How being the fifth generation on a Clinton family farm has provided experience and insight to set up a new trainee’s livestock career. 

Growing up on a farm that has been in his family for more than 100 years, agriculture was always Michael Beattie’s most likely career.

Michael’s parents, David and Sarah, who are the fourth generation sheep and beef farmers on a 505-hectare finishing farm located in Clinton, were great role models.

“They showed me what you can achieve with hard work. On a farm you’ll get both good and bad years. They come in waves. Everyone has their own outlook, nobody has a wrong or right way, which is the unique thing about farming. You need a range of different skills and perspectives. What I saw growing up was how hard Dad and Mum worked, on the farm, with the stock, building relationships with others you need for the support you require to succeed,” he says.

Which gave Michael a clear picture of what makes a good farmer.

“You need a passion for it. Every year is not the same. It’s not always going to be rainbows and butterflies. It’s labour intensive, and like any business you need good financial management, balancing that with looking after the land, being sustainable, minimising the effect of your farming practices. When I was growing up my parents’ strong work ethic was always evident, which is what you need to be an effective farmer.”  

After his school years, spent as a boarder at Dunedin’s John McGlashan College, Michael headed to Lincoln University. Funding his studies out of wages earned during his holidays driving tractors at Southern Baling for Warren Copland and picking up a handpiece and crutching for Keen Crutching, Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture Commerce in 2022.

“Being on the crutching trailer, I was able to see different farmers every day, meeting a range of people, being able to handle a variety of different breeds was a great experience. I enjoyed being in a team. There were four of us together crutching, working hard, all aiming for a high standard, doing the best job possible for each farmer. It was a physical but enjoyable challenge.”

For the next stage of his education Michael elected to take a working gap year, gaining agriculture experience overseas, including four months driving tractors for a contractor in Dumfries, Scotland and then closer to home completing an Australian harvest in Moree, NSW.

“Learning what farming is like in different countries was interesting: different farming practices, increasing my knowledge. Seeing the similarities and also the differences gives you a huge insight,” he says.

Back in New Zealand he returned to the crutching trailer in spring 2023, then in November Michael accepted the challenge and opportunity that comes with a PGG Wrightson traineeship.

“I’m looking forward to the variety of work. I like being around people and making new connections, and I’m keen to explore different parts of Otago. As a livestock agent, your most important role is to help farmers maximise profits. The farmer comes first. Meeting with farmers, doing the best job you can, aiming for the best outcome, that’s our job.

“I’m focused on learning: being organised, developing my people skills and putting farmers first. That is the person you are selling for; you need to get them the best price.”

While he has plenty to learn, Michael is drawing on a wealth of experience, training with PGG Wrightson Livestock’s wider Otago team, under Palmerston-based Gerard Shea.

“His passion and dedication to the industry stands out, with more than 20 years’ experience. Learning from Gerard is highly beneficial, and will set my career in the right direction,” says Michael.

At the end of the traineeship, he’s looking forward to settling into his own area.

“Most likely it’ll be in the South Island, and I’m open to go wherever I’m needed. I wouldn’t turn down a job in the North Island. I look at my colleagues who have built up large client bases and gained good reputations and trust among their clients. That’s the next step for me, and I’m looking forward to it. Like some of them, my longer-term goal is to own land myself, while staying in this job, using and developing my knowledge of the livestock industry by owning land and stock. I see colleagues doing the same thing, and that really appeals to me,” says Michael.

Outside work, sport and the outdoors take up most of Michael’s leisure time: hunting and diving around the Otago region, or playing golf and rugby, where he is a halfback, looking to play for Kaikorai in Dunedin in the 2025 season.