86 | Grown significantly in its first two years The couple, who are both local to South Canterbury, identified the opportunity to start their business after returning to New Zealand following a decade in Australia. Karen Phelps South Canterbury based Jock Stock Livestock Services has grown significantly in its first two years of business. Established by Isabella and Jock Westgarth it offers tailing and sheep conveying across the South Island. “Jock noticed a gap in the livestock service industry around our region, which led us to purchase our tailing yards and the tailing conveyor in early 2024,” says Isabella. “From there we got on the phone and started building a business. Our first season as tailing contractors we tailed 180,000 lambs and we have plans to grow that number this coming spring.” The couple, who are both local to South Canterbury, identified the opportunity to start their business after returning to New Zealand following a decade in Australia where Jock worked on properties in New South Wales and western Australia as a stockman and Isabella worked in the animal health and rural supplies industries. “Starting a business has been a dream of ours since working in Australia. Having the opportunity to do so in New Zealand has been great because everyone knows everyone. Word of mouth has been one of the key ways our business has gained traction and grown,” explains Isabella. The couple say that what distinguishes Jock Stock Livestock Services from competitors is its approach to service delivery, professionalism and team culture. “What sets us apart is definitely our staff. We have a really reliable, local crew. They are friendly, hard-working and have a great team RURAL SERVICES » Westgarth Rural Ltd culture,” says Isabella. Jock is always out on the job with the crew because in his opinion you cannot run a livestock contracting crew from an office: “You need to be ‘boots on the ground’,” says Jock, although he does admit with a smile to having one day away from tailing last year to be at the birth of his daughter. “The customers are always really satisfied with our crew and the quality of work we put in.” Operating from their headquarters west of Timaru, the business has cultivated a reputation for Visit farmside.co.nz or call 0800 32 76 74 ˇˢ Єˢ˨˥˜˦˛ʟ ˢ˨˥ ˥˨˥˔˟ ˕˨˦˜ˡ˘˦˦˘˦ ˡ˘˘˗ ˔˖˖˘˦˦ ˧ˢ ˛˜˚˛ʠˤ˨˔˟˜˧ˬ ˕˥ˢ˔˗˕˔ˡ˗ ˔ˡ˗ ˠˢ˕˜˟˘ ˦˘˥˩˜˖˘˦ʟ ˖ˢˠˣ˔˥˔˕˟˘ ˧ˢ ˧˛ˢ˦˘ ˜ˡ ˨˥˕˔ˡ ˔˥˘˔˦ʡ ˇ˛˔˧Ϡ˦ ˪˛ˬʟ ˦˜ˡ˖˘ ʥʣʣʦʟ ˪˘Ϡ˩˘ ˕˘˘ˡ ˢ˙˙˘˥˜ˡ˚ ˜ˡˡˢ˩˔˧˜˩˘ ˔ˡ˗ ˖ˢˠˣ˘˧˜˧˜˩˘ ˣ˥ˢ˗˨˖˧˦ ˧ˢ ˠ˘˘˧ ˧˛˘ ˖ˢˡˡ˘˖˧˜˩˜˧ˬ ˡ˘˘˗˦ ˢ˙ ˥˨˥˔˟ ʴˢ˧˘˔˥ˢ˔ʡ ʴˡ˗ ˔˦ ˗˜˚˜˧˔˟ ˡ˘˘˗˦ ˘˩ˢ˟˩˘ʟ ˦ˢ ˪˜˟˟ ˢ˨˥ ˢ˙˙˘˥˜ˡ˚˦ʟ ˔˟˪˔ˬ˦ ˟ˢˢ˞˜ˡ˚ ˔˛˘˔˗ ˧ˢ ˘ˡ˦˨˥˘ ˥˨˥˔˟ ˕˨˦˜ˡ˘˦˦˘˦ ˛˔˩˘ ˔˖˖˘˦˦ ˧ˢ ˧˛˘ ˟˔˧˘˦˧ ˦ˢ˟˨˧˜ˢˡ˦ʡ rural great. Reliable makes rural connectivity businesses In rural areas connectivity has traditionally been a challenge. However, Farmside has made it their mission to bridge this digital divide. “Living rurally shouldn't mean compromising on connectivity. Since 2003, our focus has always been on ensuring rural New Zealanders have access to the same quality services as their urban counterparts,” explains Rosaria Weir, Business Manager - Rural. This community connection is central to Farmside's philosophy. With the backing of the One NZ network, it provides robust services designed specifically for rural New Zealand. It has been voted Best Rural Service Provider Multiple times at the Broadband Compare Awards. Plus, its partnerships with rural co-operatives like Farmlands, Farm Source, PGG Wrightson and Ruralco further strengthen its position as a rural connectivity expert. For Farmside broadband and mobile customers Isabella and Jock Westgarth, reliable connectivity is essential for both business and family life. “They have fibre broadband available at their rural address and love being able to get the service through Farmside even though it's a town broadband connection. Farmside focuses on rural internet but also has the ability to connect its customers to both urban and rural broadband services supported through the Timaru call centre,” explains Rosaria. As Jock's work frequently takes him to remote areas with limited coverage, reliable communication is crucial. In response to such challenges, Farmside is preparing to launch the One NZ SpaceX service for out-of-coverage texting this June, which Rosaria says will benefit customers such as Jock. “This innovative service will be transformative for rural workers who venture into areas without traditional coverage. Regardless of location, they'll always be able to send texts even without cellular service,” says Rosaria. At home, Isabella appreciates the fast broadband connection that allows her to efficiently manage business accounts while keeping their three-year-old son Wylie entertained while she works with favourite shows like ‘Bluey’ or ‘The Secret Life of Pets’. Being a locally based business with a Timaru call centre is another advantage that resonates with customers. “Our local presence means customers speak with people who understand rural life and its challenges. There's no overseas call centre, just fellow Kiwis who know the rural landscape,” says Rosaria. As digital needs evolve, so do Farmside's offerings. “We're always looking ahead to ensure rural customers have access to the latest connectivity solutions,” says Rosaria. “Whether it's broadband, mobile services, or innovative technologies like satellite texting, we're committed to keeping rural New Zealand connected.” Committed to keeping rural New Zealand connected. 22 Fairview Road, RD 2 Timaru | 027 221 4552 info@realmilktimaru.co.nz | realmilktimaru.co.nz Non Homogenized Non Pasturised Environmentally Friendly Free Range
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