Kate is an experienced agribusiness consultant whose expertise expands over sheep and beef, dairy, and commercial market gardening businesses.

Kate is well connected in the greater Ruapehu region. She was raised on her family 850 hectare sheep, beef, and deer farm north-east of Taumarunui. Kate and husband Sam, now lease 520 hectares in partnership for breeding/finishing near Ohakune, where their three children Mila, Tom and Gus enjoy helping out as much as they can.

Kate completed a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Agriculture at Massey University. Summer's were usually spent at large drystock stations in central North Island, including Lochinver Station. Following completion of her degree Kate moved to the central Waikato to join a progressive privately owned fertiliser company that provided a comprehensive and whole farm approach to soil, nutrient management, and agronomy advice.

The role developed into providing clients with farm advisory services and during this time Kate trained under top farm system and dairy nutrition specialists in New Zealand and Australia. The position allowed her to work across regions in addition to the Waikato, including Northland, Taranaki, Manawatu and the Hawkes Bay.

Following close to five years in the role, the Waimarino district was calling so Kate became self-employed as the Director of Top Line Agriculture Ltd where she worked as an independent farm advisor for five years.

Kate has been with AgFirst since September 2019 and continues to enjoy grass roots agribusiness which is reflected in her diverse skillset. She enjoys on-farm management consultancy, and has strong foundation in technical and financial advice, whilst maintaining practicality and relevance through her full involvement within their own farming businesses.
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Key Skills:

• Financial and Business Management Skills: financial analysis, budgeting, cash flows, feasibility studies, lease appraisals, whole farm assessments, Dairybase, Farm Focus, Xero and Figured user.
• Technical Management: feed budgeting and ruminant nutrition, independent soil and fertiliser advice, stock policy and management, Farmax User.
• Environmental Management: nutrient budgeting/Overseer, nutrient management plans, whole farm plans, environmental plans.
• Human Resources: staff recruitment within dry stock and dairy - including contract milkers and sharemilkers, employment contracts, reviews and contract terminations.

Qualifications and Achievements:

• Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Agriculture
• Intermediate and Advanced Certificates in Sustainable Nutrient Management in New Zealand Agriculture
• Member of New Zealand Instituteof Primary Industry Management and NZIPIM Accredited Farm Systems Consultant
• Facilitating Learning and Change Program 1
• In-Calf Trained Advisor and Accredited Body Condition Score Assessor
• Finalist Farmax Dairy Consultant of the Year
• Facilitator Ruapehu-Whanganui Rural Support Trust
• Connector/Support for setting up Waimarino Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Group