| 61 A shift towards regenerative farming Kelly Deeks “With compost it’s not an instant hit like synthetic fertiliser. It takes a long time for the structure of the soil to change and the organisms within it to activate.” RURAL SERVICES » Kahurangi Spreading Motueka’s Kahurangi Spreading is supporting local horticulture and viticulture industries and hop growers with the services they need for optimum compliant production, with a new compost spreading service to improve soil structure and moisture retention, increase organic matter, and protect against temperature changes. Nick Berkett has owned and operated Kahurangi Spreading since 2020, buying the existing Motueka Spreading from its founder Keith Lindup after working there for some years. Nick’s passion for farming dates back to his childhood, when he would spend school holidays helping out on the family farm in Canterbury. From tractor driving and discing to stacking bales, Nick has always enjoyed working with farm machinery and large equipment. Now specialising in the spreading of all types of products on all varieties of crops from apples to kiwifruit and hops to paddocks, Nick soon saw a change in demand from traditional synthetic fertiliser to more natural and regenerative products, and invested in a new spreading machine designed for spreading compost and to fit down the narrowest, tightest, and lowest rows, with everything mapped via GPS for proof of placement. Some local outfits provide compost but the hops industry makes its own. “They get a lot of compost because they only use the cone of the hop, and the rest of the hop plant is composted.” An important part of completing the nutrient cycle, compost application reintegrates many nutrients and soil binding properties, but provides a much slower response than the immediate effects of synthetic fertiliser. “It’s not an instant hit. It takes a long time for the structure of the soil to change and the organisms within it to activate.”Meanwhile sheep and beef farmers are making a significant shift towards regenerative farming nationally and are using less synthetic and more natural and sustainable products. As farmers target increased dry matter and clover, improved weight gains and overall animal performance, improved drainage and drought resistance, a reduction in the requirement for nitrogen fertiliser, and increased income with lower cost, Kahurangi Spreading has recently been doing an increasing amount of work with New Zealand soil health improvement products from Functional Fertiliser and Soil Matters. Kahurangi Spreading has been accurately applying these natural nitrogen fixers and humus builders via GPS to assist farmers with their trials of new products. As the hops, apples, and kiwifruit growers struggle with a worldwide lapse in demand, Kahurangi Spreading still delivers value for money services which keep its clients performing with healthy, productive soils. • EARTHWORKS • SUBDIVISIONS SERVICES INCLUDING: 03 526 7719 admin@chambersandjackett.co.nz • DRAINAGE • POST DRIVING Proudly Supporting Kahurangi Spreading PH: 03 528 9065 | 32 KING EDWARD STREET - MOTUEKA • On farm service technicians • Full workshop facilities 41 YEARS IN BUSINESS Proud to supply tractors to Kahurangi Spreading Kahurangi Spreading has recently been doing more work with New Zealand soil health improvement products.
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