Agriculture January 12, 2022
Modern, reliable fleet powered through John Deere Financial
Nathan and Sarah Wilson, from Hall & Wilson Contracting, have purchased their modern fleet of equipment, including an 8600i Forage Harvester, through John Deere Financial.
Crestmead, Queensland (12 January, 2022) – An effective finance solution has been key to Waikato agriculture-servicing operation, Hall & Wilson Contracting, securing a modern John Deere fleet of equipment to grow business capacity tenfold.
Nathan and Sarah Wilson bought into the Otorohanga-based venture, which equips farmers with baling, cultivation, planting, drilling and forage harvesting grass and maize silage capabilities, in 2014 after working closely with the business's then sole owner Allan Hall, previously.
The husband-and-wife duo brought with them years of relevant experience, having worked on farms across New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their arrival to the business helped to reshape the venture and create a further emphasis on forage harvesting, expanding operations from cutting 250 ha of maize, to today, chomping through a combined 2800 ha of maize and grass silage per annum.
Key to growth, and attracting and retaining new clients, has been ensuring machine reliability, which Nathan said had been underwritten by a modern fleet of John Deere equipment.
"John Deere Financial has been a great tool for us. The interest rates are so low we have been able to keep our fleet modern, which is important to our business as we require machines that can be running for 6000 hours with absolutely no fuss," Nathan said.
"The rates are very attractive and make securing new equipment much more affordable."
The current stable of workhorses within the Hall & Wilson Contracting fleet includes an 8600i Forage Harvester, 1725NT Planter, C441R Round Baler and a set of 388 Triple Mowers, as well as a powerful lineup of tractors including two 6215Rs, two 6195Ms, a 6145R and a 6110M.
During peak periods, the business swells from its usual four full-time staff to the addition of five seasonal workers, to ensure farmers from Te Awamutu to Pio Pio have their harvesting and planting needs covered.
"It's our goal to provide a quality service and be in and out of farms in a timely manner, we don't want to be interrupting their operation, and we have chosen to use John Deere for this very reason," Nathan said.
Fateful harvest
Nathan and Sarah met in 2001 in the United States while working on the 2000 Mile Harvest, a term coined to describe the vast area of land through the Midwest which grows crops of wheat, corn, beans, canola, sorghum and sunflowers.
At the time, they were both employed by JKD Harvesting, a contract operation which stretches across the Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Dakota and North Dakota plains.
Working in the same JKD Harvesting crew proved to be a masterclass in smooth and efficient contracting for the couple, and gave them the opportunity to see a John Deere fleet performing at scale.
Sarah, who has experience in the beef and dairy industry, worked hauling out with a truck and trailer, and Englishman Nathan, who grew up in his family's beef operation, was placed in the cab of a John Deere 9650STS Combine during the wheat and corn harvest.
The couple then worked on farms in the United Kingdom, before coming back to New Zealand where Nathan worked for a local contractor, and then AGrowQuip NZ, before they decided to settle in the Otorohanga region, following the opportunity to partner with Allan Hall and to form Hall & Wilson in 2014.
"Allan, to this day, remains a big part of Hall & Wilson Contracting, with his years' of expertise and advice proving invaluable to the success of the business," Nathan said.
Hands-on approach
Sam Wilson, Nathan's brother, has also joined the Hall & Wilson fold and came onboard to buy a share in the business in June 2021.
"Sam has been one of our senior operators since 2016 and has a wide range of skills, from making faultless silage stacks to taking over all the maize planting this season. His addition to the team has freed me up to focus on forage harvesting," Nathan said.
"Being hands-on operating our machines means we are providing a personable service.
"We are on the job every day, day-in and day-out, which we have found farmers appreciate."
Sarah's role is varied, from collecting parts to delivering diesel, however, she spends most of her time on behind the scenes management, meaning streamlined finance systems is a major priority for her.
"During the peak season, our focus is completely on our customers, so when it comes to finance we don't want anything that is time consuming," Sarah said.
"Working with our local dealership, AGrowQuip, and particularly Chris Hughes, the finance process was simplified and there was no fuss. We know that we can rely on them to provide good advice and service, they are more than happy to provide consultation over the phone or on site should we need it."
John Deere Financial mirrors John Deere's deep understanding of the unique needs of New Zealand's primary producers and contractors. Access to John Deere Financial's solutions can be easily arranged through a simple online application, or by speaking to a local John Deere dealership.
Committed to being a trusted financial partner, solution packages are available for new and second-hand equipment, and for equipment made by other machinery manufacturers. All John Deere Financial packages can be arranged in-person, or online-only, to suit your business needs.
"I would recommend John Deere Financial, simply because their rates are so attractive and they are great to work with," Nathan said.
For more information, visit the John Deere Financial website.
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Hall & Wilson Contracting, which is part-owned by Nathan and Sarah Wilson, equips Waikato region farmers with baling, cultivation, planting, drilling
About John Deere:
Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services and is committed to the success of customers whose work is linked to the land - those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich and build upon the land to meet the world's dramatically increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. Since 1837, John Deere has delivered innovative products of superior quality built on a tradition of integrity. For more information, visit John Deere at its worldwide website at JohnDeere.com in New Zealand at JohnDeere.co.nz.
Media Contacts:
Stacey Wordsworth
0438 394 371
stacey.wordsworth@bluehillpr.com.au
Hannah Hardy
0421 196 004
hannah.hardy@bluehillpr.com.au
