72 | RURAL SERVICES » Cheviot Lime Ltd Family operation into second generation About to start job high up looking over Cheviot area. Randal Johnston Farming contractors Cheviot Lime are busy as ever, despite the increased cost of fertiliser which has skyrocketed in the last two years, a sure sign that they are doing something right in North Canterbury. Dan Thiele came back from Western Australia and worked for his father Greg for a few years, before he and his partner Jane purchased the business off his parents in 2016. Dan and Jane’s kids Sophia, 5, Fleur, 3, and Angus, 1, keep them both more than busy these days. Dan has just sold one of his trucks, due to not really having another experienced operator to drive the third and following two wet seasons in a row. The team is now running two truck and trailer units – one is a near-new 2022 MAN with an Ace bin on the back, the other is an older Scania with a Transpread bin. “The type of fertiliser used differs from farm to farm and farmers are using special blends tailored to their paddocks more often these days, as well as applications of lime,” Dan says. “That’s one thing we have notified, is that farmers are testing their soil more often these days, so they know exactly what it needs, whereas it used to be more of a one size fits all approach.” Dan also has his a permit to take lime from a local quarry, and Paul Pascoe of Limestone Limited comes in with his digger with rock breaker and a mobile crusher; who breaks and then crushes the lime and get it ready to be spread. That, Dan says, is definitely handy thing to have close by and always on hand. The busiest time of year for Cheviot Lime is November, but also February-March and they primarily provide their services to sheep and beef and dairy farms. Dan is very hands-on in the business, effectively driving full-time, while his highly-experienced operator and right-hand man Kobus tackles the rest of the work. “Kobus has three seasons under his belt spreading with me now and he’s been awesome.” The weather is a big factor, the notorious north Canterbury Nor-Wester creating the odd day when fertiliser cannot be spread. That being so, flexibility on jobs is an absolute must since the work is so weather dependant, especially lime - but some of the fertilisers are getting finer too now. The nitrogen cap legislation is meaning that some clients are having to alter the rate at which they apply Urea, for example. “But even just in the last decade, things have changed a lot in terms of what farmers are putting out on their paddocks and using different fertile mixes for different paddocks on the same farm. They really do know what their soil needs, which is fantastic,” Dan explains. A diesel mechanic by trade, Dan also does a lot of the servicing and basic repairs on the gear he runs, minimising down time for he and Kobus – which is vital during busy periods. For anything major or involving electronic diagnosis he turns to Penske or Scania. Amberley Truck and Auto also step in to assist him when required, so there’s no lack of local support. The spreader bins do require regular maintenance, as the fertiliser products can be quite hard on the gear, but the welding and engineering on them is relatively uncomplicated. Winter always provides a chance to keep up with the maintenance of the gear, laying grit on the icy roads when required, and to prepare for the busy Spring ahead, and Dan is very happy with the scale and direction of the business in 2023. Spreadmark Certified Dan Thiele - 027 511 7656 - 03 319 2779 - cheviotlime@gmail.com CARRIERS OF LIVESTOCK, GENERAL FREIGHT, BULK & FERTILISER CHEVIOT TRANSPORT 2017 LTD 99 Ward Rd, Cheviot 7310 P: 03 319 8644 A/H: 0276 776 787
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