| 39 community. Dwayne, the owner and operator, leverages his extensive farming background to handle machinery and driving operations, supported by his sons and father. RURAL SERVICES » Waikato Vintage Tractor Club / Waipa Ag Services Heritage is alive A legacy grows Karen Phelps Nicki Woodlock A community of passionate tractor and machinery enthusiasts has been preserving New Zealand’s agricultural heritage for over three decades. The Waikato Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club, established in Cambridge in 1988, has grown from small beginnings into a thriving organisation that celebrates the equipment of farming’s past. The club was formed by farmer and panel beater Noel Yearbury and farm water pump servicer Mike Vagg. Both had amassed private collections before deciding to establish the club. Five years after starting, the club had grown considerably, peaking at 250 members. Today membership sits at around 165. Club secretary Brian Scott says the organisation prides itself on its inclusive atmosphere, welcoming members from diverse professional backgrounds who share a common fascination with vintage agricultural equipment. “Members come from such a range of backgrounds including two medical doctors. What sets Waikato Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club apart is its varied calendar of events. Waipa Ag Services, based in Pukeatua, is a family-owned business providing a wide range of agricultural services including bulk silage, bale silage, hay, cultivation, cropping, and farm engineering solutions and repairs. Established in 2021 by dairy farmers Dwayne and Linda Little, the business was founded as a legacy venture and an additional revenue stream alongside their dairy farm, where they’ve lived since 2006 with their family. The Littles bring decades of hands-on farming knowledge to their work, and a great understanding of the unique topography and conditions of the Waikato region. As lifelong farmers, they understand the practical needs of the local agricultural PROUD TO SUPPORT WAIKATO VINTAGE TRACTOR CLUB Offices in Otorohanga, Te Awamutu & Taumarunui info@baileyingham.co.nz | www.baileyingham.co.nz PHONE: 07 873 7325 | FREEPHONE: 0800 482 928 Quality Service to Farmers & Businesses 20 Kensington Street, Putaruru Tel: 07 883 8077 Proudly supporting Waipa Ag Services They are just as crazy on the gear as we are,” says Brian. While predominantly attracting farmers from the Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Morrinsville areas, the club boasts members from across New Zealand. It meets monthly at the Central Bowling Club in Cambridge where people meet, chat and enjoy socialising over cups of tea. “There’s rivalry that goes on with different brands and which is best. It’s all good fun and about having a great time and sharing common interests,” says Brian. He says that what sets Waikato Vintage Tractor & Machinery Club apart is its varied calendar of events designed to showcase members’ collections and provide opportunities for enthusiasts to demonstrate their machinery in action. “We have all sorts of events through the year including a scoop day with tractors with scoops. We hold them on a farm and scoop some earth around any members’ property to help them out and have a bit of fun,” says Brian. These gatherings serve a practical purpose for townie members who otherwise lack suitable spaces to operate their equipment. Engineering services at Waipa Ag are overseen by Andrew Robison, a lifelong friend and skilled engineer with over 25 years of experience. The family-run aspect of the agricultural contracting business extends into all aspects of the operation -Jack, at 18, is one of the main operators; Ben, a student, helps both on the farm and in the business; Graham, Dwayne’s father, is a regular driver; and Chris, the eldest son, is also actively involved. What sets Waipa Ag Services apart, according to Dwayne Little, is: “The fact that we are farmers - we understand the farming side of the business. We understand what dairy farmers require. Plus, we are the only business offering engineering services in the Pukeatua region.” Their dedication to quality and customer satisfaction is evident across all their services. Whether it’s silage, hay, cropping or cultivation, the team aims to deliver exceptional results for fellow local farmers. Their strong ties to the Waikato farming community form the foundation of their service philosophy. As Dwayne puts it: “We make the best quality silage. We focus on quality rather than quantity. We understand what you want to get out of your grass silage.” Waipa Ag Services brings deep knowledge of seasonal cropping and cultivation, ensuring that harvesting and baling are timed perfectly for optimal results. The team adapts throughout the year to meet seasonal demands. “We try to satisfy our customers’ needs as best as we can,” says Little. Equipped with modern, high-performance machinery - such as round baler wrappers, loader wagons, mowers and cropping equipment - the team delivers reliable, high-quality services. Their offerings also include eco-friendly direct drilling and planting. They can drill a range of crops including chicory, turnips, kale, whole crop, sorghum, millet, and oats. In addition to harvesting and cultivation, Waipa Ag Services provides on-site and workshop based engineering solutions. These include welding applications and machinery repairs to help farmers maintain peak operational performance. Recent engineering projects have included silage wagon rebuilds, a custom-built 3m topper, feed bucket repairs, and installing a head bale system in a cow shed. Looking to the future, Jack plans to take the reins and continue growing the contracting for Waipa Ag Services. As Little explains: “My focus will be on growing the whole overall family business providing a future legacy for my family.” “Your partner might not be happy with your scooping up earth on your lawn in the city so we go out and have some fun. It’s classic boys with their toys,” says Brian with a laugh. The club’s activities include community service. Members participate in Christmas parades, visit care homes with their machinery and provide practical assistance at local events. “One thing we do in the second week of February at Lake Karapiro is our tractors are used to launch the hydroplane boats for the races. We spend about two days doing that to help them out,” Brian explains. The organisation also facilitates knowledge- sharing through maintenance days where members with technical expertise demonstrate repair techniques for vintage tractors. Additionally, ‘shed raids’ allow members to view private collections from their own and neighbouring clubs. “Shed raids and tractor treks really bring the members out of the woodwork,” says Brian. Perhaps most anticipated is the Club Rally with the next scheduled for March 2026 at the Morrinsville Show Grounds. “It’s a big vintage show for the community and brings the city people to rural life, showing them what we’re about and helping bridge the divide. It’s an amazing event. Kids can sit on the tractors and it’s really great to see how much fun everyone has.” Contact 07 889-0598 service@mgfs.co.nz www.mcgregorsfarmservices.co.nz Proud to be associated with the Waikato Vintage Tractor Club
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