90 | RURAL SERVICES » Marshall Ag Baleage / Mt Lyford Contracting Ltd Committed to quality A well trusted name Mt Lyford Contracting is well-known for its versatility and reliability. Kelly Deeks Kelly Deeks Family-run, farmer-focused, and committed to quality, Outram-based Marshall Ag and Baleage has built a strong reputation across Otago for reliability, fair pricing, and hands-on service, all delivered with a friendly, family touch. Owned and operated by Peter Marshall, the business services an expansive area from Middlemarch to Taieri and south to Milton. With a solid team of five, including Peter’s wife Sarah, brother-in-law Heath Frew, and a young local couple, Marshall Ag and Baleage has completed a busy winter period selling winter feed and helping with farm maintenance and feeding out, and is now looking ahead to an equally busy spring. One of Marshall Ag’s key points of difference is its straightforward pricing structure. The business offers customers a fixed price per bale and only charges for the hours actually worked. “It gives our farmers a bit of surety in their pricing,” Peter says. “They know exactly what they’re getting, and there are no surprises.” That transparency, combined with Peter’s commitment to quality and being personally involved in every job, has seen the business continue to grow. “Our staff are more than capable of doing a high-standard job, they’re excellent. But I like to be on-site because our customers know me, and they like dealing with me directly. That personal connection has always helped us win a lot of repeat work.” A trusted name in civil and rural contracting across North Canterbury, Mt Lyford Contracting is now heading into a new era as the next generation of the Powell family steps up to help steer the business forward. Sam Powell has recently bought into the business started by his father Mike more than 20 years ago, taking over the share of Mike’s former business partner. Now, with Sam on board as managing director and Mike continuing as director, Mt Lyford Contracting remains a true family-run operation with deep roots in the local community. “I’ve just bought into the business, but I’ve always been around it,” Sam says. “Now it’s just the two of us running things, and we’ve got a really solid team of three staff helping us keep up with demand.” Based between Culverden and Kaikoura in the heart of North Canterbury, Mt Lyford Contracting is well-known for its versatility and reliability. While the company began with a focus on track and road development, it has grown to offer a wide range of contracting services including water storage solutions, trenching and pipe-laying, demolition, and dairy conversions. The team is currently busy supporting the region’s booming forestry sector, particularly with the construction and maintenance of forestry roads. As large-scale harvesting ramps up across the region, contractors like Mt Lyford are in demand to ensure access to remote sites. Marshall Ag and Baleage is also evolving its fleet, recently making the switch from Case IH to Massey Ferguson tractors, supported by local machinery dealer JJ Ltd. “We bought our first Massey Ferguson about a year ago, and I’ve just bought a second – an 8S.265, which is a big tractor and great for our roller drilling work,” Peter says. “We moved to Massey mainly because of price and the backup service provided by JJ’s. They have been fantastic. If there’s a problem, they’re onto it straight away, no mucking around.” Peter works closely with JJ’s sales rep Tony Scanlon, and he values the dealer’s down-to-earth, family-oriented approach. “Tony’s just a good bloke and JJ’s really look after us. That level of service means a lot when you’re relying on your gear every day.” With a Massey Ferguson fleet and a Fendt baler now in action, Marshall Ag and Baleage is well equipped to meet the demands of Otago’s farming community, but Peter says it’s the team’s values and work ethic that really set the business apart. “We’re just a family business out there doing the job right, and doing it for the right price,” he says. “It’s always been about relationships. If something goes wrong, we’re not afraid to front up, talk about it, and sort it out straight away. That’s how we’ve always operated.” For Marshall Ag and Baleage, it’s not just about getting the job done, it’s about doing it well, standing behind it, and backing the people they work with every step of the way. “There’s a lot of forestry harvesting happening up here at the moment,” Sam says. “We’re involved in road and lane construction so the logging crews can get their equipment in and get the wood out. It’s steady work, and it keeps us busy.” Even with increased demand, Mt Lyford Contracting prides itself on staying true to its small business values. Every job, no matter the size, is treated with the same attention to detail and commitment to quality. That approach has helped the business grow through word-of-mouth and long-standing relationships with local farmers, forestry companies, and other rural clients. With more than two decades under their belt, the Powells have built a reputation for practical solutions, adaptability, and being willing to go wherever the job is. “We’ll always go to the client, and that’s part of our service,” Sam says. “We believe the best way to understand a job is to walk the site with the client. That way we can figure out exactly what needs to be done and how we can make it happen.” Despite their boots-on-the-ground approach, Sam acknowledges there’s some room to modernise in future. With Sam stepping up to help lead Mt Lyford Contracting into the future, the strong family values the business was built on can continue. “We’ve got a great team and a strong foundation,” he says. “We’re proud to be part of this community, and we’re going to keep doing good work for the people here.” Farm machinery sales, servicing and repairs otagotractor@xtra.co.nz 23 Gladstone Road, Mosgiel 9024 (03) 484 7417 otagotractorrepairs.co.nz Otago Tractor Repairs Call Chris for all your building needs, big or small. 027 215 5577 office@scarletconstruction.co.nz www.scarletconstruction.co.nz We match the right size gear for the right job Contact Mike 0272156307 Sam 0273512422 www.mt-lyford.co.nz Proudly servicing the Hurunui for all your Earth working requirements for the last 22 years. We operate a wide range of machinery including Excavators, Dozers, Rollers, Graders, Loaders, Trucks, Transporters and much more. Marshall Ag & Baleage Ltd SERVICES OFFERED • Baleage - running 2 hard centred bailers individual wrap or tube • Hay - round bails up to 5 feet • Silage - Running claas jag 870 chopper • Cultivation - plough, power harrow, level-roll, discing, direct drill, roller drill • Tractor - tip trailer • Bail carting • Fencing • Mulching of gorse & broom • Firewood • Staff for winter feeding SERVICE IS KEY PETE - 027 464 3321 Using a FencePro Ultra G2 4.5m, which has a MastShift kit, mounted on a Sidemount 900 base.
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