Midlands Contracting

Midlands Contracting was established in 2004 to provide specialist services to the seed industry. The business has diversified with the growth of specialist high value crops grown in Mid Canterbury. There are two main areas of the business for the Contracting team, precision agricultural contracting, along with freight and logistics.

Our focus

• Modern, state of the art equipment and vehicles
• Remain at the forefront of technological advancements in precision contracting
• Accredited to the highest of export standards
• A dedicated team of experienced operators who are willing to go that extra mile to ensure the job is done to the best of their ability that meets our customer requirements

Agricultural Contracting

The Midlands Contracting team draws on their experience, technical skills and willingness to go that extra mile to ensure the high value vegetable crops that Midlands Seed is involved in, get the best chance of success. The growers and other customers recognise this and utilise their services year after year. The risks of growing these specialist crops are significantly reduced by combining the expertise of the knowledge of Midlands Agronomy and the Midlands Contracting team’s expertise in machinery, soils, diverse mix of crops, and the varying growing conditions across Canterbury and the South Island.

 Of particular importance in growing these specialist hybrid crops are:

• The GPS precision seeding of spring and autumn crops, with specialist expertise in sowing of vegetable seed crops
• Plastic laying
• Crop netting
• Transplanting
• Topping
• Mulching / male removal
• Inter-Row Spraying
• Inter-Row Cultivation

In addition to servicing the Midlands Seed grower requirements, this independent company fulfills a number of specialist activities for other seed merchants and independent farmers in Canterbury. These activities are fulfilled with a modern fleet highly specialised equipment, including GPS steerage for precision seeding and inter-row cultivating.

Transport (freight & logistics)

Midlands Contracting operates its own fleet of trucks to manage the loading and transport of export containers to and from port, and cartage of produce from one end of New Zealand to the other.

Midlands Contracting is an accredited seed inspector and recognised as meeting the requirements of section 5.2.5.2 of the MAF Bio security standard PEO.SPR. Seed Certification requirements for the accreditation of operations providing inspection and auditing service. In addition to this Midlands Contracting comply with Midlands Seeds strict internal standards for the standard and quality of cargo that is packed in a container for export by Midlands Seed. Technology is used to ensure documentation can be verified, approvals gained while on the move, with vehicles being tracked to ensure we know where product is at any point in time.

The Midlands fleet of vehicles provides choice in the configuration that can be used to transport containers or general freight across New Zealand.

Midlands Contracting is committed to remaining at the forefront of technology and precision farming, with the most current requirements and certification for export transportation.

Duncan King

Operations Manager
M: +64 27 433 3352
E: office@midlands.co.nz

Midlands Bees

Midlands Bees is one of the largest South Island beekeeping business operating hives for honey production and seed crop pollination in the Mid Canterbury region.

Pollination Services

Our pollination services build long term, mutually beneficial relationships between arable growers, horticulturalist, and ourselves.  Our services enable New Zealand to produce specialty seed crops and fruit that can compete in the global market and contribute to the success of New Zealand's seed industry. We are pollination experts providing pollination services to maximise your crops providing you with the following skills and experience;

• Extensive experience and expertise in specialist seed crops and pollination.
• Strict observance to on farm Health and Safety requirements.
• One of the South Islands largest beekeeping operation.
• Experience in shifting hives on and off crops.
• Beekeeping that provides certainty and reliability for the pollination of high value crops.
• Extensive Research and Development programmes focusing on bee health, hive management, pollination optimisation and hive tracking and compliance.
• Vigilant compliance and certification systems, working to the strictest biosecurity and international standard.

At Midlands Bees, we aim to exceed expectations and set new standards of excellence in pollination services within New Zealand.

Providing around 7,000 beehives for natural and efficient pollination of specialty seed and fruit crops throughout Canterbury, we provide pollination services for crops including, but not limited to;

• Canola
• Radish
• Carrots
• Clover
• Brassicas
• Parsnip
• Borage
• Parsley
• Blackcurrants
• Chicory

Beehives are required for pollination between the months of October and February, then the beehives are returned to the resident site for wintering. Major demand for our pollination services is on hybrid carrots from mid-December to mid-February.

For more information about this service please contact

Matt McCully

Field Operations Manager
M: +64 27 839 5390
E: office@midlands.co.nz

Contract Honey Extraction

Midlands Bees has a dedicated honey extraction facility with state of the art extraction equipment including a centrifuge.  Alongside extracting our own honey, contract extraction services are available.

Quality Assurance

To meet production standards and customer requirements, we are focused on a high-quality production process and the highest quality assurance standards. Our purpose-built extraction facility operates a HACCP based Risk Management Programme and is a certified SQF food production facility, licensed and inspected by New Zealand's Ministry of Primary Industry (MPI). 

If you are a local beekeeper in the Canterbury region, Midlands Bees can offer you a contract extraction services for your beehives.  Our dedicated team can extract honey from your hives and fill it into pails, drums or IBC.  Minimum quantities apply and early bookings are recommended.

For more information about this service please contact

Martin Laas

Bee Research
M: +64 27 839 9757
E: office@midlands.co.nz

Midlands Farming

Midlands Farming categorises financially the land lease activity undertaken to produce highly specialised seed crops. This Midlands venture was undertaken to ensure that farmers were never offered crops that Midlands Seed were not totally confident of, in regard to the yield, quality and related financial outcome.

At the same time the establishment of this company demonstrates the commitment of Midlands Seed to fulfil total buyer requirements. If you believe you have suitable land available for lease, please contact Jo Townshend or Chris Green at Midlands Seed to discuss in further detail.

Midlands Properties

Midlands Properties was incorporated in 2002, to develop predominantly commercial properties, and was initiated with the purchase of the current Midlands Seed office location and surrounds in Ashburton. The continued growth of this business throughout the South Island means Midlands Properties are actively seeking to secure new tenants.

For the successful establishment of your new premises, please contact John Benn or Chris Green to discuss in further detail.