76 | Forging ahead positively, here for farmers Peter and Mason understand the local rural sector very well. Kim Newth Southland rural contractor Peter Corcoran Contracting knows from long experience that a couple of good seasons in a row will often be followed by a challenging one. That’s exactly what happened last year, when Southland was hit by a record wet spring quite unlike the previous few years. To make matters worse, the tough spring then turned cold and dry in December. “We were massively behind by the end of January, but finally started catching up in February/ March - it’s just one of those things, you’ve got to take the highs with the lows,” says Peter, who is already putting in the prep for the 2025/26 season to ensure the fleet and equipment is ready to go for farmers this coming spring, no matter the weather. Autumn’s calmer conditions have been a welcome relief in Southland. Peter and co-owner Mason Cairns say grass covers are currently looking good and most farmers have done the re-sowing needed for winter crops, etc. “Once the cows have dried off, we’ll be doing some lane maintenance work for our dairy farmers. With the lift in lamb price, sheep farmers have been doing a bit of maintenance on their laneways and tracks this year as well. For us, it helps keep the wheels turning.” Peter and Mason understand the local rural sector very well. Peter grew up on his family’s farm in Southland and launched his contracting business in 2001. Mason, also an experienced rural contactor, bought into the business about five years ago. Peter Corcoran Contracting Limited offers efficient and reliable silage making, hay baling and excavation services along with general cartage and aggregate supply to dairy, sheep and beef farmers across Eastern Southland and West Otago. “We have now diversified into maize harvesting too, having recently purchased a specialist header to do that work. We did our last maize job in early May. It’s a reasonably big investment for farmers to grow maize – you’ve got to get it right to get a good yield. RURAL SERVICES » Peter Corcoran Contracting Ltd Most of it looked pretty good in the areas that we harvested.” This acquisition is just the latest addition to an already impressive line-up including JD 8300I forage harvester with KP & Greenstar & Harvest Lab and a 5m Zurn whole crop front for cereal silage; a collection of versatile tractors; two JCB wheel loaders; a fleet of four modern tip trucks including trailers and a 9.5m pintal hook low deck transport trailer; a Case SB531 conventional baler/mowers/ rakes/vacuum tank/portable weighbridge/ attachments for loaders, (for example, bale handling equipment); a Case 130C digger; a tractor tip trailer; and a fully set up workshop for equipment maintenance. Peter is the third generation on his family’s original farm at Waikaka, used for grazing sheep, mmca.co.nz We’ll help you build a smarter, better business. Chartered Accountants | Business Advisors We’re proud to support businesses like Peter Corcoran Contracting Ltd 027 856 1000 admin@newtonexcavation.co.nz Gore 6 tonne & 2 tonne general excavating Tile cleaning/Locater CCTV drain camera Augers/Grab bucket General cartage ...and much more! We’ve got the experience & equipment to do the job right. We pride ourselves on top results. Sales: Hay: Paddock & Shed Stored, Standing Grass, Conventional & 4 x 4 Rounds Maitland, No 5RD, Gore 0274 318 148 | 027 623 7440 petercorcorancontractingltd@outlook.com www.petercorcorancontracting.co.nz PH 0278650907 ENGINEERING CONTRACTING • Stainless Steel Welding and Machining • Alloy Welding and Machining • Herd Barn and Dairy Shed Maintenance • General AG Equipment • Tile Cleaner • 3.5T Digger • 4T Tip-Truck • Trenching Bucket • Log Grab • Augers growing oats for Harraways and to support cut and carry orders. The contracting depot is at Maitland, near Gore, where they stock aggregate and house their machinery, with aggregate sourced from the farm’s quarry at Waikaka. Over the peak months, Peter Corcoran Contracting’s team grows to around eight or nine to keep up with seasonal demand. That drops to around three staff from June until late September, with seasonal staff still sometimes called on to help out on some winter jobs.
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