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.
After completing his Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University, James worked as an Agronomist and Research Technician for nine years. Using his great depth of knowledge, he then moved into a farm advisory role for four years. Now James uses his expertise to coach the next generation of Agronomists and oversees sales operations across the Central Otago region.
Thomas began his career as a Pastoral Agronomist upon completing his Bachelor of Commerce at Lincoln University, majoring in Agriculture. While studying, his exposure to a number of different farming systems meant he could study what made them successful. Bringing that knowledge into our industry, his attention is now focused on Central Otago where he’s based as a Senior Agronomist. He prides himself in his accurate, professional approach to agronomy and continues to build his unique skillset.
Gareth brings a wealth of experience to the Central & West Otago region with over 30 years in farming associated businesses, including working for fourteen years as a Seed Territory Rep and five years operating an Agricultural consulting service throughout Otago. Gareth has a passion for the agricultural industry and enjoys working alongside farmers to achieve their goals.
Linden has a passion for pastoral agronomy, backed by strong experience in the seed and agri-chemical industry and an agricultural science degree with first class honours from Lincoln University. Away from the job, he is a keen outdoorsman and loves Central Otago, "the best region in the country".
Cameron is a graduate of a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture from Lincoln University, and has been a part of our team since joining us in an Agronomy Support role in August 2020. Cam is passionate about helping farmers get the best utilisation from their crops and seeing the positive effects for their business that flow on from that. Away from work, Cam enjoys everything the great outdoors has to offer – hunting, fishing, tramping and helping out on the family farm near Milton.
Anthony has been a dedicated fertiliser consultant in Central Otago for 13 years. Before this, he was a third-generation wool buyer for his family business, L.R. McLean & Co. Married to Pip, a Public Health Refugee Nurse, they have a blended family with six children and four grandchildren. Anthony enjoys outdoor bowling, curling, hunting, fishing, and fine dining.
Fergus grew up on his family dairy farm and graduated with a Bachelor of Agriculture Science from Lincoln University. He spent 15 months farming in the Maniototo before joining Catalyst Performance Agronomy. Outside of work, Fergus enjoys rugby, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, and returning to the farm.
With over 25 years’ experience, Geoff has a strong and sound understanding of what’s involved in growing and improving farming systems. He prides himself in providing farmers and growers with expert technical and chemical advice, as well as a great depth of seed knowledge to help clients get the best result from their crops.
Sam is a Waitaki Boys old boy who has come home to North Otago after completing a Bachelor of Science at the University of Otago. Sam has amassed a wealth of knowledge in the field and is eager to show local farmers how Catalyst can get them growing. Sam excels at rugby, playing for the local Valley club and captaining North Otago in the national Heartland competition.
Craig joined the team in April 2021 after several years in the fertiliser industry. He has also travelled the world extensively as a shearer. He now resides with his wife Kara on their lifestyle block near Oamaru and enjoys hunting, golf and processing home kill in the weekends. Craig services the East Otago region and is stoked to be working with the growing Catalyst team in North Otago.
Anna developed a passion for the outdoors and farming early on, growing up in Staveley. After high school, she shepherded locally before moving south. Seven years ago, she and her husband Hamish settled in North Otago. Previously a Technical Field Officer in South Canterbury and North Otago, Anna spent the last five and a half years raising a family and managing their sheep and beef block in Windsor. Now, she’s excited to return to working with farmers and collaborating with agronomists. Outside of work, Anna enjoys exploring the outdoors, horse riding, biking, camping, and helping run the local Five Forks Playgroup. She also finds time for running and training for adventure races.
Aidan grew up in Mosgiel, Otago and developed a passion for agriculture through diverse farming experiences across the South Island, including dairy, large-scale cropping, and high-country sheep and beef farming. With a DipAg and DipFM from Lincoln University. Outside of work, Aidan enjoys golf, skiing, and mountain biking around the South Island.
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.
Dave McCabe and his folks run 130ha just south of Oamaru; mainly a ‘cut and carry’ and grazing block. They’ve always targeted yield tonnage in the high 20s for fodder beet. Since partnering with Catalyst, that target has always been exceeded. In fact, in the 2020-21 season, it was up in the high 30s! It landed Dave a couple of 1 st places and the Supreme award for the Waianakarua and Waiareka Valley Lions Clubs’ Winter Crop Competition 2021. Dave says, “We’ve exceeded yield targets every year.”
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.