Growing up alongside her four siblings, the 25-year-old describes life on the farm as a highlight of her childhood, one full of adventure but also rich in lessons that have stayed with her. She says it taught her resilience, a strong sense of personal responsibility and how to stay calm under pressure.
“Life on the farm taught us the value of hard work, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to really appreciate just how hard Mum and Dad worked to build the business and how hard they continue to work today. I feel lucky to have a farming background; it’s remained a key driver behind my passion for the agricultural industry.”
Keen to deepen her understanding of the sector, Madeleine saw university as an important opportunity, particularly as agriculture wasn’t offered at her high school. Inspired by growing up in a family of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University graduates, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Animal Science, majoring in Breeding and Genetics.
“I wanted to develop specialised knowledge that would allow me to make a positive contribution to the agricultural industry. I’m passionate about helping farmers, and building strong, trusted relationships across the industry is something I value highly. Studying animal science helped me become more well-rounded and confident in the advice I can provide on farm.”
Madeleine describes her time at Massey as both challenging and rewarding.
“It pushed me to think critically, build confidence and develop skills I use every day in my role. Massey also gave me opportunities to network, meet new people and build relationships that have had a huge impact on my career.”
After graduating, she joined Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) as an Agri Manager based in Stratford, where she managed a portfolio of around 170 clients. In this role, she supported farmers with tailored solutions to help them achieve their business goals.
“It was a fantastic learning opportunity that helped build my confidence, communication skills and ability to challenge thinking constructively. I was lucky to have great mentors, and when I started considering a move to Hamilton after three years, I was strongly supported in taking the next step in my career development. It was bittersweet leaving my team, but their support made the decision much easier.”
Now working as a Herd Improvement Specialist at LIC’s head office, Madeleine supports the New Zealand Markets team by analysing customer data, answering complex queries and developing tailored reports and resources.
“I really enjoy combining the technical principles from my degree with practical, on-farm experience. My focus is on enabling insight-led conversations that help farmers make breeding and management decisions aligned with their goals,” she explains.
Madeleine representing LIC at Fieldays.
Bringing together her farming background, academic study and industry experience, she says she’s proud to have built a career that genuinely helps farmers make better decisions for their businesses.
“I’m passionate about herd improvement and exploring what this means to each farmer. At its core, it’s about ensuring each year’s replacement heifers are genetically superior, more productive and ultimately, more profitable than the last.”
Outside of work, Madeleine is an avid traveller, having visited 21 countries.
“Some of my recent highlights include exploring Central America, visiting Chichen Itza in Mexico, and hiking and camping on the active Acatenango volcano in Guatemala. I also enjoy cooking, baking, staying active at the gym and getting outside for walks and hikes.”
Reflecting on her journey so far, Madeleine says two key lessons stand out: backing yourself, and building relationships.
“I’ve learned the importance of being open to opportunities, even when they feel a little uncomfortable. Growth often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Also, the value of relationships. Taking the time to listen, understand different perspectives and build trust makes a real difference, both professionally and personally.”
Looking ahead, Madeleine is focused on continuing to grow her technical skills and industry knowledge, with the long-term goal of growing in roles where she can bridge the gap between data, science and practical on-farm decision-making.