What first sparked your interest in farming & agriculture?

I grew up on a sheep and arable farm in rural Canterbury, New Zealand, where agriculture is a way of life. From an early age, I was involved in all aspects of the farm, whether it was in the paddock shifting break fences, the sheep yards or woolshed during shearing. One of the more unique parts of my background is my involvement with Clydesdales. Having them in New Zealand, and both breeding and training them in Australia. Working with heavy horses taught me a lot about patience, responsibility, and the value of a strong connection between animals and people, lessons that carry through to my work in livestock nutrition today.

What is your role at Riverina?

Territory Sales Manager, my primary role is to manage and grow customer relationships. I work closely with farmers and resellers to understand their livestock needs and provide solutions that will improve their productivity and profitability.

A lot of my day is spent face to face with clients, discussing feed programs and options, troubleshooting issues, or helping them adjust rations based on seasonal changes or livestock performance with the help of our nutritionists!

It’s a mix of technical advice, relationship management, and problem solving, with a strong focus on being proactive and responsive for both animal nutrition and rural business operations.

What do you find most rewarding about your role at Riverina?

One of the most rewarding parts of my role at Riverina is the opportunity to travel across Queensland and visit a wide range of farming operations. I feel very fortunate to see some incredible parts of the country and to have producers open their gates and welcome us onto their properties it's something I genuinely appreciate.

The most satisfying part, though, is seeing the results of our feed on clients’ livestock. Helping producers improve weight gain, animal health, or overall productivity and knowing the feed played a key role is incredibly fulfilling.

Preferred animal type you enjoy working with? 

My favourite animals to work with are sheep, beef cattle, and horses. Sheep have always been a strong focus for me, and it’s where my nutrition knowledge is the most solid, having grown up on a sheep farm and worked extensively in that space.

How can farmers tell if their animals' nutritional needs are truly being met? 

The quickest clue is the animal’s overall condition and behaviour. Well-fed stock have a healthy body score, bright eyes, and a strong appetite grazing or moving about the paddock with energy. In contrast, animals that are slow to rise, appear dull or thin, or have rough coats may be missing key nutrients. Ongoing issues like poor growth, lower fertility, or uneven production can also signal a nutritional gap.