| 61 Serving generations Supporting farmers For more than three decades, D&J Fitzgerald Transport has been a familiar sight on roads across the lower North Island, moving livestock for generations of farming families and helping keep the Wairarapa agricultural sector running through every season. Based in northern Wairarapa near Pahiatua, the family business has built its reputation on reliability, practical know-how, and strong relationships with farmers who depend on transport operators to keep stock moving efficiently and safely. Owner Dean Fitzgerald says the company was established in 1992 after he identified a need for another rural carrier in the district. “I have been driving since 1980,” Dean says. “I worked for a local carrier, went to Australia and drove over there, then came home and worked for another company. I could see there was room for another operator, so Jane and I started our own business.” Dean says livestock transport appeals because it is hands-on and people focused. “There is a real personal touch to it. Farmers are always there to give you a hand loading and you get to have a good chat. As a driver, you are really in public relations. Our drivers are the front line of the business, and they have great PR skills.” That approach has helped D&J Fitzgerald Transport retain long-standing customers, with some farming families using the company for generations. “I have clients who have been with me from the start. We are transporting for the third generation now.” Dean grew up on a farm in northern Wairarapa and says stock sense is essential. Worthington Agriculture has grown from a part time hedge mulching operation into a broadscale contracting business supporting farmers across Taranaki, with owner Shayden Worthington building his business around practical service, strong relationships, and an understanding of life on the land. Worthington Agriculture now offers hedge mulching, cultivation, drilling, round baling, hay and silage, pit silage with loader wagons, and general agricultural contracting. Shayden says steady growth and farmer demand have driven the business forward since it began in 2021. “I started part time while I was working as a mechanic and doing hedge mulching on the side,” Shayden says. “I hired a farmer’s machine and picked up jobs from there, then I bought my own machine and went full time.” Since then, Worthington Agriculture has expanded through strategic purchases. “I bought a spray business, then a cultivation business, and last year I bought a silage business,” Shayden says. “I dropped the spraying side because it was too hard to manage both spraying and silage, and it can be difficult finding people with the right tickets for spraying.” The move into silage work made sense after Shayden had already been involved with the operation. “I knew the customers and workload, so bringing it into my own business was a natural fit.” Worthington Agriculture now supports a loyal client base throughout Taranaki, with hedge mulching work taking the team further afield when needed. “Farmers like knowing who is coming onto their farm and building a relationship with the driver or with me,” Shayden says. “And we all take a lot of pride in our work.” Worthington Agriculture employs one full time worker and experienced seasonal staff during the busy months from November to February. Weather has been the biggest challenge this season, with persistent rain creating strong grass growth but making contracting work difficult. “Too much rain is good for growth, but hard for us,” Shayden says. “We had short weather REGIONAL FOCUS » Worthington Agriculture Worthington Agriculture has expanded through strategic purchases. REGIONAL FOCUS » D&J Fitzgerald Transport TOTAL TRUCK SPRAY PANELBEATING & SPRAYPAINTING Proudly Supporting D&J Fitzgerald Transport Ph: 06 355 4100 totaltruckspray@gmail.com CONTACT US Kevin Hall Phone 06 374 9161 After Hours 027 531 3061 independenttyres2002@hotmail.co.nz 5 Miller Street Dannevirke Cars ●Trucks ●Tractors ● ATV sales@gfhydraulics.co.nz 06 755 2400 CONTACT US GF Hyrdraulics provides quality mobile hydraulic and hose repair services. We are the world leaders in motion and control technology through the Parker Hannifin group of products. Fabrication & Welding General Engineering Repairs & Maintenance SCOTT TURNER 027 826 8079 scott@turnerengineering.co.nz 118 Orlando Street Stratford “You cannot just take anyone off the street and put them into livestock transport. You need stock sense. You have to be able to read animals.” Driver shortages remain one of the biggest challenges. “We need another driver now, and it is really hard to get drivers these days. A rural driver usually needs to have grown up around farming.” He says fewer young people are exposed to trucks and rural work early on. “Years ago kids would go with their parents in the truck. That does not happen now, and it has had a big impact on the industry.” Rising costs are also placing pressure on operators especially the way fuel is on the constant increase, along with road user charges. “It makes things very tough, especially when other costs are climbing as well.” Despite this, the business is preparing for the busy winter months when stock movements increase and conditions become more demanding. “Winter is always a busy time. Every farm is different and every day is different. You are always thinking ahead, working out how many pens you need and how to load safely. Sometimes you get into a paddock and it is straightforward, other times it is a real challenge just getting the trailer in.” Behind the scenes, wife Jane keeps operations running. “Jane runs the show. She sorts the drivers and the scheduling, and I think about it all on the road and feed it back to her.” For Dean, the work still comes back to the same thing that got him started decades ago, the variety of the job and the connection to rural life. “It is hard work, but every day is different. You are not going to the same place, and every farm throws something new at you. That is what keeps you thinking and keeps you going.” windows, so when the chance was there we had to move quickly.” That has required careful planning and sometimes splitting work across more farms so everyone receives timely service. “At times we might do five hectares instead of 20 just to get around more people and keep everyone happy.” Wet conditions also impacted haymaking, with fewer opportunities to get crops dry enough to bale. Like many rural contractors, rising fuel costs remain another pressure point. “We cannot carry all of that cost, so some of it has to be passed on,” Shayden says. “Because we are farmers, we understand what farmers can absorb and what they cannot.” That farming background, combined with his diesel mechanic experience, has also helped control machinery costs. “It definitely helps being a mechanic. I still need people to help but I can do most of the tractor work myself and that keeps costs down.” With expansion largely complete, Shayden says the focus is now on upgrading machinery and improving efficiency, including a recent investment in a new McHale Fusion Varia combi baler. “Taranaki can be challenging to farm because the mountain attracts a lot of rain, but it does grow great grass,” he says. “Farmers here work hard and the community is close. That is what makes it a great place to be involved in agriculture.” Karen Phelps Karen Phelps
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