| 67 Herberts Transport acquires three more Scott Hutton says the acquisitions have dramatically expanded the company’s coverage area. Karen Phelps Herberts Transport has doubled in size through the recent acquisition of three iconic Southland transport businesses, positioning the century-old company at the forefront of innovation as it has also added additional services. The Edendale-based company, established in 1918, has acquired Kapuka Transport in Kapuka and Tokanui, Heenans Transport and Phillips Transport in Woodlands, Hedgehope and Rakahouka. Phillips Transport holds the distinction of being New Zealand’s oldest rural transport company just predating Herberts itself. One of Herberts owners Scott Hutton says the acquisitions have dramatically expanded the company’s coverage area now servicing from Bluff to the Caitlins, extending to Kaiwera and down to Mataura, Edendale and Woodlands. Jointly owned by Dynes Transport, HWR Richardson and Scott, this has led to significant innovations in services. “We try to focus on anything that adds value to clients’ farming operations,” says Scott. Scott’s background in engineering, farming and transport, combined with his previous business being amalgamated into Herberts, has brought fresh perspective to the 105-year-old company. The most visible innovation has been the introduction of agricultural drones for fertiliser application. “The technology mitigates industry challenges including truck rollover risks on steep terrain and paddock damage from conventional spreading methods. Farmers can also suffer up to 10% damage to crop from a ground-based spreader going in so drones reduce that to nil making it an overall more cost-effective option. We can also easily avoid critical source areas and exclusion zones by mapping the paddocks and avoiding human error.” The drone service allows precise programming to apply fertiliser exactly where needed, eliminating the environmental and financial costs of over- application or damage to sensitive areas. This is proven to be effective when gorse and broom spraying. “The demand is there, it’s just something new for farmers so it’s been about telling them the benefits,” explains Ben Halstead, the company’s operations manager. Another new innovation is the company’s new umbilical effluent injection service. “It’s the most environmentally friendly and efficient way of spreading effluent. We can pump up to 8km from the pond. A tractor sits on the end of a pump sucking out of the pond with an 8km delivery hose. Then a John Deere 8RX tractor sits in the paddock spreading effluent with a machine that does 12m in one pass,” says Scott. He says the system delivers significant environmental and operational benefits, reducing ground compaction and improving nutrient uptake. The effluent is injected directly into the root zone rather than applied to plant surfaces, improving RURAL SERVICES » Herberts Transport grass recovery and reducing nitrogen losses to the atmosphere by up to 20 per cent. “There is also no ponding and no crop damage because there is no need to drag a hose across the grass and there is no smearing of effluent on the crop or grass from the hose dramatically reducing the effluent smell when spreading,” explains Ben. The company is further expanding its services through the addition of Scott’s brother Lachie Hutton as a new shareholder. Lachie will introduce wood chipping services using two diggers for tree removal and converting timber into chip for calving and wintering sheds. From its humble beginnings carting whey with horse and dray in 1918, Herberts now operates 47 trucks and 9 tractors 2 diggers with 64 staff members. Other services include bulk cartage and stock food delivery, utilising 4 blower trucks for efficient distribution alongside heavy and light haulage capabilities. The company provides traditional fertiliser sowing services complemented Herberts Transport Specialists in All Auto Electrical Repairs & Servicing 4 V i c tor i a Avenue , I nv ercarg i l l Phone 03 2 1 8 3 200 Proudly associated with Herberts Transport admin@ajautoelectr i cal .net .nz If it’s got a tyre, we can help. For all Commercial, Agricultural, Car & 4WD Tyres. Proud Suppliers to Herberts Transport CONTACT US (03) 208 8110 - 24hr on call service 25 Ashton Street, Gore www.gore.carterstyres.co.nz by its modern drone aerial application technology. Livestock cartage remains fundamental to operations, transporting stock for farmers and major processing companies including Alliance, ANZCO and Silverfern Farms. Liquid cartage services encompass both effluent injection using the company’s advanced umbilical system and conventional muck spreading.
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