| 53 Offering a more specialised service Aimee Wilson RURAL SERVICES » Greer Groundspraying Starting with one self-propelled sprayer, Graham slowly built up the business. Greer Groundspraying Ltd has added drone technology to its business after more than 40 years, and its has been a game changer for the Manawatu business. Owner Graham Greer and his two sons have undergone training to be officially Civil Aviation accredited to use the technology, enabling them to offer clients a more specialised service. Last winter when the Manawatu regional experienced heavy rain, it impacted being able to ground spray using traditional methods, and so the drone technology has moved the company forward with its aerial approach. “We can use it where the paddocks get too rough or wet. It’s quite an investment but it’s also been quite a process to be able to get up to speed with the training and exams.” The Marton agricultural contractor has spent 40 years witnessing the many developments and revolutions that have shaped the industry, and has enjoyed every part of the journey. Graham was brought up on a farm in the Manawatu with his father working as a hay and silage contractor. After working on farms himself and then driving diggers, followed by 20 years in chemical contracting, he established his own business in 2002. Starting with one self-propelled sprayer, the first-of-its kind in the district, he slowly built up the business, and then his two sons eventually got involved as well. Today, the business has seven machines, and they have since brought in another staff member to become trained up as well. Graham says the main point of difference between Greer Groundspraying and other companies is that they have both trucks and selfpropelling machines, so can work with a larger variety of crops and taller crops, as well. Self-propelling machines offer more ground clearance, but now also with the drone technology they can literally get a birds eye view of their client’s paddocks to work with. The crop profile in the district has also changed over time. Originally potato crops were a big thing, but the traditional ones such as maize, barley, wheat, brassicas, fodder beet, and pasture maintenance have remained their staple business. The company has work year-round, with the very busy period falling between September and the end of February. “Every day of the year weather permitting, there is at least one truck working somewhere,” he said. This winter has been relatively dry which has helped them enormously, and the team loves being out and about meeting farmers and seeing what they are all doing with their land. “Meeting farmers and seeing what they are doing and talking about their struggles, and our struggles. For a spraying contractor we are always battling the elements - wind and rain mostly. It’s one of the biggest things we have to watch.” With the increase in lifestyle blocks around the country, they also have to be mindful of where and Specialists in agricultural contracting, feed grain supply, storage & Transport Company based in Marton, servicing client needs in the Wanganui, Rangitikei & Manawatu districts. 027 274 6318 | arablesolutions.co.nz PUBLIC WEIGHBRIDGE | GRAIN PRODUCTS | AG CONTRACTING SERVICES SOLUTIONSLTD RABLE Proud supplier to Greer Groundspraying Ph. 06 879 5233 | 027 441 7909 www.agtech.co.nz | E. office@agtech.co.nz how they spray neighbouring paddocks, so as not to encroach on people’s gardens. But over the years the types of chemicals used on land has changed dramatically in terms of being more safer for the environment and the entire ecosystem. With drone technology Greer Groundspraying can literally get a birds eye view of their client’s paddocks to work with.
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