66 | 173 Spey Street, Invercargill | 03 211 3355 Financial expertise for your rural business Get the support and advice you need to protect what you’ve built, strengthen your finances, and plan for the future you want. Talk to your local advisor today. McCallum has built a strong reputation Kelly Deeks Southland’s forestry industry has changed dramatically over the past couple of decades, with an ever-increasing focus on safety, efficiency, and professionalism. At the forefront of that shift is Tuatapere-based McCallum Harvesting, a family business run by David “Daggy” McCallum and his three sons. With 11 years in business and six crew members working across corporate forests owned by Matariki Forest Trading, McCallum Harvesting has built a strong reputation for delivering the high standards today’s industry demands. David says professionalism is at the heart of everything they do. “Corporate forest owners want crews that are safe, competent, and capable of doing the job right. Our staff are trained through the Competenz programme, they work towards qualifications, and they bring a really professional approach to every day on the job,” he says. David has seen first-hand how much forestry has changed since he first picked up the trade. What was once a tough, manual job carried out with chainsaws and bulldozers is now a highly mechanised industry requiring technical skills, advanced equipment, and constant attention to safety. “It’s a very professional job these days,” he says. “Everything has to be well presented, the wood has to be graded properly through the harvester, and logs must be cut to the right lengths and grades. Log recovery is critical – we’re aiming to make sure nothing is wasted and every stem is producing the best value product it can.” He explains that good log recovery makes a real difference to both the forest owners and the contractors. High recovery rates mean the owners get maximum return on their crop, while contractors build their reputation for accuracy and efficiency. “It all comes back to professionalism,” David says. “If you’re doing it right, everyone benefits.” Caring for the environment is also central to the way McCallum Harvesting operates. David says his crew takes pride in leaving sites tidy, protecting waterways, and minimising soil disturbance. “We’re working in these forests for the long term, RURAL SERVICES » McCallum Harvesting David has seen first-hand how much forestry has changed since he first picked up the trade. George Wilson Sales Ltd. Proud to supply McCallum Harvesting FOR ALL YOUR WELDING AND ENGINEERING SUPPLIES 27 North Road | 161 Bond Street | Office: 03 215 9064 Cellphone: 027 503 7853 Email: gwsales@geowilson.co.nz so it’s important we respect the land,” he says. “When you get the environmental side right, you’re looking after the resource for the next rotation and for future generations of forestry workers.” McCallum Harvesting is very much a family affair. David’s three sons Jackson, Ethan, and Flynn are all involved in the operation, continuing the McCallum family’s generational link to forestry.
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