16 | ‘Farmer first’ focus Fodder Beet Trial, Southland (top). The Al & Juddy Show - Podcast, Glenn Judson & Allister Moorhead. Richard Loader Proprietary pasture and forage crop seed specialist Agricom has a proud history supporting rural retailers and the farming community throughout New Zealand and embraces a culture of research and development, along with people empowerment. When South Island Sales Lead Ben Trotter talks about what has underpinned the company’s success, he says it has been its focus on people. “Allowing our people to have the autonomy to develop and think laterally has enabled them to solve customer problems independently when presented, build relationships and be agile enough to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. “The other key to our success is a ‘farmer first’ philosophy. Everything else flows from getting that right and taking an intergenerational approach. Many of the end users we work with are into their second and third generation.” Agricom’s roots go back to the mid ’80s when Mid-Canterbury farmer John McKenzie, saw an opportunity for a third proprietary forage business in New Zealand. With a limited resource base, John forged enduring relationships with AgResearch and Crop & Food (now known as Plant & Food Research) seeking opportunities around germ plasm/ forage lines. While that led to opportunities, the real break came when DSIR exited plant breeding. DSIR had breeders, germ plasm, and agricultural research in Southland, Canterbury, Manawatu, Waikato, and overnight the funding was turned off. With the support of investors, John was able to invest into DSIR’s channels to keep the opportunities going, and it meant people had jobs. AGRONOMY » Agricom Agricom grew from a South Island operation with just a handful of forage products to one that had national application and forages for a whole range of different farm types. Today, Agricom is owned by DLF Seeds and markets over 55 different forages, with no category unrepresented. “Operating in the core space of pastoral technology, there are three primary parts to Agricom’s business operations,” explains Ben. “Our core function is the research and development, production and distribution of proprietary seeds to farmers. It’s also about grazing and management systems and systems that focus around how we can get our products to produce better returns for farmers. The second part of the business is partnering and collaborating with our customers, that being the rural retail network throughout New Zealand who supply farm inputs to farmers — companies like PGG Wrighton, Farmlands, Catalyst Performance Agronomy, Farmsource, along with a range of other independent businesses. So, it’s helping to empower them with information around the technologies that can enhance their clients’ businesses.” Ben makes the point that if a rural retailer or an end user wants more detail and support around a forage systems or the type of farm system being deployed, Agricom will offer some support to the retail customer on farm.” The third part of Agricom’s business focuses on developing solutions to some of the challenges faced by the wider agricultural industry. “For example, we’ve worked with industry partners such as DairyNZ, AgResearch, Fonterra, and Plant & Food Research to find solutions to the nitrate challenges faced by farmers, particularly around Canterbury. Covering Otago & Southland 0800 227 226 www.advance-agriculture.co.nz Proud to support Agricom Specialist Suppliers of Agricultural Chemical, Seed, Spray Equipment & GPS Precision Ag
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