| 51 Almost six decades of dedicated service Rod Campbell, Malcolm Campbell, John Geraghty, Dave Geraghty. Sue Russell A fertiliser company that boasts a long and proud history, Taranaki-based Osflo Fertiliser, will next year be celebrating 60 years in business and during the course of those years it has evolved into a highly regarded supplier of customised blends, specialising in nutrient application and soil-first solutions that build healthy soils, an approach that sets it apart from the mainstream. Business Development Manager Mel Sorrensen is joined by the company’s General Manager Scott Cameron and Director Dave Geraghty as they share with Business North, just what the company is all about. “The business was established by a team of rural people who were driven by the desire to offer farmers a sustainable fertiliser and in 2002, we became the first organic fertiliser business to receive Fertmark registration, a milestone we were very proud of because it assured customers that the nutrient analysis and quality of our composted chicken litter was consistent, reliable and independently verified,” Dave says. A few years later, the composted chicken litter gained BioGro certification, giving farmers pursuing organic certification confidence that the products met the standards required for use in certified organic systems. The business is based near Inglewood, where the bulk store creates customised blends ordered by farmers. A key ingredient in Osflo’s fertiliser blends originates from the poultry industry. Chicken litter is collected by Osflo trucks and brought to site, where it is composted and pasteurised before being transformed into a valuable nutrient source. This process turns a by-product into a resource, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainable, circular nutrient management. “We work predominantly across the Taranaki region, with conventional dairy farmers making up around 80% of our customer base. RURAL SERVICES » Osflo Fertiliser STRENGTH YOU CAN COUNT ON, LOAD AFTER LOAD. Penske proudly distributes and retails a wide variety of trucks including the Western Star Trucks and MAN Truck & Bus portfolio. With industry leading warranty and low cost repair and maintenance packages, Penske provides you with the best truck for the job. And through our partnership the whole team at Osflo Fertiliser Ltd, you’ll have the best backing. penskeanz.com Peter Harrison 06 278 3054 or 027 448 0802 Regent Street, Hawera BULK SPREADERS AND TRAILERS Made in NZ with NZ components for NZ conditions • Prompt Backup Service • Drawbeams • Roll Bars • Bumpers • Chassis Alteration • Repairs and Maintenance • Structure Steel Fabrication for Buildings and Houses Proudly supporting Osflo Fertiliser Custom built bins and trailers & all associated truck and trailer work We also supply customers involved in cropping, land remediation and regenerative farming systems, giving us a diverse range of customers across a variety of land uses,” says Mel. “While dairy remains our core market, we are seeing growing opportunities in sectors beyond dairy, particularly in horticulture and kiwifruit.” Scott says the importance of soil-first farming is increasingly being recognised across the broader agricultural sector, as more farmers seek to balance productivity with long-term soil health. A benefit in providing quality organic matter to the soil is its ability to enhance soil life, reduce compaction and improve water holding capacity, characteristics that deliver sustainable long-term productive outcomes. • to page 52
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