66 | Very strong demand Stock matting popular Comfy cow rubber matting. Karen Phelps Karen Phelps RURAL SERVICES » Agri Tech Imports / Awamangu Contracting Ltd South Otago-based Awamangu Contracting is experiencing one of its busiest periods in recent years as strong demand across both agricultural and civil work keeps the family-run business operating at full capacity. From silage and baleage to drainage, roading and earthmoving, the company has built a reputation for reliability and efficiency across the Clydevale and Balclutha districts. While forage harvesting remains central, the business now balances pit silage, baleage and a wide range of farm contracting services. “We focus on quality and trying to keep costs down for customers,” says Dave Smollett who owns the company with wife Melissa and sons Jimmy and Todd. “These days it is not just pit silage - it is baleage and a lot of general farm contracting work as well.” Founded around two decades ago the business has grown steadily from its early days cutting silage and barley for neighbouring farms. Awamangu Contracting runs a modern line-up of forage harvesters, mowers, swathers and trucks, alongside three excavators used for a wide range of contracting jobs. It operates two silage crews and undertakes cultivation, farm drainage and cleaning, forestry roading, dairy lane construction, effluent pond development and land clearing. The past season has been particularly demanding. Significant storm damage in late October created a surge in tree clean-up work, while ongoing farm expansion in the region has led to increased demand for new dairy lanes and infrastructure. Founded by farmers for farmers, Agri-Tech Imports rubber matting continues to grow in popularity with word of mouth and repeat clients being the main driver of business, something inventors and dairy farmers Kyllee and Paul Henton take great pride in. “It shows the product does what it says and exceeds most people’s expectations. The animals make the decision on it for the owners because it’s obvious the animals are really happy on it,” says Kyllee. The inspiration for the business came from the couple’s own experience at their farm White River Dairies in Kelso, West Otago. In 2015, they built a covered feed pad for 600 cows with a concrete floor but while feed utilisation improved, lameness became an issue. The couple wanted a solution that would allow cows to lie down comfortably while maintaining access to feed and shelter. In 2016 they sourced a manufacturer overseas to produce custom-designed rubber mats, which they installed themselves in the middle of calving the following year. The results were immediate. Kyllee says the heifers were the quickest to adapt, a clear sign of animal comfort. Feedback from other farmers who have since installed the mats echoes the Hentons’ experience: improved cow flow, reduced joint and foot pain for both animals and workers, and a more comfortable working environment overall. “Massive improvement in cow comfort directly relates to animal health and production,” she says. The mats themselves are 30mm thick with a unique air-cushion layer underneath, giving support similar to a high-quality gym shoe. A mild dimple pattern provides grip without causing discomfort when cows lie down. Durability is a hallmark: product installed in the Henton’s 600-cow barn nine years ago still looks like new. Each mat covers two square metres, weighs 53kg, and is made from a 50:50 blend of recycled and new rubber, making it both sustainable and long-lasting. Agri-Tech Imports sells direct to farmers and is also a card-holder supplier with Farmlands and Ruralco. Its products are designed to be hygienic, easy to clean, and simple for farmers to self-install, even mid-season. They can be moved to new locations if required and are suitable for a range of animals including cows, horses and deer. They run Agri-Tech Imports alongside White River Dairies, which has a 184-hectare milking platform, with a 42-hectare support block for cropping and silage and a 96-hectare grass block for wintering and young stock. They milk a 600-cow herd, fully converted to A2 A2 genetics a couple of years ago, and supply to Mataura Valley Milk. Kyllee says the change was motivated by payment premiums with their own daughters intolerance to A1 milk adding another driver. The farm operates a 50-bale rotary cowshed with a Protrack Vantage drafting gate and herd management system and has DeLaval milking plant with Milfos variable pulsators. Cows are wintered on a woodchip and rubber matting combination wintering pad. The covered feed pad, fitted with Agri-Tech rubber matting, provides comfort year-round, and a calving pad with head bails and hot water supports young stock care. Ryegrass and clover-based permanent pasture, alongside fodder beet, turnips and barley for silage, allows the farm to operate largely self-sufficiently. Kyllee highlights that the rubber mats complement this approach, protecting soil and pasture structure while reducing nutrient loss. Despite the growth, the company remains firmly grounded in its family values. The Smolletts’ two sons are both heavily involved in the operation, representing the next generation of the business. Todd manages the farm and oversees accounts and Jimmy handles machinery maintenance, supervises the baling operations and can operate any of the equipment making him a versatile allrounder working across all areas of the business. Alongside the contracting arm, the family runs a substantial 430ha farm, which will this year run 100 beef breeding cows plus around 100 offspring and 200 bulls they’ll take through to 18 months. They will also graze 900 dairy cows on contract and 400 breeding ewes plus graze other sheep when there is surplus of feed. This hands-on farming experience feeds directly into the way the company approaches its contracting work. “Operating our own farm gives us a real understanding of what our clients need,” says Dave. “For example we know what good silage looks like and what bad silage looks like, and that helps us deliver the best result.” With a team of full-time staff supported by seasonal workers during peak periods, the company places strong emphasis on maintaining equipment and ensuring health and safety standards are met at all times. Dave says that Awamangu Contracting aims to maintain its current scale while continuing to deliver a high-quality, personal service. “We have very good relationships with our clients, and that is what matters. It is because of them we are here in the first place. We get a lot of satisfaction out of doing the job right and producing a good product for our clients.” For all your Trucking needs, call: 027 227 2324 or Proud to be associated with Agri Tech Imports Bulk Fuel & Lubricants WOF Tyres Pipe Fittings Century Batteries Full Workshop Facilities Bulk Oil also available at JD Souness Ltd W & J DUNLOP (CLYDEVALE) 1998 Ltd FARM SPECIALISTS YOUR LOCAL PHONE PAUL & ROSIE (03) 415 9254 / (03) 415 9077 18 Dunlop Road Clydevale, Balclutha AdBlue® Servicing Balclutha & Gore Areas WASTE SERVICES & TRANSPORT OPERATORS 0800 GOWASTE 0800 469 278 admin@jdsouness.co.nz www.jdsouness.co.nz
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