After nine years as PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics Manager, he’s pulling on his boots and rolling up his sleeves.

Callum Stewart has been a member of the PGG Wrightson Livestock National Genetics team since 2008, and its manager since 2016. Deciding it’s time for a refresh, both for himself and for the eight-member team, Callum recently stepped away from the management role and back into the fray as a commercial livestock representative, mainly servicing Manawatū, Whanganui, and Rangitikei farmers.

“I’ve always focused on helping clients get the best out of their business – making sure a solid livestock or breeding plan turns into solid results. Although not always seen, it is a vital, rewarding and highly enjoyable part of the job. Being face-to-face with clients, day to day, I’m looking forward to fully immersing myself in that.

“At the same time, for one person to sit in the same position too long is not healthy for the business or the individual. The business needs to be able to take the next step. After 10 years, it’s time for someone else to come in with fresh ideas and use the strength of the team to propel it to the next level. I’m proud of the capable team we have built and looking forward to seeing someone else pick that up and run with it,” he says.

Looking back over his tenure as National Genetics Manager, Callum is proud of the strategies he has developed and delivered.

“We’ve worked together to ensure everyone in the team takes responsibility for their own business. Each member knows who they are looking after, and they are all accountable. Working in unison, working as a team, all sharing the same ambition, and aiming for the same outcome: to achieve what’s the best for the client. We’ve managed to ensure these are the goals that are driving all members of the Genetics team,” he says.

A strong auctioneering strategy where the wisdom and knowledge of the more experienced team members is used to mentor the younger auctioneers; and forging partnerships with like-minded genetics businesses in Australia and the United States are the other strong legacies Callum is proud to leave from his time in the role.

“Being back out in the field, serving as a commercial livestock rep, back into old school stock agency, the corporate and people skills I’ve developed over the past ten years will be useful to my clients. Once a stock agent, you never lose the thirst for the cut and the chase. I’m highly motivated to put my boots on and roll my sleeves up once again,” he says.

One key aspect of his previous role that Callum has no intention of leaving behind is the discipline of genetics: where this understanding is heading in the bigger farming picture and where best to use that to further improve productivity on-farm.

“That’s an interest and body of knowledge I have developed, and one that I will continue to progress. Knowing what the market wants and ensuring you produce animals that meet those criteria is the difference between excellence and mediocrity. With progeny potentially coming through for several seasons, selecting bulls or rams can have long-term consequences for a farm. So long as I keep it fresh and updated, in my new role I know the specialist expertise I have acquired as a genetics rep will add real value for commercial sheep and beef farming clients,” he says.

A second-generation livestock representative, Callum’s father HR (Bill) Stewart moved from the East Coast to Manawatu in 1969, establishing himself as one of the region’s most respected in the business before his retirement in 2017. Callum himself began as an independent commercial livestock representative in Feilding in 1996, progressing through all classes of livestock in various North and South Island districts, as well as developing the skills that make him one of the country’s top auctioneers. Continuing the family theme, in his new role he’s now working alongside his brother Maurice, PGG Wrightson Livestock area manager for Manawatū-Whanganui. Callum is greatly looking forward to working closely with Maurice and the team.

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