| 79 nzdairy DAIRY SERVICES » Cameron Contracting 2002 Ltd / Guthrie Ag Works Ltd Busy with dairy work Kelly Deeks Cameron Contracting has been supporting Southland farmers for nearly three decades, building a reputation for quality work, strong relationships, and a willingness to invest in the right gear to get the job done. Based at Woodlands, Cameron Contracting works within a 35 to 40 kilometre radius, where director Daryll ‘Snowman’ Cameron says there is no shortage of work. “We’re pretty lucky in this area,” he says. “There are plenty of other contractors around, but we’ve always had enough work in our local patch for everyone.” Daryll’s involvement in the family business traces back to the mid-1990s, when he expanded his dad Jack’s one-man outfit with drain cleaning capability. With sheep farms across the district steadily converting to dairy through the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Camerons were in the right place at the right time. “Today we’ve only got three sheep farms left on our books – the rest are dairy,” Daryll says. “We put pride into every job we did back then, and it paid off. Those farmers are still with us today because they know we’ll do a good job, and they know we’ll stand by it.” That approach was instilled early on by Jack, who still comes in most days to keep the yard tidy. “He was always fussy about the standard of work,” Daryll says. “The way he saw it, no one ever complains about a job that’s done well. I’ve carried that with me, and I’ve passed it on to the team.” Cameron Contracting has grown steadily over the years, expanding its capabilities with a fleet of machinery that allows it to handle everything from on-farm drainage and earthworks to aggregate supply. The business now runs eight diggers Over 20 years experience Nicki Woodlock Guthrie Ag Works Ltd is a family-owned and operated business based in Moutua, within the Horowhenua District of the Manawatu-Whanganui region. With over 20 years of experience, the business began in 2005 providing cultivation services before expanding in 2014 to include silage production as part of its growing operations. Guthrie Ag Works is owned by Anna and Andrew Guthrie, with their sons Chris and Bevan managing the business as Operations Managers. Guthrie Ag Works offers a wide range of services, including harvesting, cultivation, planting, rural excavation and earthmoving, feed and supplement supply, farm drainage, land clearing and development, as well as transport for feed, machinery, and fertiliser. The company’s most in-demand services are silage harvesting and cropping, catering to a loyal customer base of dairy, arable, and sheep and beef farmers. The team services the Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kapiti, Hawke’s Bay, Rangitikei, and coastal areas - though over 80% of their work is carried out within 30 minutes of the Moutua yard. In the Waikato, Taranaki, and Gisborne regions, they focus solely on providing feed supply services. Since the 2014 growth, Guthrie Ag Works has expanded to a team of 17 employees, supported by 8–10 subcontractors who provide silage transport and spraying services. The team operates a modern fleet of Guthrie Ag vehicles, including ten John Deere and Fendt tractors, three balers, two diggers, two JCB loaders, and two John Deere forage harvesters - all equipped with GPS technology and the latest precision farming tools. The Guthrie Ag team is committed to consistently delivering quality products and services - whether growing crops, excavating, or harvesting silage - ranging from six to 20 tonnes, and at its quarry – added about six years ago – it operates larger machines including 36-tonne diggers, loaders, and a McCloskey impact screen. “The quarry’s become a really big part of the business,” Daryll says. “We’d always wanted to have our own supply, and now we can provide farmers with blue rock, brown rock, whatever they need.” On the transport side, Cameron Contracting has five truck and trailer units backed up by bulldozers, rollers, and graders. The gear is only as good as the people running it, and here Daryll says he’s especially proud. “We’ve got a great team,” he says. “There are 11 of us, ranging from 20 years old to 66. Some of the guys have been here 15 to 18 years, and that sort of loyalty is pretty special. The young fellas are keen to learn, and the experienced hands are great at passing on their knowledge.” That culture of teamwork extends beyond the company, with Cameron Contracting working closely alongside other local contractors. “We all help each other out,” Daryll says. “If I’ve got too much on, I’ll pass a bit of work to someone else, and they’ll do the same for me. It’s good for the young guys coming through, too.” With steady demand from repeat customers and a focus on high standards, Cameron Contracting looks set to continue backing Southland dairy farmers for years to come. ensuring a smooth, seamless experience for every farmer. What sets Guthrie Ag apart, according to Chris, is their equipment, technology, and quality of work. Chris states: “It’s the quality of the work we produce and the care we put into what we do. We have up-to-date machinery using the latest technology - such as John Deere HarvestLab Constituent Sensing on the harvesters - which measures moisture and crop weight. All of our machinery also uses GPS, auto-steer, and section control, preventing seed wastage and overlapping fertiliser placement”. He adds: “We are a fairly large-scale company now. We cover everything, whereas other companies focus on one area. We can do the job from start to finish to ensure quality all the way through”. Guthrie Ag is committed to providing farmers with high-quality feed for the winter while helping them meet regulatory requirements. Using advanced machinery, GPS systems, and proof-of-placement technology, Guthrie Ag supports farmers in maintaining compliance with government standards. Chris is very satisfied with where Guthrie Ag stands today - in both its services and scale. The business expanded last year after securing a major contract with a large local farming company. Chris says: “We’re always open to new opportunities, but we’re not looking to grow the team much bigger than it is”. In the community, Guthrie Ag is an active member of the Rural Contractors Association, sponsors the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, supports the local Foxton Rugby Club, and contributes to Horowhenua schools. Looking ahead, the Guthrie family is focusing on succession planning, with sons Chris and Bevan planning to purchase and take over the business from their parents within the next 5–10 years. FULL ON-SITE MOBILE MECHANICAL SERVICE Heavy Equipment Down? Get expert Diesel Mechanic service and repairs now. 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Our relentless dedication to quality, integrity and reliability has earned us an enviable reputation as one of New Zealand’s leading provider of steel solutions. Pleased to be of service to Guthrie Ag Works Ltd Servicing Horowhenua & Manawatu 027 522 2889 www.guthrieagwork.co.nz
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