NZ Dairy Autumn 2021

114 | nz dairy DAIRY SERVICES » Tetley-Jones Agriculture Covid puts extra Kelly Deeks G rowth in New Zealand’s agricultural contract- ing industry continues despite its current in- ability to import the skilled seasonal operators it has relied upon for several years. Ross Tetley-Jones, of Otorohanga-based Tetley- Jones Agriculture, says in his 25 years in business many of his dairy farmer clients have expanded from milking about 300 cows to now milking 2000 cows. “Everyone is growing and we have to grow with them or get left behind,” he says. “We’ve doubled our capacity in the past five years.” Tetley-Jones Agriculture has been employing about four European staff for the peak season for the past six to seven years. Ross had worked in England himself and was initially called by his English employer who asked him to place a couple of people who wanted to come to work in New Zealand for the European off-season. Through word-of-mouth, he has sourced staff from the UK ever since, including some regulars and one who was about to come out for his fifth season before Covid-19 put paid to his plans. “Not having that knowledge and experience in the business, on the seats and in the front line roles, I’ve been driving and so has my son who just finished school last year. He’s only 17 but he’s really had 16 years of experience already, he’s sat in the seat beside me ever since he could sit. “ That’s the best thing about being a farm kid – you get to learn all sorts of stuff. He should be doing the more entry level jobs, but because of the position we’re in due to Covid, he’s been working on the high pressure jobs.” This season, Tetley-Jones Agriculture will take three full time staff through the winter rather than the usual two, just to retain more staff and combat these new problems around seasonal labour. Ross says the Government still seems to think someone can be trained as an operator in a short period of time, but the fact is they could never achieve the amount of production that’s needed. He says the industry and Rural Contractors New Zealand is pushing for more industry training, but it’s also a tough industry to attract workers being seasonal, with long hours during the season. Ross got into it because he’s always had a thing for shiny machines, tractors and farm machinery in particular. He did a bit of haymaking with his dad, then on leaving school started driving for another contractor. “And I’ve never really given it up. 90% of the time, I don’t want to be doing anything else.” Last year Tetley-Jones Agriculture added to its services when Ross purchased a truck and dig- ger from a local contractor who was selling their earthmoving business. He took on a driver, Neville, as well from the business who is now providing earthworks and drainage services, truck and trailer work, and supplying race rock for Tetley-Jones Agriculture. Ross says it has been a successful addition to the business and he’s looking forward to supporting Neville now that the contracting side is slowing down for the season. Ross has also got a 1200 acre dry stock farm at home, managed and run by very good staff who al- low him the time he needs to put into the contract- ing business. “That’s the best thing about being a farm kid – you get to learn all sorts of stuff. He should be doing the more entry level jobs, but because of the position we’re in due to Covid, he’s been working on the high pressure jobs.” 490 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua I 07 345 8560 Mike Kitching 021 735 665 I Glenn Greay 021 862 169 I Todd Hewitt 020 194 5817 www.piakotractors.co.nz Thank you for being a Piako Tractors customer. Proud to support Tetley-Jones Agriculture Ltd. Ross Cumpstone 13 Progress Drive, Otorohanga • 07 873 7760 • 027 4809 974 • www.fastfeeder.co.nz RUBBER TYRE ROLLERS LEVELLING BARS FAST FEEDER BUCKET SAVE TIME & WORK SMARTER Propark Machinery - made to order P 0800 873 7937 E admin@otlgroup.co.nz F facebook.com/OTLGROUPLTD/ PROUD TO SUPPORT TETLEY-JONES AGRICULTURE Tetley-Jones Agriculture now provides earthworks and drainage services to go with its regular round baling work.