New Otago TM’s passion for farming, family and Highland Cattle!
Thursday, 14 September, 2023
James Brown may not sound like the most Scottish of names, but a herd of pedigree Highland Cattle are a nod to his family roots.
James has joined the Gallagher team as Territory Manager for the Otago region after working at Farmlands in Taieri for the past five years.
Originally from a sheep and beef farm in Southland, James says he has given almost every type of farming a go during his career, including milking cows for a week. However, his real passion has always been Highland Cattle.
“I started breeding them when I was about 12 and now, we’re a bit more serious about it. I guess I like their personalities and their unique look with the horns. They’re just a bit different.”
James imports and exports Highland Cattle embryos and semen both from his pedigree herd and brings in genetics to continue improving his animals. He is also President of the New Zealand Highland Cattle Society and shows his animals. He took out the Supreme Champion title at this year’s Christchurch Show.
“It is also a nod to my Scottish heritage. My family is originally from Scotland. My dad plays the bagpipes and my mum the drums, so I guess it’s something that has always been in me,” says James.
James worked on his family’s sheep and beef operation in Southland before he, partner Lana and their four daughters (aged 12, 10, 6 and 4) moved to Dunedin five years ago where he worked for Farmlands.
“We were just looking for something different. I had done farming and really wanted to move to the other side and work with farmers in a sales role,” says James.
The family still farms two 100-hectare lease blocks just outside of Dunedin where he runs sheep and his herd of Highland Cattle.
“I’ve worked right across the industry. I’ve managed sheep and beef, milked cows, worked in reseller stores, done sheep shearing and crutching, reared calves and worked as a contractor, which I still dabble in occasionally too,” says James.
He does it because he loves the primary industry and the people he gets to work with.
“Whatever the job or the season I have pretty solid experience across all areas of farming which I think will be valuable for my Gallagher farmer customers,” says James.
James has a good handle on Gallagher’s solutions from his time in Farmlands. He is looking forward to getting into stores across the vast Otago region and meeting farmers as he cements the Gallagher brand that has been around for 85 years.
“Gallagher is a New Zealand made product that started from small beginnings all those years ago. But it’s a brand that has always been there and one farmers know they can turn to and trust because it will still be around for another 85 years!” says James.
His first job will be getting out and meeting all the resellers and demonstrating the benefits of Gallagher’s solutions for farmers and the efficiencies they can drive, especially when times are tough.
“There is definitely a downturn in the region at the moment and across New Zealand. Farmers are watching their spending. But they still need the essentials together with sound advice and support. Our team can provide both,” says James.
“Perhaps now more than ever farmers need the right solutions to make sure they’re running their operation as efficiently as possible and getting the most from their animals.”
James has joined the Gallagher team as Territory Manager for the Otago region after working at Farmlands in Taieri for the past five years.
Originally from a sheep and beef farm in Southland, James says he has given almost every type of farming a go during his career, including milking cows for a week. However, his real passion has always been Highland Cattle.
“I started breeding them when I was about 12 and now, we’re a bit more serious about it. I guess I like their personalities and their unique look with the horns. They’re just a bit different.”
James imports and exports Highland Cattle embryos and semen both from his pedigree herd and brings in genetics to continue improving his animals. He is also President of the New Zealand Highland Cattle Society and shows his animals. He took out the Supreme Champion title at this year’s Christchurch Show.
“It is also a nod to my Scottish heritage. My family is originally from Scotland. My dad plays the bagpipes and my mum the drums, so I guess it’s something that has always been in me,” says James.
James worked on his family’s sheep and beef operation in Southland before he, partner Lana and their four daughters (aged 12, 10, 6 and 4) moved to Dunedin five years ago where he worked for Farmlands.
“We were just looking for something different. I had done farming and really wanted to move to the other side and work with farmers in a sales role,” says James.
The family still farms two 100-hectare lease blocks just outside of Dunedin where he runs sheep and his herd of Highland Cattle.
“I’ve worked right across the industry. I’ve managed sheep and beef, milked cows, worked in reseller stores, done sheep shearing and crutching, reared calves and worked as a contractor, which I still dabble in occasionally too,” says James.
He does it because he loves the primary industry and the people he gets to work with.
“Whatever the job or the season I have pretty solid experience across all areas of farming which I think will be valuable for my Gallagher farmer customers,” says James.
James has a good handle on Gallagher’s solutions from his time in Farmlands. He is looking forward to getting into stores across the vast Otago region and meeting farmers as he cements the Gallagher brand that has been around for 85 years.
“Gallagher is a New Zealand made product that started from small beginnings all those years ago. But it’s a brand that has always been there and one farmers know they can turn to and trust because it will still be around for another 85 years!” says James.
His first job will be getting out and meeting all the resellers and demonstrating the benefits of Gallagher’s solutions for farmers and the efficiencies they can drive, especially when times are tough.
“There is definitely a downturn in the region at the moment and across New Zealand. Farmers are watching their spending. But they still need the essentials together with sound advice and support. Our team can provide both,” says James.
“Perhaps now more than ever farmers need the right solutions to make sure they’re running their operation as efficiently as possible and getting the most from their animals.”