Advancing with agribusiness on the road to farm ownership

After finishing at Francis Douglas Memorial College, Conor knew he wanted to study agribusiness at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University due to the clear pathway it provided. Majoring in farm management, he says he was eager to learn more about the financial and farm knowledge necessary to thrive in the sector.

Conor says it was the lecturers and mentors he met during his studies that made all the difference, explaining that the eagerness to share knowledge and answer questions made classes enjoyable.

“Particularly Penny Back, Danny Donaghy and Peter Tozer were incredible to me, not only during my time at Massey, but also now that I have graduated. Their passion and enthusiasm for their papers cannot be matched, it motivated me to be a sponge and absorb as much knowledge as I could from them. They made attending lectures, practical days and farm trips a pleasure, and their classes quickly became the highlight of my uni week.”

Of all the things he learned, Conor says he most appreciates what he learned about himself, including how much he appreciates being around like-minded individuals.

“Completing my degree allowed me to grow my network and surround myself with people who are equally motivated to succeed in the agribusiness sector. The relationships you form at Massey are the best part of the tertiary experience.”

Conor says graduating from Massey in 2023 opened doors that have advanced his career, including the Grassroots Dairy Farming Graduate Management Programme in Canterbury.

“I was able to move into a 2IC position on a high-quality 900 cow farm in mid-Canterbury, which I wouldn’t have been able to do without my Massey degree. It’s also provided me countless networking opportunities, allowing me to work for highly regarded farmers and industry leaders, where I have built a strong group of mentors. It’s enabled me to learn a wide range of dairy farm systems and expand my skill set immensely.”

His proudest achievement to date was placing third in the National Dairy Trainee of the Year category at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in May this year, after winning the Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa Dairy Trainee category.

The 24-year-old is currently an assistant manager on a 680 cow dairy farm in Ōeo, Taranaki. A typical day for him includes making key animal health and pasture management decisions, milking, shifting young stock and effluent and farm maintenance. He says his degree was invaluable in preparing him for his career.

“My time at Massey added so many tools to my toolbox. The theory and skills I gained are things I use every day on the farm, from identifying suitable high-quality paddocks for grazing to recognising key animal health issues.”

Conor hopes to take on a management position next season to help improve his people, pasture and financial competency, and continue progressing his dairy farming career alongside his partner.

In the next few years, Conor says his primary goal is to enter a 50/50 sharemilking arrangement on his parents’ 350 cow dairy farm before taking over the family farm, making him the fourth generation to do so.

“The ultimate goal is to be in a position where my partner and I can expand our dairy farming portfolio to oversee two or three dairy farming operations while having time to be dairy industry leaders and help contribute to the next generation of dairy farmers.”

His advice for those considering study agribusiness at Massey is to give it a go.

“The networks you will make, the lessons you’ll learn and the experiences you’ll have will help build the foundation of your future. Massey provides an enjoyable and encouraging environment where you will benefit immensely and build personal and professional relationships that will stay with you.”