Learn why we call our approach Performance Agronomy™ with a free one-on-one session with your local agronomist. We’ve forged a reputation for having the most technically astute agronomy field staff across the pastoral retail sector, achieving extraordinary yield results for winter-feed crops, including frequently winning yield competitions across regions.
Your free no obligation farm review includes:
We understand the nuances of South Island soil and conditions and how plants grow. That’s why 95% of our seed mixes are tailored and prescribed exactly when and where they’re necessary. We also tailor chemical and fertiliser solutions to each paddock and crop; this is not only more cost effective, in our experience it gets better results.
We’ve developed our own growing programmes including the cultivation of specialised formulations for kale and fodder beet. And we were the first to consider different ways of planting – a university- backed study that saw us build our own drill designed to sow seeds at a spacing rate we know works best in South Island soil.
To ensure our agronomy-led solutions reach their full potential, we’re on-farm regularly walking each paddock corner to corner to see how crops are tracking throughout every stage of growth and into the next season and the season after that.
Peter is based at our branch in Gore and oversees Catalyst’s business operations in Southland. He has 20+ years of experience in farm input sales and is passionate about finding solutions for farmers to increase their productivity. Outside of work Peter has a strong family focus, enjoying boating and a close involvement with the Waikaka Rugby Club in Southland.
Nathan joins the Catalyst team after 25 years in the fertiliser and livestock industries. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge about agronomic practices and nutrient management through course work at Massey and Lincoln Universities, and his long history of working with farmers to achieve the best outcomes for them is an asset. Outside of work, he is kept busy by his three children and 30 hectares but loves to find the time (and weather!) to take the boat out and enjoy a few water sports, or to coach and follow their junior rugby or cricket teams. As a Senior Agronomist, Nathan services customers all across Southland.
Eric started with Catalyst in April 2021 as a Sales Agronomist in the Northern Southland region, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector. Like many of our Agronomists, Eric is from a farming family and now runs his own 65 ha sheep and beef trading operation. This gives him valuable insight into the industry and helps him offer great advice to his customers.
Amy joined the Southland team in September 2021, and she brings broad agricultural experience with her. Amy has spent several years as a Technical Field Representative, assisted on a variety of farms and worked in the banking sector. She is passionate about championing a brand that offers the “complete package” for farmers when it comes to their pastoral farming needs. Amy and her husband run their own sheep & beef property and love spending time playing rugby or being together in the outdoors.
Farming and agriculture have played a big part in George's life from a young age; his father was an Agronomist before him, and George's first job was on a cropping farm in South Canterbury where he spent most weekends and holidays learning the ropes. Now that he has completed his BAgSci degree at Lincoln University, he is really looking forward to embarking on a career in an industry he has grown so passionate about. As he learns more about agronomy and crop management, he wants to work closely with farmers (the most hardworking and dedicated people he has met) to help them achieve their goals.
With three years of experience in the rural reseller sector, Leiana is eager to expand her existing agronomy skills. Leiana's diverse background includes previous work in the Travel Industry and studies in Otago. Outside of work, Leiana is a passionate rugby player, representing Southland Country. She also enjoys netball and the great outdoors. Leiana is stationed in Gore, focusing on serving the Gore and South Otago areas.
Every day, we work closely with farmers and farm managers to grow crops that deliver great commercial results. We’re side by side with them in the field delivering tailored agronomy advice on the correct seed variety, planting methods, fertilisers and chemical controls.
Peter Allan runs 600 cows on a 300ha dairy farm that is fully self-contained with cows wintering on farm. Here's what Peter says about working with us: "Catalyst works with us on our winter crops which are a mix of fodder beet, kale and swedes. We've only recently introduced herbicide-tolerant varieties back into the mix and since then have far exceeded our yield targets."
We're set up to service farms face to face with our team of dedicated agronomists, but our mindset keeps us nimble and dynamic. If there's a better way of doing something, we'll embrace it. If a problem needs to be solved, we won't rest until it is.
We recognise that our customers, much as they love the land, are running big businesses with big financial commitments. We work to deliver real commercial results for them and add value to their bottom lines.