Helping clients maximise their margins

After completing his three year degree at Lincoln University, Jesse Houston spent a year working first on a sheep stud near Lauriston, Mid Canterbury, then a Blenheim sheep and beef property, starting his PGG Wrightson career learning the ropes for 15 months as a trainee in Otago.

“I spent time with all the company’s Otago livestock representatives right around the region. Every agent does things differently, so it’s good to spend time with different people on the job. I had the opportunity to spend time and observe a number of different working styles, so could pick and choose what I wanted to learn from each.”

Graduating from the trainee programme, in 2021 Jesse started as a livestock representative servicing the Oxford and Rangiora area. Having grown up in Mid Canterbury, it wasn’t so far from home, and a farming locality that he has quickly grown to appreciate.

“North Canterbury farmers have the ability to breed, fatten and trade stock when the season and feed curve allows. Every year is different, and every year has different challenges and opportunities, all driven by markets, weather, and the economy.

“In my role, ongoing fluctuations and changes in farm gate returns make trying to predict future pricing challenging. Buying and selling lines of stock that perform and do well, seeing clients succeed, helping them to maximise their margins and therefore feeling happy with the service I provide, that's what makes the job truly satisfying,” he says.

While home base is Oxford, Jessie spends much of his spare time across the Waimakariri River on a small Hororata block he owns, pursuing his interest in deer farming with a mob of 100 velveting stags. 

Otherwise hunting and rugby keep him occupied in the winter, turning out in the latter in the forward pack of his local Oxford Rugby Club Division Ones: “A good group of young fellas, though we struggle a bit in terms of winning games,” while he’s often to be found diving or fishing in the summer.