New Zealand Grazing South
Michelle has been heavily involved with dairy farming right from her childhood, spending most of her holidays on farms. Throughout high school and university she relief milked for various enterprises, and worked for what was then MAF blood testing cattle for Brucellosis. She graduated in 1995, and since then has been employed in various veterinary roles – from field veterinarian for MAF Quality Management to mixed practice specialising in large animal medicine, predominantly based in Southland. During this time she married a sharemilker and has two teenage daughters from that relationship. When they parted ways in 2008 she took over the lease on their 100Ha runoff just out of Gore, and has grazed cattle for clients since. Michelle is also passionate about horses which resulted in meeting her husband who now manages the farm. Over the years Michelle has also enjoyed non-veterinary roles. She is competent at Artificial Insemination and did three runs for Ambreed during and between pregnancies. Whilst sharemilking she managed the animal health, breeding and youngstock aspects of the business. She also spent four years teaching Rural Animal Technician students part time at the Southern Institute of Technology. Michelle would tell you it was the desire to try something different (that did not involve the demands of providing after hours emergency cover) which resulted in her applying for the New Zealand Grazing Company role of Service Manager. She is enjoying working with farmers throughout Southland and Otago, using her experience and knowledge to get the best results possible.
Megan is the girl on the ground in Southland. Directly reporting to Michelle she is the person in the yards, weighing and recording all your heifer information.
Megan has been a dairy calf rearer and AI tech assistant. She has a passion for dairy youngstock and works closely with our growers.