Q When did you start your sheep scanning business?
It was 1992 before I got under way properly in Mosgiel. The year before I left the position of farm manager at the AgResearch quarantine facility at Invermay, when the Texel sheep came in.
Q How old where you when you launched your business?
I was 40, I think.
Q When you started your business were you scanning sheep for pregnancy or eye muscle?
Both, which looking back was a bit ambitious.
Q Where you a pioneer of the scanning industry in New Zealand?
Yes I was. I was the first in New Zealand for commercial eye muscle scanning and I was the first in the South Island for pregnancy scanning. For 14 years from 1997, I went to Australia three times a year, about a month at a time, and had gear in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia — which extended the season nicely. I started to employ and train guys over there because it was too much travel and I have since sold that company.
Q Was the scanning of sheep common in Australia in 1997?
They had been scanning for years as part of a genetic evaluation system called Lambplan and we were working for a break-away group of farmers, nearly a third of the stud breeders in Australia, because Lambplan was very controlling.
Q So you were rebels in Australia?
We weren’t very liked and had to keep a very low profile.
Q Do you have fond memories of Australia?
I loved it except for the dust and the flies. You were working in outdoor yards all the time, so working conditions were appalling but they were really nice people and all the farmers were really good to work for. We just loved it. The 14 years over there was probably the highlight of my life, but it was nice to get back to New Zealand, away from the heat and working in nice, covered yards and woolsheds.
Q Any other career highlights?
I’ve been scanning for Pāmu for 27 years, which is quite special. They’ve been so good to work with.
Q When are you expecting to retire?
I’m nearly 74 and I’m meant to be retired but that’s not going that well. I’m still fit, but it is time. I’ve kept up with technology — you’ve got to — and that’s a battle as you get older. If you don’t keep up with technology, you get left behind but I don’t want to anymore. New gear keeps coming out and you ask yourself if you want to keep investing in it or should you stop and that’s about where I’m at. My son, Mathew, is taking over most of my work — me and my wife Pam will continue doing the admin. Mathew’s scanning up in Kerikeri at the moment.
Q When will your last day be?
When [Maniototo Texel stud breeder] Alistair MacLeod lets me — he’s very demanding.
Q What are your plans for your retirement?
At the moment I’m helping a mate paint houses, something totally different to what I’ve ever done. I’m one of these people who have got to keep moving. I don’t like the word retirement.
Q If you had your time again would you take the same career path?
I would. Working for farmers has been very rewarding. New Zealand farmers are very good at what they do and it has been fulfilling to work for them. I’ve loved every minute of it.
