Making a switch and noticing the difference between farming and livestock trading, where making the farmer happy is the number one priority.

Stephen Wheeler began as a PGG Wrightson sheep, beef and dairy livestock representative in Taumarunui in December 2023.

“It’s a relationship business. Although I’ve had some experience of that in the past, this role takes it to another level. I’m thriving on it,” he says.

From a Taumarunui farming family of 60 years standing, Stephen and wife Trudie farmed up to 8000 stock units in partnership with his parents Neville and Elaine for 15 years on a 1000-hectare Kaitieke Valley sheep and beef property.

“My parents were ready to retire, and we couldn’t afford to buy them out. While selling such a beautiful farm was a pity, we moved closer to town and schooling, they retired and all round it’s been the right option for everyone.”

Between quitting the farm and picking up his livestock role, Stephen spent a few years as an agriculture contractor.

“I bought a sheep conveyor, a sheep dip and a crutching trailer. By dagging their sheep, I got to know plenty of local farmers, which made for a smooth transition to this role, though attitudes can be a little different when you’re contracting to farmers, as opposed to buying or selling stock for them.”

He notices the differences between farming and trading in livestock.

“On the farm, up to a point, everything you do from year to year is scripted. What you do this year is the same as last year, and will be the same next year, give or take. As a livestock representative, nothing is the same. You may have the same farmer offering or requiring the same stock this year as next year, then the following year you might find them saying: ‘Sorry I can’t do it this time around,’ so you need to go somewhere else, and adapt to the uncertainty.

“In some respects, the job means you are constantly on call. I’m known for being on my phone, so from that perspective the job has been an ideal fit.”

At times it can be stressful.

“Sometimes the stakes are high, especially on sale day. If you have trucks arriving late, with half an hour until the sale starts, needing to pen everything up so they are ready to sell, that can be a challenge. However, that’s also good fun, and in King Country we have a great group of colleagues to work with. Our crew is superb,” says Stephen.

Taking care of his clients motivates him most.

“Some of the farmers I represent are single, only go to town for groceries, never married, no children, and maybe suffer from ‘end-of-the-road’ syndrome. They will admit to me that they are socially awkward: they don’t know how to walk into a room and talk to people. They might not see anyone for two months.

“When I turn up, I’m their best mate. If it hasn’t rained for a while or the prices are down, when you’re isolated like that, it can take its toll on your mood and the black dog may be circling. I like people being happy, so if you’re working with someone in that situation, it’s vital to ensure a good outcome for them, sending a load of lambs out the driveway at a positive price, and thinking they’d better call me again in a couple of weeks.

“Making the farmer happy gets me out of bed in the morning. Finding a group of people you enjoy dealing with, and vice versa, is what defines success as a livestock rep.”

If relationships make Stephen’s world go round, he reckons he lucked into his most important one.

“Trudie is from Hawke’s Bay. As her first posting as a nurse, she came to Taumarunui to the local hospital, and I grabbed her. There were three new graduates in a photo on the front page of the local newspaper, Trudie and two of her mates. It was almost like an advertisement.”

Now they have three boys: Lewis 15, Oliver 12, and Mason 10. Stephen takes a keen interest in the boys’ love of rugby, alongside the couple’s Owhango block, where they run livestock themselves, lambing ewes, and grazing cattle.

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