Rural Supplies Technical Team

Technical Manager – Animal Production
BVSc

Andrew joined PGG Wrightson after a 14 year career as a farm vet. Andrew’s training and seminars for both PGG Wrightson staff and farmers reflect that animal health cannot be considered in isolation from feeding. Many of our current animal health goals on farm would be better served if animals were fed optimally, particularly adult stock. Feeding stock for performance is very different from feeding to get through and also brings its own animal health issues.

Technical Expert – Animal Health (SI)
BVSc (Dist)

Jason has recently joined PGG Wrightson after 24 years as a vet in practice, which included varied roles involving farm production animals across both dairy and sheep/beef/deer. Also during this time a 2.5 year role with a veterinary pharmaceutical company as a technical advisor was undertaken. Having grown up on a farm and also leased/owned farms, Jason brings a strong practical working knowledge of animal health issues and solutions.

The Dairy Nutritionist
BSc (Agr) (Hons) MSc NZARN

Andrea is a cow advocate with a passion for working alongside farmers to educate and empower them in decision making, which benefits the cows in finding the balance of production, reproduction and health. With a decade of experience as a nutritionist in the New Zealand dairy industry, Andrea works collaboratively with clients with a view to working beyond traditional concepts and limits leading to sustainability and profitability for the farm business.

Technical Expert – Animal Nutrition
BAppSc (Agriculture) AARNe, member NZARN

Steve joined PGG Wrightson after 6 years with an animal nutrition company. He graduated with a bachelor of applied science in agriculture. In 2013 he became one of the first New Zealanders to pass the Australian association of ruminant nutrition (AARN) exam. Steve has also worked in fertiliser/agronomy roles as well as dairy farming. Steve brings a passion for a forage based system approach as the foundation to his nutrition work.

Technical Specialist Soil Science (NI)
BSc (Agr) (Hons)

Jay joined PGG Wrightson after working for Massey University as a Soil Scientist for the past 5 years; whilst also studying for his PhD. He was born on the West Coast of the South Island, however grew up in the North Island. Jay spent 15 years growing vegetables and cereals (in Cambridgeshire, UK) for England's largest supermarket. Returning to New Zealand with his family in 2010, he is now based out of Palmerston North. Jay has a passion for nutrient management and sustainability to improve New Zealand farming practices.

Technical Specialist Agronomy (NI)
NDA (Farm Management)

Gary recently joined the technical team after 19 years as a Senior Agronomist and Regional Technical Manager at Agrii UK and has managed large farming operations throughout the United Kingdom. Gary has experience in maize, arable, pasture, vegetable and brassica agronomy and is based in Pukekohe.

Technical Specialist Agronomy (SI)
MSc (Hons) BSc

Matthew has 20 years’ experience in the agricultural industry working within both production and technical roles focused on crop agronomy and production systems. After graduating from Lincoln University, he built a strong practical background working within New Zealand’s processing, arable, seed and agri-chemical industries. Matthew’s goal is to use his depth of knowledge and on-farm experience to create practical solutions that implement current industry best practice to improve the profitability of New Zealand farms.