Independent and locally owned, North Otago Pastoral Services is proud to support farmers in the Waitaki region. By offering expert on-farm agronomy advice, custom grain and seed mixes and treatments, plus a whole host of rural farming supplies and chemicals, everything we do adds value.

North Otago Pastoral Services had humble beginnings

Established back in 1991 by Barry and Shirley Compton, the idea for the company came about when Barry decided to go out on his own after spending over four decades working in the agricultural supply industry (Woodhams & Co, Holder & Tolley Ltd and Elders Pastoral Ltd).

Barry managed the business, working in the office in the mornings, then spending the afternoon around the farms as the Company Representative. Shirley took care of administration and accounts and Gerard Dawson (a colleague from Hodder & Tolley and Elders) managed the shop. It wasn’t long before business picked up.

As North Otago’s agricultural landscape changed from cropping to dairying, Barry, Shirley and Gerard adapted quickly to the changing needs of the farming community. The rest, as they say, is history.

After 25 years of trading, the Comptons sold the business

As an independent, locally owned operation, Barry and Shirley did with North Otago Pastoral Services what many thought they couldn’t – compete with the big national rural supply chains. But, after 25 years of trading, the Comptons put the business up for sale ahead of their retirement.

Keen to sell to a company that shared their family values and would keep their staff on, Barry and Shirley sold North Otago Pastoral Services to DC Turnbull & Co Ltd – a Timaru-based agricultural family company who took over in June 2016.

New owners, same integrity and quality of service

By retaining the original company name because of its trusted reputation, we continue to build on the successful foundations Barry and Shirley established, sharing their passion for supporting North Otago’s farmers through thick and thin.

Because we’re independently owned, we have the flexibility to react to changes in the market quickly. Our extensive knowledge of agronomy, plus current and upcoming products and systems, means we can provide our customers with solid advice from an independent standpoint. This allows us to operate with the same integrity and commitment to quality Barry and Shirley did, and continue to be North Otago’s trusted agricultural partner.