The business relationship between Nelson contractors Kevin and Andrew Fry (K & A Fry Contracting) and PGG Wrightson has grown so strong over the last five years, that both parties now promote and refer one another to new farmers in the district.

Established in 2002, K & A Fry Contracting are the biggest agri-contractors in the local area, offering hay silage, groundwork, feed conservation and spraying services. What started as a one-man business with a tractor and a seed drill, has grown to a sizeable partnership between Andrew and his father, Kevin. They now have a fleet of five tractors and a spray truck, operating with a team of six full-time staff. 

Andrew notes that spray contracting is the biggest part of their business and being able to rely on PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative, Andrew Young, helps with inputs, advice and daily support in both their agri-contracting business and cropping ventures. 

“Andrew (Young) is outstanding for both his service and knowledge. We’re in constant communication with him for advice when we’re out on a job, and we talk to him daily about spraying.

“In many instances, we’re working for PGG Wrightson customers, but sometimes not. That doesn’t matter to Andrew, he’s always happy to help.

“He knows what he’s talking about and gives us sound advice. He’s quick to respond, and if there’s something he’s not sure about, he’s upfront in telling us that he needs to do some research first.”

The Fry’s also have 75 ha of crops under irrigation, growing maize for PGG Wrightson Seeds and Lucerne for baleage. They’ve recently added 11 ha hops, too. With the contracting business, Kevin and Andrew are not on the farm a lot of the time. Here, they rely heavily on Andrew Young to monitor the crops and regularly revise their crop management plans. 

 “Andrew is probably here at least three times a week checking on the crops and keeping things on track,” says Andrew Fry. “That gives us real peace of mind.”

He adds that they order everything through PGG Wrightson, “we find PGG Wrightson to be consistently reliable. We rarely have to wait for a product. Andrew normally delivers it too, unless it’s a big volume.

“We’re loyal to PGG Wrightson, but they’ve earned that loyalty. We consistently get good deals and Andrew’s support is invaluable in all areas of our business.”