Business Rural Winter 2021

94 | MHL a one-stop shop for farmers Photos: Specialist production thinning machinery. A John Deere wheeled harvester (right) & a John Deere forwarder. The John Deere forwarder mounted Erjo chipper in action. A mechanic inspects a farm vehicle tire for damage Karen Phelps F armers are benefiting hugely from using the services of Mike Hurring Logging & Contract- ing (MHL) when it comes time to harvest their forestry blocks. The fact that the company ef- fectively cuts out the middle man, offering farmers a one-stop shop including selling their logs direct to the market, means the difference in revenue farmers can obtain can be huge. “For example, recently a farmer had been quoted $60,000 return for his forest. We delivered $160,000 return,” says company owner Mike Hurring. Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting was started in 1986 and over the years has grown to employ around 55 staff including eight crews working around Otago and Southland. Services include harvesting and production thinning of forests/ woodlots, training & a WOF accredited workshop. It’s a real family run business with Mike’s son Josh the company health and safety manager. Based in Balclutha, demand for the company’s services have recently seen it expand its yard essentially doubling in size. This provides extra space for training equipment along with a new Erjo wood chipper that has been purchased to produce woodchip for biofuel – one of the first in New Zealand. It’s transportable so can head into forests and chip on site and is currently at work chipping wilding pines in Queenstown. “A lot of companies are moving away from coal to reach carbon neutral targets,” explains Mike. “Wood is a renewable energy source.” For farmers this means that good use can be made of the pines thinned out of their forests, which used to be left on the ground to rot. Mike says this often means that their thinning service ends up costing the farmer nothing or even mak- ing them a return. Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting has a wide range of plant, some 200 pieces, including a RURAL SERVICES » Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting • Log Cartage • Stock / Bulk • PROUDLY SUPPORTING MIKE HURRING LOGGING F ertiliser • Gravel • Contracting • ransporting T 0800 22 5899 www.dtking.co.nz 03 225 8356 Otautau 03 225 5899 Pukemaori 03 234 8120 Riverton CablePrice and Hitachi deliver the reliability and uptime that your business needs • Fully equipped workshop • Dedicated 24/7 product support service • Nationwide dealer network www.cableprice.co.nz 0800 555 456 PROUDLY SUPPORTING All your Welding & Repairs HANSEN & KING ENGINEERS LTD General Engineers 86b Charlotte Street Balclutha PO Box 257 Balclutha Suppliers of - Bolts - Vee Belts - Hydraulic Hoses Proud to support Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting Ltd Phone/Fax. 03 418 2665 | Mobile. 027 210 2776 | lynne@hansenandking.co.nz • to page 96 “For example, recently a farmer had been quoted $60,000 return for his forest. We delivered $160,000 return.”