improvements. Jordan says the increase in work has been noticeable. “When payouts are strong, people get onto those jobs that maybe haven’t been done for a while,” he says. “In general, there’s a lot more work around — especially the kind we do.” Jordan Brand Contracting remains purposely small, with Jordan and one staff member delivering personalized service across the district. It’s an approach Jordan believes sets the business apart. “It’s nice and small and personalized,” he says. “We treat their farm like it’s our own, and we like to do the best job for the best price. That’s something farmers really appreciate.” With a growing fleet, strong demand, and a commitment to doing the job right, Jordan looks set to continue supporting West Otago agriculture for many seasons to come. “With the conveyor we can come in, set up, do the job and move on to the next [which means] less stress on the animal, less time in the yards, [and] the lambs/ewes are back out grazing in their paddocks in no time.” However, modern tailing jobs have additional steps now added, compared to the traditional task, which often now includes drenching and vaccinating lambs, tagging, using pain relief, treating scabby mouth and spraying for fly protection.” Jeremy says being flexible was key to the success of MSH. “Weather can change, locations can alter, planning and having good tools for recording makes things a lot simpler for booking in repeat business.” While every customer is valuable, it is repeat work that remains the backbone of the business. “Our booking calendar is generally mirrored from the previous seasons, which makes things straightforward when it comes to planning your week.” Looking ahead, Jeremy says technology and innovation will play an important role, but community remains crucial. “We haven’t got where we are today without the support of our clients and community.” 25 Boundary St, Tapanui 027 309 7032 otagoruralengineering@gmail.com STEEL FABRICATION - DESIGN, MANUFACTURING & INSTALLING Otago Rural Engineering Jeremy says taking ownership of a business marked a career milestone and long-held ambition.
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