| 43 RURAL SERVICES » MyNoke Natural soil amendment is a game changer MyNoke’s products can complement conventional fertiliser programmes. Karen Phelps The humble earthworm is helping Kiwi farmers to transform their soils and their bottom lines. New Zealand company MyNoke is the world’s largest vermicomposting operation by volume and has been pioneering the industrial-scale production of vermicast (pure earthworm castings) since 2007, creating a natural soil amendment that improves farm productivity. “Healthy soils are the foundation of life, providing the nutrients that sustain us and supporting the balance and stability of our ecosystems,” says Jenny Ford, Business Development, Logistics & Marketing Manager at MyNoke. “Our vermicast products help farmers rebuild soil structure and biological activity that may have been compromised through intensive farming practices.” Jenny explains that earthworms are nature’s own ‘soil engineers’. “They aerate the soil as they tunnel through it, improving its structure and allowing roots to penetrate easily. Thanks to earthworms, water, air, and nutrients move more freely, creating an environment where plants can thrive. Through their digestive system, earthworms transform organic matter into nutrient-packed vermicast. The result is a high-quality natural soil conditioner.” Operating from sites in Taupo, Tokoroa, and Ohakune, MyNoke has diverted more than 1.4 million tonnes of organic waste from landfill. It processes this waste, including food scraps, paper, biosolids and industrial food sludges, using billions of earthworms that transform it into valuable vermicast. Jenny says that farmers using MyNoke’s products report significant improvements in soil health and agricultural productivity. “Vermicast is full of natural plant growth bio- stimulants that boost root growth and activity,” explains Jenny. “This increases nutrient uptake and provides plants with greater access to water in the root zone, which is particularly valuable during dry periods.” For farmers concerned about rising fertiliser costs, she says that vermicast offers an attractive option that can reduce reliance on synthetic inputs. “Traditional fertilisers deliver nutrients in a highly soluble form, which can lead to quick uptake but also nutrient loss into groundwater,” says Jenny. “Our vermicast provides a slow and steady release of nutrients, ensuring plants get what they need over time while reducing fertiliser loss.” She says recent research conducted at Massey University demonstrated that vermicast enhances soil structure and fertility, leading to improved seed germination and increased plant productivity. These benefits contribute to sustainable farming practices by potentially reducing the need for chemical fertilisers while promoting long-term soil health. What makes the approach particularly effective is how vermicast works with existing farm systems. Unlike some alternative approaches that require complete system overhauls, MyNoke’s products can complement conventional fertiliser programmes. “Both worm castings and traditional fertilisers have their place in soil management,” explains Jenny. BASED IN TAUPO, COVERING THE CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND. Filling of water tanks, swimming pools, for events & more! Bulk trucks available for carting aggregate, animal supplements, fertiliser, vermicast etc Contact Phone Number - 027 692 2269 info@doubleh2go.co.nz | www.doubleh2go.co.nz 3 TRUCK SIZES AVAILABLE! Keeping farming businesses flowing Taupo and Tokoroa based bulk water and general cartage company Double H2Go has forged a successful business on supplying essential services that keep New Zealand's agricultural businesses lowing. Established in 2012 by husband and wife team Daniel and Juliet Harris, it has grown signi icantly. "I was working in the electricity sector and we couldn't get a water truck on site. Sitting around we thought - why doesn't someone go and buy one? Everyone else backed out but Julz and I bought a truck and that was our irst job. We went from there," says Daniel. What began as a solution to a single problem has evolved into a comprehensive service o ering that now includes bulk water delivery, specialised transport services, and emergency water solutions for rural properties and businesses. The company's relationship with MyNoke, the world's largest vermicomposting operation, showcases how it has diversi ied its services to meet industry needs. What started as a simple water delivery job quickly developed into something more substantial. "I got a phone call one night asking if we could ill a water tank in the bush. That was our irst job for MyNoke," explains Daniel. "They also asked us if we could help move their product via bulk trucks so that started our bulk cartage service, which we now o er to other clients as well." Double H2Go now plays a crucial role in MyNoke's circular economy model, transporting organic waste materials from various locations to MyNoke's processing facilities, and then delivering the inished vermicast product to farms and horticultural operations throughout the region. With six bulk tipper trucks in its leet, Double H2Go can transport various agricultural goods for other clients including fertiliser, quarry products, stock rock and pumice. Meanwhile it continues to provide essential water services with two 14,000-litre tanker trucks that deliver drinking-grade water across a wide service area. Daniel says the water delivery service has become particularly vital during summer months when rural water supplies come under pressure. The company also o ers solutions for dust control on large sites, ire watch support in high-risk situations and emergency water tanks for hire. Registered with Taumata Arowai, the water services regulator for New Zealand, Double H2Go adheres to strict guidelines and undergoes annual audits to maintain its compliance certi icate, ensuring all water it supplies meets necessary quality standards. Daniel says the company's success story re lects the entrepreneurial spirit often found in rural New Zealand - identifying a need and developing practical solutions that evolve with market demands. Both Daniel and Juliet remain hands-on in the business, both driving trucks with Daniel handling much of the maintenance work while Juliet manages the books. Together with their team of approximately ten sta members, they take pride in serving the rural community. “For many farmers, a balanced approach, combining both where appropriate, can be the most effective way to maintain productivity and soil resilience.” She says that MyNoke’s vermicast is suitable for various agricultural applications, including pastures, cropping, horticulture and even specialised uses like glasshouses and nurseries. It can be applied using conventional fertiliser spreaders or muck spreaders, making it accessible for most farming operations.
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