| 33 Downlands Deer on upward growth curve Still shifting deer in the majority, Downlands has grown to a specialist transporter of stud bulls. Kelly Deeks Nationwide stud stock specialist transporter Downlands Deer and Stud Stock is continuing its growth curve with an additional truck and driver added to the fleet to keep up with an increasing level of demand. Downlands has evolved since it was first established as a local deer transporter in Geraldine in 1984. Still shifting deer in the majority, Downlands has grown to a specialist transporter of stud bulls and stud rams with a second managed base Feilding which provides additional support for interisland work. The two premises allow for stock travelling the length of the country to have spells out of the truck in Geraldine and Feilding, overnight if required. Downlands’ modern fleet comprises 10 trucks and trailers, all equipped with purpose-built crates certified to New Zealand Quality Standards and designed with animal welfare in mind. Specialist crates, with custom-made pens and door openings, are available for larger animals such as trophy stags. The fleet’s latest addition is a new model DAF, and two more DAF trucks are on order for replacements and will join the fleet in the next 18 months. Downlands operations manager Kris Orange says DAF are good honest trucks that are well suited to Downlands’ operations. He thinks the current rise in demand could be attributed to the lack of drivers meaning other transporters are no longer able to offer the service they used to. However, Downlands’ specialisation and its focus on the best possible service has driven its growth from the beginning. “I’ve always said anyone can own some trucks, but it’s about these guys that are sitting behind the wheel,” he says. “Particularly in livestock transport. Our drivers have been hand-selected for their stockmanship capabilities, they can read the movements of the stock and act accordingly with the animals’ welfare DEER » Downlands Deer being paramount at all times. They work hard to look after each animal and treat them with the respect they deserve. Even the stock we are taking to the works are still highly valuable to the farmer, and of course the stud stock has a very high value. So we treat them all well, make them as comfortable as possible, and give them plenty of room.” Downlands aims for work/life balance for its staff and this new truck and driver is one way to alleviate some of the pressure from the increased workload. The dispatching team in the office, who Kris says is amazing under pressure, is also faced with a bigger workload so Downlands has added another part timer to the team. “ We are now better prepared to meet the demands of some pretty intricate logistics,” Kris says. “Some of these trips do cover a lot of ground but also, and with stud stock in particular, we could be picking up a load of 180 rams in the North Island and making 30 to 40 drop offs before we get to the deep south. We always call ahead to let people know when to expect us.” Mechanical Repairs & Service TICK REID MOBILE 027 437 3156 Tyre Sales & Repair PHIL LEWIS MOBILE 027 273 1235 152 TALBOT STREET, GERALDINE PHONE 03 693 8592 EMAIL accounts@qualitytyres.nz FULL MECHANICAL AND TYRE SERVICE Earthmoving and Farm Maintenance Done Right 30 years of local knowledge and experience makes us the right people to talk to when it comes to earthmoving and farm maintenance. We explore every angle of a project upfront to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. For us, being the best isn’t about getting a job done fastest, or cheapest, it’s about getting it Done Right. Find out how we will get your project Done Right at tarbotton.co.nz
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