Margetts Ag Spreading Horsham VIC: V-Rate & Air CTI
Talking Gear Tuesday
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Dillon and the videography team from Broadacre Contracting are out at St Helens Plains, having a bit of a gander at some truck spreaders and catching up with Jack from Margetts Ag Spreading.
St Helens Plains sits just 30ks east of Horsham in the Wimmera region.
In the ag world, St Helens Plains is well regarded for its premium self-mulching clay soils.
Honestly mate, it is that good you would be keen to have a taste of it.
Anyhow, we better keep moving before I start dribbling.
Being based in St Helens Plains means Jack is well placed to service growers in a 150km radius when needed, perfectly covering the local broadacre cropping scene for the Wimmera and Mallee.
In this yarn, I am going to run through Jack’s setup, talking about his Air CTI systems, the dual pump setup for the Southern Spreaders, where the spreaders are made, and how variable rate technology is changing the game for growers.
So before we dive in, if you are a grower needing a hand with your spreading program, or a contractor wanting to build your reputation and attract better clients, give Dillon a buzz on 0439 300 380 from 6am to 9pm.
Let’s Catch Up With Jack From Margetts Ag, As Dillon From Broadacre Contracting Yarns Everything Spreading in St Helens Plains and Horsham
Jack has been running Margetts Ag Spreading for about 5 years now.
He started out shearing before buying one spreader, then bought out his cousin’s run and expanded to a two-truck operation.
Today, 95% of the work is direct with the grower, spreading everything from gypsum, lime and super, to urea and custom mixes.
To handle all that, the setup needs to be built tough and reliable, which naturally brings us to these truck spreaders.
Margetts Ag Spreading snapshot
Based near Horsham VIC
St Helens Plains / Wimmera region
Two-truck spreading operation
95% direct with growers
Gypsum, lime, super and urea
Custom mixes and variable rate
Dillon and Broadacre Contracting’s interpretation
Mate, there is a lot to like in that background.
Coming from a shearing run tells you straight away that Jack knows the absolute meaning of having a crack.
The sheds are not easy.
I could not do it, and I know I am a hard worker.
The detail that really stands out to us at Broadacre Contracting is that 95% of his spreading work is done directly with the grower.
When a contractor is dealing directly with the farmer day in and day out and has grown from one truck to a two-truck operation, it tells us he is doing a top-quality job and has a solid reputation.
Building those direct, long-term relationships is exactly what you want to see in the ag game.
It speaks volumes, but never write off someone losing work because there are many reasons why.
I must put that in.
Margetts Ag 2019 Scania Setup With Southern Spreaders and Dual Pumps
Jack is running a 2019 Scania hooked up with a chain-driven Southern Spreader.
These spreaders are made somewhat local, out of Ballarat.
Southern Spreaders are a common bit of gear out in this area because they are simple and reliable.
One of the best things on this Southern Spreader setup is the dual pump live drive system.
When Jack is pushing out heavy rates with products like gypsum all day, a single pump works extremely hard and can get hot.
Running a double pump system takes the load off.
It is pretty simple really, but in turn, the setup gets more life and becomes somewhat more reliable.
On top of the chain spreader, Margetts Ag is also running a belt-driven truck for when growers need low-kilo rates for things like baits.
That flexibility means Jack can dial in the right setup for any job, low rates or high rates, without compromising on the quality of the job.
Margetts Ag spreading setup
2019 Scania
Chain-driven Southern Spreader
Dual pump live drive system
Heavy-rate gypsum and lime work
Belt-driven truck for low rates
Baits, urea, super and custom mixes
Southern Spreaders describe their business as focused on spreading contractors, including truck spreaders and bulk product handling trailers, which lines up with the sort of contractor-focused gear Jack is running.
Dillon and Broadacre Contracting’s interpretation
Bloody good point pointing out the dual pump setup.
There is a fair bit of weight that goes into these chain spreaders, and if lime or gypo is a bit moist, it does not take much for the weight to add up.
That means the pumps are working that bit more.
So yeah, two pumps are bloody handy.
I mean, one big overall pump could do the same thing, but at least with two, if one fails, you have half a chance of not having to dig the whole spreader out with the shovel.
It makes sense being more reliable with this setup.
I have not had much to do with these Southern Spreaders, but I would be keen to get an invite to the workshop.
They sound handy.
Dropping Pressures: The Air CTI System Saving Wet Paddocks
This is where Jack’s setup gets interesting and stands out that bit more.
Margetts Ag runs an Air CTI system on the hubs of both trucks, completely controlled from a Topcon X35 screen inside the cab.
When running on the road, the tyres are pumped right up to that 85 to 90 PSI.
But when the truck pulls into a wet, soft paddock, Jack can drop that pressure straight down to 60, or even 40 PSI.
Why Air CTI matters in paddock work
Adjust tyre pressure from the cab
Higher pressure on the road
Lower pressure in soft paddocks
Better traction
Less paddock damage
Better productivity in wet country
Air CTI describes its central tyre inflation systems as being designed for 4WDs, trucks and agricultural vehicles, allowing pressure adjustments on the go for better control, traction and reduced wear.
Dillon and Broadacre Contracting’s interpretation
Where I come from in North East Victoria, actually the town is Mansfield, we have a lot of plantation logging and all the loggies run these Air CTI systems.
Bloody good to see these systems in ag and Jack and the Margetts Ag crew running them.
One, it is bloody productive for them, and two, they do a better job in the paddock for their customers.
That is the sort of setup that shows a contractor is thinking about the job beyond just getting product out of the bin.
Variable Rate Spreading With the Topcon X35
Over the last three years, Jack has seen a massive shift toward variable rate spreading, also known as V-rate or VR.
As input costs rise, growers are realising they need to level out their paddocks and get the same yield across the board by putting product exactly where it is needed most.
It is a complex process that starts with an agronomist grid-mapping and soil testing the paddock.
Once those target files are sent over, Jack uploads them straight into the Topcon X35.
He then tests product density.
When it all works, everyone is laughing.
The grower saves money on wasted fertiliser, maximises their yield, and Jack as the contractor delivers a premium service.
Topcon describes its precision agriculture consoles as tools for setting autosteering patterns, controlling application rates, monitoring operations and mapping every pass from a touchscreen environment.
Variable rate spreading process
Agronomist grid maps the paddock
Soil testing identifies the targets
Target files are sent to the contractor
Files are uploaded into the Topcon X35
Product density is tested
Application rate changes across the paddock
Dillon and Broadacre Contracting’s interpretation
Mate, Jack has hit the nail dead-centre on the head here.
With the price of inputs these days, you just cannot afford to be throwing expensive fert out where it is not needed.
After all, overdoing it in the soil just reduces yields, so what is the point?
I feel variable rate used to be a bit of a luxury, but now it is a dead-set necessity for a profitable program.
But let me go off subject here with something that is not relevant to the contractor side.
When we as farmers find efficiencies and reduce costs, someone else along the line is losing money.
Therefore, they bring in another service to recoup that back.
We just need to stay on the pulse of it.
“Hey, we are doing this to reduce costs and improve the land. It is not being done just to improve, we are doing it to reduce costs.”
So what I am saying is, you may need to have a convo with your agro at some point along these lines if you are feeling me.
Moving on from my dribble.
What really stands out to us at Broadacre Contracting is that Jack mentions testing the product density.
Anyone can plug a file from the agronomist into a Topcon screen, but taking the time to actually calibrate the density means the map does exactly what it is supposed to do.
That is the difference between doing variable rate and doing variable rate properly.
How Do You Get Margetts Ag Spreading on Your Programme?
You can view Jack’s equipment on the Broadacre Contracting website through the Margetts Ag Spreading listing.
If you want to put out an instant alert looking for a contractor, post a job through Broadacre tenders.
If you want to have a yarn about finding a reliable contractor like Jack, or you want to get your own contracting business out there, give Dillon a call on 0439 300 380 from 6am to 9pm.
Why We Filmed This Episode With Margetts Ag Spreading
At Broadacre Contracting, we want to become an advocate and trusted partner to the agriculture sector.
We showcase contractors who align with our core values of Respect, Reliability and Responsibility.
Respect
Reliability
Responsibility
Margetts Ag Spreading is the type of operation worth showing because the gear, the setup and the direct grower relationships all tell a bigger story.
It is not just about having a truck spreader.
It is about having the right setup, knowing the product, understanding the paddock, and doing the job properly.
Want to Feature on Talking Gear Tuesday?
If you are a contractor running quality gear and want to feature on Talking Gear Tuesday, or you want to get verified on the Broadacre Contracting directory, give Dillon a call.
These resources may help growers and contractors watch the episode, view the listing, post a job or understand the spreading technology discussed in this yarn.
Need a Spreading Contractor or Want to Get Verified?
If you are a grower looking for spreading contractors, or a contractor wanting to showcase your gear and build trust, Broadacre Contracting gives you a clearer place to start.
View Margetts Ag Spreading, post a tender, or watch more Talking Gear Tuesday episodes to see how we showcase the people behind the gear.
Margetts Ag Spreading is a spreading contractor business based around St Helens Plains near Horsham VIC, servicing growers across the Wimmera and Mallee with truck-mounted spreading gear.
Where is Margetts Ag Spreading based?
Margetts Ag Spreading is based around St Helens Plains, about 30km east of Horsham in the Wimmera region of Victoria.
What products does Margetts Ag Spreading spread?
Jack from Margetts Ag Spreading talks about spreading gypsum, lime, super, urea and custom mixes, with setups suited to both heavy-rate work and lower-rate applications like baits.
What gear does Margetts Ag Spreading run?
The setup discussed in the episode includes a 2019 Scania with a chain-driven Southern Spreader, a dual pump live drive system, a belt-driven truck for low-kilo rates and Air CTI controlled through a Topcon X35 screen.
What is Air CTI used for in spreading?
Air CTI allows tyre pressures to be adjusted between road and paddock conditions. Higher pressures suit road travel, while lower pressures can help traction and reduce paddock damage in wet or soft conditions.
What is variable rate spreading?
Variable rate spreading uses agronomy maps, soil tests and target files to change the application rate across the paddock, putting product where it is needed instead of applying one flat rate everywhere.
How do I find spreading contractors in Horsham VIC?
You can view Margetts Ag Spreading through the Broadacre Contracting directory, browse spreading listings or post a tender so verified contractors can see the job and contact you directly.
What is Talking Gear Tuesday?
Talking Gear Tuesday is Broadacre Contracting’s video series where we sit down with growers, contractors and ag operators to yarn about gear, businesses, risks, lessons and the real stories behind Australian agriculture.
