Location
Pongaroa, Tararua region.
What is your day job?
I currently work for AsureQuality as a Field Technician. I do Tuburculosis and Blood testing on cattle and also disbud calves during the winter and spring. My partner, Finley and I run a sheep and beef breeding farm in the hills of the Tararua, which keeps me busy enough too.
How did you come to be involved with Future Beef NZ?
I met Sue Wylie through work not long after I had moved from Australia. I mentioned how I would love to get involved in showing again and she pointed me in the right direction.
What is your favourite part of the Hoof and Hook competition?
The whole process of selecting a steer out of the paddock, bringing it in for training and finishing it. I find it a good challenge to get the most out of an animal and present it to the best of its ability. I find interesting the variances between breeds and how genetics affect the carcass traits.
Why do you think a competition like hoof and hook is important to the industry?
I believe it is extremely important for the people of the beef industry to be involved in this style of competition as it teaches so much about cattle handling, and the finishing of cattle. It also encourages farmers from different backgrounds and systems to compare and learn from each other, as they are the ones supplying the cattle for these competitions. FutureBeef is vital to getting the youth of the beef industry and wider community involved and giving an understanding into beef markets and products.
What is your role for Future Beef New Zealand?
I am a general committee member, so dabble in a bit of everything to help organise the event.
What is the best advice (life or career) that you’ve ever been given?
Take the road less travelled, because nothing changes if nothing changes.