| 89 30 years of building a strong client base Aimee Wilson From the Ruahine Ranges to the East Coast, Hilltop Spraying has your farm covered when it comes to agricultural spraying. Warren Greville has been in the game for 30 years and has built up a strong client base in rural Hawkes Bay based near Mangatahi, 30 kms west of Hastings. Experienced in all aspects of pasture broadacre and crop spraying, he’s developed a great understanding of the topography of properties within a 100km radius, and can recommend the right chemical application for your land and farming operation. Technology has advanced hugely in three decades - when his business first started, he was just using a 4wd tractor carrying 1000l of water with an 8m boom. He now drives a 4wd truck with an 18m boom, equipped with GPS and carrying 3000l of water. Most of his clients are arable farmers who he’s been working with for many years, now he’s working with the sons and daughters as the next generation comes through. Building these strong relationships is vital for the success of his company. Weather is the biggest challenge in this industry. Some areas are quite wind prone. Warren prides himself on being able to advise on the best application for your land, “if you can get away with not spraying it, we will advise not to, and sometimes there are better alternatives.” He understands the importance of reducing the use of agrichemicals which not only saves the planet but also saves the farmers’ pocket. Bureaucracy also plays a big part in this industry, with limits now placed on how much chemical can be applied to the land. He’s interested in the companies that are trialing new environmental products, but stringent rules from the Government means they all take time to be approved. “Some of these can take years and years.” Just like antibiotics, plants start to become resistant to chemical applications, so it is important that new ones are being developed all the time. “Any overuse creates problems so we have to introduce new technology to this industry. There has been a huge amount of trial work over the years but only the odd product gets across the line. The cost to these companies is sometimes just not worth it,” he said. New technology is also starting to become available in the industry, such as drones with spray gear attached, but they can only hold 50l of water and therefore limited in their capacity. Warren grew up on a farm and was interested in the agrichemical industry, but he spent 12 years in the stock and station business before establishing himself in spraying. Now a Registered Chemical Applicator, he often teams up with another contractor to get work done during the busier times, but enjoys the no hassle RURAL SERVICES » Hilltop Spraying Proud supplier to Hilltop Spraying Ph. 06 879 5233 | 027 441 7909 www.agtech.co.nz | E. office@agtech.co.nz and simplicity of being a smaller operator. Warren still loves the work he does and looks back at how far he has come, which proves if you have the drive and ambition, with sheer hard work and determination you can do anything. Warren prides himself on being able to advise on the best application for your land. “If you can get away with not spraying it, we will advise not to, and sometimes there are better alternatives.”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=