| 67 RURAL SERVICES » Fairbanks Seeds / Harris Contracting 2023 Ltd More transport options A trusted supplier Russell Fredric Alexia Anderson A longside its core harvesting and baling work, Harris Contracting is expanding its transport capability to better utilise equipment during the seasonal ebbs and flows. The business has purchased two powerful Scania 620 truck units, contributing to a fleet of four that can shift between silage, grain, gravel and general cartage depending on demand. One unit will transition into stock transport during winter while others continue in bulk haulage roles, helping spread the workload more evenly, improving utilisation of both staff and machinery both during and outside of harvests. Director Andrew Harris says the late autumn harvest period this year was about finishing strong on the back of settled weather, with the business completing its maize harvest in record time. “We’ve just cleaned up all our maize; our biggest maize season ever,” Andrew says. Continuing investment in modern high-capacity machinery is one of the ways the rural contractor is creating efficiencies for both the business and its clients. Covering just over 1000 hectares, the maize harvest was completed in just over 19 days using two Claas Jaguar harvesters. However, the overall season was anything but straightforward. A slow start during spring limited early growth, before conditions improved heading into harvest, only for persistent rain during January and February to impact straw production and disrupt workflows. “It’s been a hard season for everyone; the grass crop was so slow in September, October.” Silage volumes were boosted by favourable late autumn weather, with the team continuing to work longer than usual, while straw yields fell well short of expectations. However, around 60,000 bales were still produced, which was similar to last season. “Autumn’s been really, really kind to us; which has made the maize harvest so easy.” Alongside baling and silage work, the business plants around 1200 hectares of maize and a further Fairbanks Seeds is proving its value as a trusted supplier to vegetable growers across New Zealand. Established in 2018, the company has built a strong reputation based on trust, combining close industry relationships with a focus on high- performing seed genetics. Managing Director Cameron Robbie says the Pukekohe-based business has grown into a significant supplier to the New Zealand vegetable sector, supported by a team of four representatives. “We now have a strong presence across several crop categories and in all major growing regions of the country.” A young, energetic and passionate team is driven to improve grower outcomes - particularly in reliable yield, adaptability, and quality - through the selection of superior genetics. Fairbanks Seeds’ product range spans brassicas and leafy greens through to key crop segments including bulbing and bunching onions, potatoes, carrots, Asian vegetables and field cucurbits. “The list continues to expand,” Robbie says. “More recently, we’ve entered the potato category, partnering with a global breeder and local tissue culture and seed potato producers to introduce new varieties to the market. It’s a longterm play, but an exciting step forward for the business.” A key part of the company’s success is its hands-on approach to product development, with varieties tested under New Zealand growing conditions. “We run trials across multiple regions and planting windows, ensuring varieties prove themselves under real conditions and can be seen by growers before committing to commercial volumes.” This collaborative approach extends to close working relationships with growers, helping tailor solutions to suit different environments and challenges. “Strong relationships with our growers are critical,” Robbie says. “While there is often alignment around desired traits, challenges can vary by region and operation. We work closely with growers through on-farm trials, assessing performance together and making informed decisions before advancing varieties into their programs.” International partnerships with breeders also play a vital role in ensuring growers have access to the latest genetics. “These relationships are essential. No matter how strong our grower relationships are, without the right genetics we won’t succeed.” Looking ahead, innovation remains a key focus for Fairbanks Seeds, with new varieties continuing to be developed across multiple crop categories. Despite its growth, the sector faces ongoing challenges, including rising costs, regulatory and logistical pressures, fluctuating demand and increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions. Fairbanks Seeds remains focused on supporting growers through practical, performancedriven solutions. “We have ambitious plans to continue growing and becoming a go-to partner for vegetable growers across New Zealand, supported by a premium varietal range and a hardworking, knowledgeable team.” Robbie says varietal improvement remains one of the most effective ways to deliver value. “If we can deliver a variety that significantly improves yield or marketability - as we’ve achieved in some cases - it can have a real impact on a grower’s bottom line.” With a clear focus on innovation and growth, Fairbanks Seeds is positioning itself as a key partner in the future of New Zealand’s vegetable industry. 400 hectares of sweetcorn each season using precision planting, with consistency key to crop performance. The continued investment in machinery is a hallmark of Harris Contracting’s operation. Adding to previous purchases, including a Claas 960 forage harvester and high-capacity baling equipment, this season a set of Claas auto swather mowers was added to the fleet. The auto swather allows six windrows to be merged into four, feeding more consistent volumes into the harvester from a 15 metre-wide row. Andrew estimates this delivers a 15 percent lift in efficiency while also helping preserve feed quality by reducing exposure to drying winds. The earlier upgrade in high-density square baling has delivered similar gains, increasing bale weight and reducing the number required; lowering wrapping and cartage requirements while lifting output per hour. Its client base spans arable, dairy and high country sheep and beef farms, helping balance seasonal peaks and troughs. “We’re really lucky; it’s a really good mix.” While dairy and livestock farmers have largely had a bumper year, arable growers have faced a more difficult season, with weather damage and disrupted harvests having a considerable impact. All up, investment in modern, high-efficiency machinery has been a big game-changer for the business. With such a large amount of equipment to service and maintain, the company employs a full-time mechanic to do this work in-house which, as well as creating efficiencies, including for call-outs, is a considerable cost saving. 10 JB Cullen Drive, Ashburton Smith Seeds are proud to support Fairbanks Seeds. Steve 0272415973 Jo 027 336 3932 Wayne 0272474999 Brad 027 900 0410 0800 141 545 | info@carrfields.co.nz | www.carrfields.co.nz QUALITY SEED. RELIABLE GRAIN. REAL RESULTS. • Baled & Fine Chop Silage • Loader Wagon Silage • Straw Baling • Silage & Straw Trading • Maize Planting & Harvesting • Transport Andrew Harris 027 318 9798 andrew@harriscontracting.co.nz Logan Wall 022 140 6059 PROUD TO SUPPORT HARRIS CONTRACTING 2023 LTD Its client base spans arable, dairy and high country sheep and beef farms.
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