NZ Dairy Winter 2020

Dave taking a back seat post lockdown Virginia Wright “Four weeks off made me really think and realise that Michael and Michelle were pretty much running the business anyway ...” | 81 nz dairy DAIRY SERVICES » Codd Contractors A t the age of 74 David Codd, founder of Hawke’s Bay family business Codd Contrac- tors with his wife Linda back in 1980, keeps saying he’s ready to slow down, but he’s the first to admit that before Covid it wasn’t looking likely to happen any time soon. David’s son Michael with his wife Michelle have been part of the family business since 2006 and they’re now in charge of the day to day running of its fleet of tractors and trucks. Because of his age David wasn’t allowed to work during lockdown although as agricultural contrac- tors they were deemed to be essential workers. “Four weeks off made me really think and realise that Michael and Michelle were pretty much running the business anyway and they’re really comfortable with all the new technology of course.” With Hawke’s Bay farmers suffering the effects of a severe drought at the time of lockdown, Codd Contractors were busy harvesting and baling whatever they could so they could keep the farmers supplied with the feed they needed. “The men were in charge of their own tractors and utes and they had to keep them clean and keep to themselves,” explains David, “but we wanted to do what we could for our local farmers.” Over the years the machinery has improved and Chips off the old block: David Codd with son Michael at the wheel and (inset) grandson Locklyn. Hawke’s Bay based Codd Contractors has been helping out local clients with farm contracting services since 1980. farming practices have moved with the times. “Things have changed over the years,” says David. “We started off doing conventional bales, then the big rounds and then the chopping of grass and maize and trucking that to the pits for silage. I’ve enjoyed being part of it all, and doing our bit to help out the local clientele.” Nevertheless David swears he’s now cutting down. ‘I’m going to be the boy about the place: deliver diesel, clean up the yards and so on.” With a depot at Puketapu and the main depot at Puturino that sounds like plenty to go on with for someone who’s slowing down, but he’s confident in his handover to the next generation. “Michael and Michelle both work in the business and on the machinery. Michelle’s flat out on the trucks and they’ve got two kids, Bridgett who’s 13 and Locklyn 9. They love the big machinery too, so they’ve got it in their minds and who knows, maybe they’ll keep it going!” With Hawke’s Bay farmers suffering the effects of a severe drought at the time of lockdown, Codd Contractors were busy harvesting and baling whatever they could to try and keep farmers supplied with the feed they needed. 6 cylinder, 6 cylinder 6.8 L turbo charged engine Flexible QUADRISHIFT 16F/16R transmission Superior comfort with 4-point cab suspension 98 L/min hydraulic flow claasharvestcentre.com HAWKE’S BAY - 1322 Omahu Rd, Hastings Daniel McDonald 027 203 2473 | Ken Schofield 021 272 0606 *Standard CLAAS Financial Services lending terms, conditions and fees apply. Offer valid until 30/08/2020 or while stocks last. Images illustrative only. In stock CLAAS tractors only. PROUDLY SUPPORTING ANOTHER LOCAL BUSINESS I I PH. 877 0004 9 DONNELLY ST. HAVELOCK NORTH 9 DONNELLY ST. HAVELOCK NORTH www.havelocknorthtyres.co.nz Hawkes Bay’s largest range of tractor tyres! On Farm Service For all your specialised puketaputractors@xtra.co.nz Phone 844 4191 • 027 221 2430 • Tractor repairs & modifications • New & used parts • A Bare - Co stockist • Diesel engine servicing • Engineering needs • Call out service available Wanted to Buy: Tractors suitable for wrecking