Business Rural Winter 2021

| 93 RURAL SERVICES » Spreading North Canterbury Variable rate spreading technology is a game changer in the groundspread industry, says Spreading North Canterbury’s Gary Carr. Fertiliser spreading equipment testing company Spread Test NZ is proud to be saving spreading contractors and farmers money on wasted fertiliser, by making sure their equipment is spreading accurately. “Farmers spend a huge amount of money on their fertiliser and without testing, they have no idea where it’s actually going,” says Spread Test NZ owner Travis Churchill. “Testing is a no-brainer. It’s a quick, easy, and simple test and ensures their equipment is up to standard.” Travis says spread testing started out as self-regulatory for farmers and transport companies wanting to know their machinery was running accurately. “Legislation is now coming up tomeet what many operators have been doing for years.” Sound spreading equipment is a key factor in the precision placement of fertiliser, which o ers considerable agronomic bene it to farmers and growers while also protecting the environment from the undesirable side e ects of poor fertiliser spreading practices. Testing to the industry standard, Spreadmark. Spread Test NZ tests both ground and aerial fertiliser spreading equipment. A- grade diesel mechanic Travis and his wife Julie purchased testing equipment from industry pioneer Russell Horrell in 2018, seeing a synergy Putting spreading gear to the test and opportunity to add to the technical support Travis was already providing for many Canterbury ground spread operators through his family business Amberley Truck and Auto. Travis can supply and it spread controllers and GPS units to assist with proof of placement. As well as all maintenance right through to complete re its or new builds of transport spreaders. Gary Carr from Spreading North Canterbury was instrumental in giving Travis the push he needed to start Spread Test NZ. “It has proven to be a very rewarding and interesting venture.” Travis and Julie have had the bene it of guidance and support frommany in the ground spreading industry, and from their partners in Amberley Truck and Auto, the Morris family. Travis and Julie take a team approach to spread testing, which often takes themwell outside of Canterbury with Spread Test NZ having tested spreaders fromCoromandel to Tuatapere. Working closely with agricultural service providers who run spread testing days for their clients, Spread Test NZ provides an e icient service model. Testing is completed quickly, and operators are helped to get the best performance out of their equipment. As a Spreadmark Certi ied assessor, Spread Test NZ provides reports which can be used by farmers in their Farm Environment Plans. Need your fertiliser spreader checked for your farm audit or Spreadmark certification? We are independent, Spreadmark Certified testers for both ground and aerial fertiliser spreaders. We are passionate about the industry and improving the accuracy of your machine. Giving you confidence when it comes to nutrient placement. Call us on 021 082 98109