Many employees transfer their skills across business units as they progress through their career. The path that Livestock Upper South Island Dairy Manager Barry Fox has taken is one example of the career opportunities that PGG Wrightson (PGW) offers.

Barry joined the company* in 2000 initially working in the Oamaru Rural Supplies store, then moved to a field role as a Technical Field Representative servicing customers in North Otago. In 2005 he took up the role of Livestock Dairy Agent servicing dairy farmers in North Otago. The opportunity arose for Barry to move into a management role in 2017 and he now oversees the dairy team from the Waitaki River north including Canterbury, the West Coast and Mid and South Canterbury.



Barry said, “I always saw myself as having a career in the rural sector and I enjoy working alongside farming families. While my role at PGW has changed over the years, I’ve been able to progress my career while staying with the same company. The long-term relationships you build, both within PGW and with customers, are hugely valuable.”



“I began my career at PGW working in the rural supplies team, which provided me with a sound foundation in pasture management, animal health and a variety of farm systems. Having this background was an advantage when I joined the livestock team. If you continue to deliver the best outcome for your customers, you earn their trust over time. It’s essential in our role, as farmers are seeking knowledge and opportunity as markets change and innovation is introduced to the agricultural sector.”



“Over the last two years or so the dairy industry has gone through significant change, with an increased emphasis on biosecurity, traceability of animal movements and animal health. When put in a situation like the dairy industry is facing with M bovis, you call on all of your industry knowledge and networks to support your team and assist your customers.”



“During this time of intense change, our dairy team has adjusted how we service our customers. We are still in a transitional period, so there’s a new normal now, but its status continues to change. I’m very proud of the team and how they demonstrated agility and maintained a high standard of service despite significant challenges.”



“We now have in place increased biosecurity measures, which we welcome. It gives our customers peace of mind and we need to do whatever is required to support the Government’s goal of eradicating M bovis from New Zealand,” said Barry.



Long term customers of Barry, primarily through his tenure as a Livestock Dairy Agent, are Greg and Ali Morresey of Hunter Dairies Ltd. Greg and Ali have progressed through the industry from Greg’s early days working on a Taranaki dairy farm, to sharemilking in Southland and North Otago. They are currently part equity owners in a South Canterbury dairy farm. Greg and Ali manage three Fraser Group dairy operations, milking 2,500 cows, and they have a 33 percent equity partnership in one of those farms.



Greg said, “our relationship with Barry goes back about 10 years. Barry took care of our livestock trading for us before we took up the role at Fraser Group about four years ago. Now that Barry is in a management role, one of the local Agents Neil Carter takes care of our livestock trading for us.”



“We farm in the South Canterbury area which was one of the first areas where M bovis was detected. Our herd has not been affected by M bovis. In extraordinary situations like this having someone to call on with Barry’s experience and industry connections was invaluable.”



“Farming is a family business. I manage the team over the three farms. Ali and the team, along with help from our kids Alexa and Ben in the weekends, rear over 900 calves each year. So, we all have a part to play in the future of this property. “



We have an environmental farm plan which includes fencing off waterways and planting in key areas. The delivery of this plan not only helps the environment but provides for future generations.”



“Our philosophy has always been to keep it simple and do it well. So that is the approach we take for our business and with the trusted advisors we choose to work with, such as Barry. He’s not just a company rep, he’s part of our team,” concluded Greg.



*The ‘company’ referred to is Reid Farmers Ltd, an organisation which merged with Pyne Gould Guinness Ltd in 2001, which subsequently merged with Wrightson Ltd in 2005 to form PGG Wrightson Ltd.