112 | nzdairy Safe food production the Holy Grail Dianna Malcolm DAIRY SERVICES » Farm Supplies Central Ltd A Manawatu family business has spent three decades consciously protecting New Zealand’s food processing reputation. It might seem a stretch to make the call but dig deeper and Brian Ebert’s efforts throughout his career have been just as focussed on the bigger picture as they have been on the successful growth of his own business, Farm Supplies Central Limited. Farm Supplies Central designs, builds, supplies, repairs, installs and services everything (above and/ or below ground) that involves milk harvesting, irrigation, farm water reticulation, farm dairy ef uent systems, solids separation, travelling irrigators, water puri cation and pumps for all purposes. The business has been servicing the Manawatu and wider lower districts of the North Island from its Rongotea base since 1993. Farm Supplies Central also carries general merchandise and farm consumables. Where Brian has used his knowledge for the greater industry has been in his role as a council member for the New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association (NZMPTA) for the last 25 years. The NZMPTA’s charter is to bring higher standards for equipment and workmanship to clients in the elds of milk harvesting, pumping and water application. Brian believes the voluntary body has been important for the dairy industry’s sustainability and international credibility for safe food production. “We (NZMPTA) just had our 150th annual meeting this year,” Brian said. “That’s how long the organisation has been looking after people’s milking machines, and writing its own codes of practise, regulations, standards, and procedures. “We currently have 165 member companies, with 163 current registered milking machine testers. It hasn’t always been easy, but we do some good work. We’ve just spent a lot of money changing the New Zealand Milking Machine Standards – which continue to be higher than Europe’s standards – to sustain that global respect we currently have for our registered machine testers and products.” New opportunity for apprenticeships The most recent breakthrough by the NZMPTA has been establishing its own apprenticeship scheme. “Because we touch so many aspects of industry, including milk harvesting, dairy ef uent, irrigation, Farm Supplies Central owner Brian Ebert (left), with Richard Washington – who has a rare advanced certification from the NZMPTA in dairy diagnostics, milking machine testing and mastitis – and Bruce’s son Brice Ebert. PROVEN EFFLUENT PRODUCTS PLUS LOCAL KNOW HOW REID & HARRISON Farm Supplies Central is a proud member of the www.yardmaster.co.nz FARM SUPPLIES CENTRAL LTD 55 Thames St, Rongotea, Manawatu. Ph: (06) 324 8426 ...that works! The Backing & Top Gate Experts Existing Gate Up Grades & New Gate Installations New Zealand Wide For over 25 years Reporoa Engineering continue to lead the way in Backing Gate Technology. Quality robust construction and clever designs provide New Zealand farmers high performance in the yard from day one.
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