104 | A more positive outlook is welcomed Hide Spraying continues to treat every farm like it’s their own. Kelly Deeks RURAL SERVICES » Hide Spraying Ltd After a tough couple of years for North Canterbury’s farmers, this season is bringing a welcome change with good growth, improving commodity prices, and a more positive outlook for the region’s rural sector. Right alongside the farmers, and helping them make the most of the season, is long-standing local contractor Hide Spraying. Owned and operated by father and son duo Graham and Andrew Hide, the North Canterbury business has been servicing the region’s farming community for an impressive 78 years. With a proud legacy that began in 1947 when the late Ellis Hide became one of New Zealand’s very first spraying contractors, Hide Spraying continues to treat every farm like it’s their own. This season, things are looking up, and Andrew says it’s a much prettier picture than 12 months ago. “We’re seeing good autumn growth, and with the dairy payout and sheep prices looking a bit better, farmers are definitely happier,” Andrew says. “They’re doing more than the basics now. They’re putting on a bit more fertiliser and spraying out a few more paddocks.” With more than 90 years of combined experience between them, Graham and Andrew bring a wealth of local knowledge to the table. They understand North Canterbury’s soil types, growing conditions, pest pressures and weather events, and they use this to help their clients plan ahead and make smart decisions for their crops. Hide Spraying’s reputation has been built on quality service and efficiency, supported by a fleet of modern, GPS-guided equipment with proof of placement mapping. The business operates two high-clearance Househam self-propelled sprayers with 24-metre computer-controlled booms, two truck-mounted sprayers with 16.5-metre booms, and a hose reel hand gun unit for those hard-to-reach spots, including gorse,broom, driveways, industrial yards and drains. Fertiliser application is another core service, with one mini spreader truck on hand with a capacity of 2 tonnes. Operated on row crop tyres, the spreader is ideal for lifestyle blocks and cropping farms alike, capable of spreading urea to 24 metres. While 2024 was marked by drought and cautious spending, Andrew says this year’s better conditions have farmers loosening their belts a little, while still staying sensible. “Last year a lot of people really pulled back on fertiliser and spraying. We saw tonnages down, and our spraying work dropped off by about 15%. But people know they can’t skip these things two years in a row or production takes a hit.” Now, as confidence lifts, Hide Spraying is busy again helping farmers stay on top of their game. Andrew says it’s a privilege to work with the third generation on the farms his grandfather once serviced. “We’re proud to be part of a business that’s lasted this long, and that’s still doing right by our clients. Whether it’s a big cropping job or a small block, we do our best for every farm so they can get the best from what we do.” ANOTHER HOUSEHAM AIR-RIDE SUPPORTING HIDE SPRAYING LTD TO ACHIEVE SPRAYING EXCELLENCE 0800 EUROAG EUROAGRI.CO.NZ PRECISION SPRAYING SUPPORTED BY HOUSEHAM TOTAL MACHINE CONTROL EXCLUSIVELY DESIGNED GPS FOR EXCEPTIONAL ACCURACY & AUTOSECTION CONTROL LOWCOMPACTION & HIGH GROUND CLEARANCE ADVANCED CAB DESIGN 3000 - 5000L TANK OPTIONS, UP TO JAMES MCCLOY 027 782 7606 JOHN BRADY 027 251 9801 SEAUN LOVELL 027 611 1892 Proudly supporting Hide Spraying for over 76 years
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