Methods and machinery key to cropping

 

Like many diversifying farming families, the Waipu father and son team of Wayne and Matt Sandford have become Coastal Contracting.

In adapting to the changing face of farming where cropping has become increasingly important, feed levels need to be maximised to realise the production potential of cattle especially during regular dry spells that Northland weather can deliver. This means large areas of maize planted in spring and harvested in autumn using specialised equipment and an experienced operator.

With 230 horsepower of New Holland tractor, chisel plough, power harrow and cultivator, ground preparation for maize can be a relatively quick operation from paddock to seed bed.

Coastal Contracting work in with another contractor for maize sow-ing, but run their own air seeder combo for turnips and chickory. The 2.8 metre mulcher attachment and air-seeder are a great combination for tidying up and renovation work. They are fully equipped with 14 tonne tip trailer and silage cage which will probably swing into action in just a few weeks. Then it’s do-ing it all over again after cropping and regrassing in the autumn.

During spring, maize and turnip cultivation covers around 500 hectares in the Waipu-south Whangarei area. That’s a lot of feed, and a lot of man hours hence the need for the right machinery to do the job.

Operator Matt has chosen the cropping side of farming rather than livestock but in recent off-seasons he has ven-tured to the UK to fur-ther his experience in an environment that is quite different from New Zealand both in terms of machinery and cropping methods as not all cropping results in stock feed as is the case here.

Farmers expect a prompt and efficient service. This season’s a little late due to pro-longed wet weather but ground moisture needed a boost anyway. Temper-atures are on the rise and the moisture content will assist germination once crops are in the ground.

The sooner you call Coastal Contractors, the sooner you’ll get the job done.

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