| 17 Russell Fredric Kylie Dorr returned to New Zealand with two young sons, specialist livestock reproduction skills and little else. Less than five years later, she leads a growing independent agribusiness. Based in Tapanui, West Otago, Southern Reproductive has expanded from a one-person operation into a business employing more than 20 seasonal staff across the South Island, providing artificial insemination, veterinary technician support and veterinary ultrasound equipment nationwide. Kylie started the business after returning from eight years in the United States, where she had worked in livestock reproduction. “I started Southern Reproductive not quite five years ago. It was just myself working part-time, utilising the skills I’d learnt from dairy farming and working in reproduction back in America. “I needed a job that was flexible because I was torn being an employee and didn’t think I could be both a good mum and a good employee at the same time, hence why I chose to start my company.” Southern Reproductive has since diversified well beyond artificial insemination. The business now provides pregnancy scanning, dry-off and teat sealing services, DNA testing, calf weighing programmes and artificial insemination training. Around 18 months ago, it also secured the New Zealand distribution rights for IMV veterinary ultrasound equipment, which Kylie says has become the company’s largest division. The company’s point of difference is its independence. Rather than selling genetics, the company works alongside all genetics providers, allowing farmers to choose their preferred genetics supplier while Southern Reproductive focuses solely on reproductive services. “Our whole goal is to provide service to the Fi Innovations is a leading New Zealand specialist in 3D additive manufacturing, composites and resin applications. Turning great ideas into reality. 3D PRINTING & SCAN FIBREGLASS FLOORING BOATBUILDING POOL REFURBISHMENT RHINO UTE LINERS Phone: +64 3 216 6650 Email: info@f-i.co.nz Website: f-i.co.nz Address: 38 Otepuni Avenue Invercargill 9812 UȍǽȚLJ৹ȗǽ৹ǀNj৹ȐȚȊȊǽȍȗǡǷǘ ĵĵĵƵ »Ęđ£ÁĴ Ý ĘúĔĻ Ƶ ¼ú Ƶ ôŃ Ý ôÖúǡ»Ęđ£ÁĴ Ý ĘúĔĻ Ƶ ¼ú Ƶ ôŃ ŊŒŊŊƤŌŒőƤŌŐŐ Kylie’s journey to agribusiness success RURAL PEOPLE » Southern Reproductive Kylie started the business after returning from eight years in the United States, where she had worked in livestock reproduction. highest level possible with really strict protocols and procedures in place. We don’t talk genetics, and both our farmers and the genetics companies really respect that. I think the proof is that we wouldn’t have seen this growth otherwise.” Technology is reshaping the industry. Increased adoption of wearable monitoring systems is extending artificial insemination seasons, prompting Southern Reproductive to establish its own artificial insemination training school, giving farmers and managers greater flexibility to inseminate smaller groups of cows outside scheduled technician visits. Winning the Emerging Enterprise category at the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards recognised both Kylie’s achievement and the company’s growth. “Sometimes when you’re in the trenches and you’ve got big goals and big ideas, it’s easy to get lost in all of that. It’s really nice to be recognised that all the hard work’s worth it, and it’s encouragement to keep going.” Kylie says she is equally looking forward to connecting with other business owners through the Rural Women New Zealand network, something she has found difficult while building a business in a small rural town. “I’ve got some really big goals, much bigger than where we are right now, and it’s been hard to meet other people on that same path. I’m looking forward to developing friendships with other women who think like I do.” The resilience behind Southern Reproductive can be traced back to a difficult chapter in Kylie’s life. She returned to New Zealand with a newborn, a toddler, two suitcases and less than $1,000, effectively starting over. “I’ve been through some really difficult challenges, and because of that I always ask myself, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ and most things aren’t that scary anymore. I definitely attribute a lot of my business growth and success to those hard times.”
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