Press Release 

After nearly four years, Southern Dairy Hub general manager, Louise Cook, is stepping down to take up a new role in Canterbury.

“The Hub is a special farm and it’s been a privilege to manage a fantastic team who juggle the farm operations, while staying true to the detailed research conducted with DairyNZ, AgResearch and the Southern Dairy Development Trust (SDDT),” Cook said.

“I know the research from the farm will make our Southern farmers’ lives better, giving them great data, that they can trust, to help them make good decisions on their farms. It’s a powerful mandate and one I have taken very seriously.”.

Cook has led the farm through a range of challenges, including COVID-19 lockdowns, weather events, flooding and drought.

Southern Demonstration and Research Farm Limited Board Chair Simon Flood said: “We will miss Louise’s passion, knowledge, skills and leadership. Louise has worked incredibly hard to achieve a balance between the day-to-day commercial farm operations alongside the unique requirements a top-class research farm needs.

“We thank Louise for her contribution and wish her every success and happiness as she opens a new chapter in her life.”

“This is a totally unique role with a clear mandate to support southern farmers as they strive to improve not only their sustainability, but also productivity and profitability in a rapidly moving environment which presents challenges, some of which are unique to southern dairy,” Flood said.

Recruitment for a new GM is underway, and details can be found at https://www.primarypeople.co.nz/current-jobs

Ends

For more information contact Lee Cowan 021 930 836