Three generations and still moving forward
Reymer Ag is the kind of contracting business that reflects both the history and the direction of New Zealand agriculture, built over generations but constantly evolving alongside the systems it supports.
Based in Pirongia in the Waikato, it is a business that has grown from small-scale haymaking into a fully integrated operation, covering everything from crop establishment through to harvest and cartage, with a structure that mirrors the changing demands of modern farming.
The story begins in the 1960s, when John Reymer Senior established Reymer Agriculture in the Tihiroa district. At that time, contracting was often a matter of filling a need within the local community and haymaking was at the centre of that. What set the business apart early on was a willingness to adopt new technology and push into new areas. John was one of the first in New Zealand to run Massey Ferguson tractors and introduced one of the country’s first loader wagons, setting a precedent that still defines the business today.
That approach carried through into the second generation. When Bill Reymer took over in the 1970s, the industry was already beginning to shift. Conventional hay was giving way to silage, and cropping systems were becoming more structured. Bill adapted the business accordingly, moving into round-baled silage and adopting techniques such as direct drilling and undersowing well ahead of wider uptake. The emphasis remained the same, invest in capability and stay ahead of where the industry is heading.
That mindset has been critical to the longevity of the business. Contracting, particularly in a region like the Waikato, is shaped by the systems it supports. As dairy farming intensified and supplementary feeding became more common, maize silage emerged as a key part of the equation. Reymer Ag moved with that change, expanding its role in both planting and harvesting maize and building a business that now operates at scale across the Waipā district.
Today, the third generation is firmly in place, with brothers Mike Reymer and Chris Reymer leading the operation alongside their parents Bill and Lyn. Their pathway into the business reflects a broader trend in the sector. Both spent time working overseas, gaining experience in different farming and contracting systems before returning home. That exposure has influenced how the business operates, bringing in new ideas while maintaining the core values that have underpinned it for decades.
The scale of the operation has grown significantly. Reymer Ag now plants and harvests more than 700 ha of maize annually, alongside a full suite of contracting services that extend across cultivation, planting, spraying, silage and general cartage. It is a business that operates across the full cycle, from crop planning through to harvest, and that end-to-end capability has become one of its defining strengths.
That ‘seed to feed’ approach is not just a marketing line, it reflects how the business is structured. Reymer Ag offers crop establishment through roller drilling, direct drilling and maize planting, followed by spraying programmes and then into harvest with precision chopping, baling and loader wagon work. The addition of general cartage completes the system, allowing the business to control the entire process rather than relying on external services.
For farmers, that level of integration has practical benefits. It simplifies logistics, improves timing and ensures consistency across each stage of the process. As the business itself puts it, each farming operation is different and the ability to tailor services to suit those differences is critical. Soil type, climate and system all play a role and contracting services need to adapt accordingly.
Machinery has always been central to that capability. From the early adoption of Massey Ferguson equipment through to the modern fleet operating today, the focus has remained on reliability and performance. While specific fleet details are not always front and centre, the scale of work being undertaken requires a line-up that can handle high-volume operations across multiple fronts at once.
The maize side of the business provides a clear example of how that has evolved. What began as small-scale planting has grown into a significant part of the operation, with machinery progressing from single-row harvesters through to multi-row machines capable of handling large areas efficiently. As Bill Reymer noted, “The machines have got bigger and quicker, but the principles haven’t really changed.”
That balance between progression and practicality is evident throughout the business. While machinery has advanced, the fundamentals of contracting remain the same. Timing, reliability and output are what matter, particularly in a system where weather windows are tight and demand is high.
The integration of their own farming operation adds another dimension. Mike and Chris are also involved in dairy farming, milking 300 cows on a 95-ha operation. That connection to farming provides a direct understanding of the pressures their clients face. It influences decision making, from crop selection through to harvest timing, and reinforces the importance of delivering a service that works within a broader system.
Maize, in particular, has become a focal point. The crop’s role as a supplementary feed has expanded significantly over the years and Reymer Ag has been part of that journey. From the early days when maize was a relatively minor component, through to its current position as a key feed source, the business has adapted alongside the industry.
“Maize has been a talking point around the Reymer family kitchen table for decades,” is how one account of the business describes it, and that is reflected in the level of involvement the family has across the sector. That involvement extends beyond contracting, with a focus on cultivar selection, crop performance and the broader agronomic factors that influence yield and quality.
The structure of the business also reflects a strong family dynamic. Like many successful contracting operations, it is built around people who understand both the work and each other. Roles are clearly defined but flexible, allowing the business to respond to changing workloads and seasonal demands.
At the same time, it has grown beyond a purely family-run operation. The scale of the work requires a capable team, and Reymer Ag has built a workforce that can operate across its different service areas. Maintaining that team, particularly in a competitive labour market, is an ongoing challenge, but one that is critical to the success of the business.
Health and safety, compliance and professionalism are now expected as standard across the contracting sector, and Reymer Ag is no exception. As a member of Rural Contractors New Zealand, the business operates within a framework that emphasises quality, accountability and best practice. Those standards are increasingly important, not just for compliance but for maintaining trust with clients.
Geographically, the business operates within a defined area around Pirongia, typically within a 40-km radius. That focus allows it to maintain strong relationships with clients and manage logistics effectively, ensuring that machinery and staff are deployed efficiently across jobs.
That local focus does not limit the scale of the operation. Within that radius sits a significant concentration of dairy and mixed farming operations, providing a consistent demand for contracting services. By concentrating on that area, Reymer Ag has been able to build depth rather than simply expanding geographically.
Looking at the business today, what stands out is how it has managed growth. Rather than expanding rapidly into new regions or services, it has built capability around the systems it knows best. Each addition has been aligned with existing work, creating a cohesive operation rather than a collection of separate services.
That approach has also supported succession. With the third generation now leading much of the operation, the transition has been gradual and practical. Knowledge has been passed on through experience rather than formal handover, and the business has continued to evolve without losing its core identity.
There is no indication that growth will slow, but it is likely to follow the same pattern – incremental, considered and aligned with the needs of the industry. As farming systems continue to change, particularly with ongoing pressure around efficiency and sustainability, contracting businesses will need to adapt.
Reymer Ag is well positioned to do that. It has a strong foundation, a clear understanding of its market and a structure that allows it to respond to change. More importantly, it has maintained the qualities that have defined it from the beginning: reliability, innovation and a commitment to doing the job properly.
In an industry where those qualities still carry the most weight, that is what continues to set it apart.