For Darren Minter, fourth-generation farmer and owner of Minter Magic, what began as an 80-acre family farm has grown into an 800-acre powerhouse supplying almonds and citrus to supermarkets across 30 countries.
“We started with patches of dirt,” Darren recalls. “Dad, Mum, Anne-Marie and I built that to 250 acres, and I’ve since expanded it to 800.” Today, Minter Magic operates 400 acres of almonds, 350 acres of citrus, and maintains 30 acres of asparagus.
Each expansion brought new challenges—particularly in managing orchard waste efficiently while meeting strict export standards. The solution came through revolutionising an often-overlooked aspect of operations: mulching technology. What began as equipment upgrades became key to their global success.
The Mulching Problem
Like many growers, Minter Magic initially relied on contractors for their mulching needs. But this solution came with significant limitations. “The contractors’ mulchers smashed everything into big chunks,” Darren explains. These large wood pieces decomposed slowly, creating conditions for pests like snails and carpophilus beetles and crab moth to thrive between seasons.
The turning point came when Darren invested in his first Seppi fixed-hammer mulcher.
Revolutionising Orchard Management: The Seppi Mulcher Advantage
Minter Magic’s transition to Seppi mulching technology marked a turning point. Their fleet now includes:
- A Seppi MINIFORST pickup mulcherfor almonds, creating fine, rapid-decomposing chips that eliminate pest habitats.
- A Seppi S9 coupe mulcherfor asparagus and citrus, delivering precision cuts even over irrigation lines without damage.
Haeusler’s Mildura, Australia’s largest privately owned almond farm, also relies on the S9 coupe for sanitising runs—a testament to its durability after testing (and wearing out) competing brands.
Key Benefits:
Precision Chip Production: “The chips are that fine – it’s sensational,” Darren emphasizes. The machine’s ability to create uniform, rapidly decomposing chips has transformed their waste management process, a stark contrast to the large, slow-to-breakdown chunks left by previous solutions.
Uncompromising Performance: Where older equipment faltered, their Seppi mulcher thrives. “It chips away in any weather conditions, any soil conditions,” Darren notes, highlighting its reliability during critical operational windows.
Export-Grade Orchard Hygiene: The mulcher has become their frontline defense against pests. “We use it to smash up all our almonds left behind,” Darren explains. “This precision chipping prevents carpophilus beetle carryover between seasons.” The exact chip thickness proves crucial for maintaining the hygiene standards demanded by international markets.
System-Wide Efficiency: Beyond its primary function, the Seppi mulcher benefits their entire operation:
-
Reduced Equipment Strain: Its efficient hydraulic system minimizes stress on their tractors
-
Operational Flexibility: Performs equally well in both almond and citrus groves
-
Time Savings: Eliminates the scheduling challenges of contractor dependence
This comprehensive solution has made the Seppi mulcher an indispensable tool in Minter Magic’s daily operations and long-term strategy for maintaining their global market position.
With exports flowing to China, India, and across Asia – about 30 countries in total – Minter Magic can’t afford equipment failures. The Seppi mulcher has become indispensable, not just for almonds but for their citrus operations as well.
“We run it over clover to clean up under trees for our KCT programming for citrus to China,” Darren says. “We can even run it over the top of poly irrigation lines to clean everything up without damage.”
The strongest proof? Darren has purchased five Seppi mulchers over the years. “This is my fifth Seppi,” he states. “I highly recommend the Seppi Mulcher. The sales and backup from Haeusler’s Mildura and International Mowers are fantastic.”
From maintaining export-ready orchards to outperforming competitors’ gear, Seppi mulchers have become a quiet but essential partner in Minter Magic’s global rise—proving that the best innovations are those that simply work exceptionally well.
Growing Together
International Mowers is proud to support Minter Magic’s incredible journey and looks forward to continuing this partnership for generations to come. As Minter Magic continues innovating and meeting global demand, International Mowers remains committed to providing the cutting-edge equipment and service – from those first 80 acres to today’s global enterprise and beyond.
Ready to transform your operation? Contact International Mowers to discover how Seppi solutions can help you grow.