| 103 Two significant milestones this year Today’s farmers expect accurate fertiliser placement, proof of placement for regulatory compliance, and operators who can meet increasingly complex environmental requirements. Kelly Deeks Spreading North Canterbury is celebrating two significant milestones this year, marking its 20th anniversary while owner Gary Carr has been recognised with the 2026 Ballance AgriNutrients President’s Award at the Groundspread NZ Awards for his longstanding contribution to the industry. The joint award, shared with Simon Pedersen, acknowledges leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to helping strengthen the groundspreading sector nationwide. For Gary, the recognition is appreciated, but it is the industry itself that has always mattered most. His connection with trucking and spreading began long before he entered the business. His father spent four decades driving trucks, including stock trucks and fertiliser spreaders, with Gary riding alongside from a young age. “I used to ride around in a car seat in the truck with him,” he says. “Trucking is in my veins.” That early grounding developed into a career spanning decades, and a business that has built a strong reputation across North Canterbury by embracing technology while never losing sight of practical service. Gary believes one of the industry’s greatest strengths is the willingness of contractors to help one another. “It is important to help other people succeed. We need the industry to keep moving in the right direction.” He says Groundspread NZ has played an important role by encouraging training, introducing new technology, and creating opportunities for contractors to learn from each other. Today’s farmers expect accurate fertiliser placement, proof of placement for regulatory compliance, and operators who can meet increasingly complex environmental requirements. Spreading North Canterbury has invested heavily in modern spreaders equipped with the latest Tabula technology to deliver the accuracy customers now demand. Gary has seen enormous changes over the years, remembering driving older 240 horsepower trucks and regularly working 18 to 20-hour days hauling bulk freight to Nelson. “That was just the norm back then. You couldn’t do it now.” Even so, early starts remain part of the job. On the morning of the interview he had started at 3.30am, spreading grit on roads from Cheviot through Parnassus to Kaikoura before traffic built up. Winter road gritting provides valuable income during the quieter fertiliser season, helping offset maintenance costs while keeping staff and equipment working. Although reaching 20 years in business is a milestone, Gary says the company continues to grow and is still securing new work. “It is important to help other people succeed. We need the industry to keep moving in the right direction.” RURAL SERVICES » Spreading North Canterbury One of its newest drivers, Hayley Allen, joined the company three months ago after previously winning a Groundspread NZ Young Achiever Award. “She’s a great operator, equally comfortable with farmers and modern spreading technology, and a huge asset to Spreading North Canterbury because I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for some of the technology.” Gary says resilience remains the biggest lesson for anyone entering the profession. “It is a tough industry. You have to be a pretty tough person to deal with it.” Despite the challenges, he has no intention of slowing down. Alongside celebrating the company’s anniversary and his national award, Gary says he has another award to collect next February when he is getting married again. “I’ve found a good lady and I’m going to keep her.” findex.co.nz 20 years strong, backed by the numbers Congratulations to Spreading North Canterbury on 20 years in business and their Ballance Agri-Nutrients Presidents Award win. Findex is proud to support their growth with tailored accounting and business advice. Findex NZ Limited trading as Findex Call us on 021 082 98109 Need advice on navigation, spreader options & computer guidance? Proud to support Spreading North Canterbury.
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