Lochie started Farm Management Consulting in 1986, initially with MAF advisory services and latterly with Agfirst. Lochie has also had a farming career, leasing land off family to put the first deer post in during 1981. In 1990 Lochie and his wife Louise purchased the family property and set about on a development programme as well as increasing its scale running sheep cattle and deer.

While farming, Lochie continued off farm professional work, as well as taking up various governance roles with a number of directorships and chairmanship roles for a number of national and international businesses.

He brings a very experienced holistic approach to his work with farms, farming and the work he does past the farm gate.  Lochie remains passionate and optimistic about farming and the farming environment – farming is in his blood and in his thinking.

Lochie is currently leading the Catch Crop Sediment Mitigation Group project: www.catchcrop.nz. This group is undertaking research in developing mitigation and sustainable solutions for reducing sediment and nutrient losses in winter crops.

Qualifications:

•  Approved Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Farm Environment Management Plan provider
•  Green House Gas Emissions and Management (Massey University)
•  Advanced Sustainable Nutrient Management (Massey University)
•  Certificate in Company Direction (Institute of Directors NZ)
•  Kellogg Rural Leadership (Lincoln University)
•  Registered Farmax consultant
•  Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce (Lincoln College)

Lochie is involved in:

•  On Farm optimisation and on Farm modelling
•  Forage systems (with a particular emphasis on Fodder Beet, Plantain and winter crop management)
•  Farm Environment Management Plans
•  Precision Agriculture
•  Farm Governance
•  Farm Purchase and lease feasibilities
•  Succession planning
•  Supply Management systems and Meat Quality (targeted at a customer need)
•  Expert witness

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