Thursday, 03 October 2019 08:55

DairyNZ’s new man in Naki

Written by  Staff Reporters
DairyNZ Taranaki regional leader Mark Laurence. DairyNZ Taranaki regional leader Mark Laurence.

DairyNZ's new Taranaki regional leader, Mark Laurence, plans to help the region’s farmers continue adapting to their fast-changing environment.

Laurence has 20 years experience in dairy sector and has worked in NZ and elsewhere in hands-on advisory and training and development roles.

He will lead four consulting officers who work with dairy farmers in Taranaki. 

“A big part of our focus is getting to know farmers and ensuring we help build and improve their farm business,” he said.

“Initially I’ll be getting to know the team and then adding value for farmers -- getting out to meet them and helping them respond to challenges and opportunities.”

They will advise farmers on new technology, best practice and good business management.   

Laurence started in the dairy sector in 1999 when he worked part-time for Massey University farms while studying. 

“I love the dairy sector,” he said. “Working for Massey introduced me to getting up at 4am and milking cows, research and the broader industry interactions.

“Of course, you get to deal with good people. I would happily spend all day talking to farmers.”

Laurence was most recently an area manager for Fonterra and previously a consulting officer in Northland for DairyNZ’s predecessor Dexcel and manager of a large dairy operation in Manawatu. He ran a training and development farm in Sri Lanka for Fonterra.

“New Zealand is in an enviable position. What we’ve got compared to other countries is massive. We have advantages developed by hard work and ingenuity,” he said.

His parents live in Waitara.

More like this

Owl Farm marks 10 years as NZ’s first demonstration dairy farm

In 2015, the signing of a joint venture between St Peter's School, Cambridge, and Lincoln University saw the start of an exciting new chapter for Owl Farm as the first demonstration dairy farm in the North Island. Ten years on, the joint venture is still going strong.

Featured

$2b boost in NZ exports to EU

New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

US tariffs hit European ag machinery markets

The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.

Tributes paid to Jim Bolger

Dignitaries from  all walks of life – the governor general,  politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and  friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Fonterra vote

OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.

Follow the police beat

OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter