Kaiwaka farmer joins LIC council

Dairy farmer Neville Porteous, of Kaiwaka, is the new voice for dairy farmer shareholders of Livestock Improvement (LIC).

The busy father of four, 50:50 sharemilker and 50 percent equity owner of two Northland dairy farms is also a former Northland Sharemilker of the Year.

He says he is passionate about farming and sought membership of the LIC Shareholder Council to help guide and influence the direction of one of the largest co-operatives in New Zealand.

“I strongly believe that LIC, as a farmer owned business, has a major role in ensuring new systems, tools, technological advances, developments and improvements are useable, practical and farmer-friendly and will benefit New Zealand’s dairy farmers,” he says.

“The Shareholder Council is a great concept because it’s a group of 21 dairy farmers representing the customer experiences and concerns of other farmers in their region.
“I want dairy farmers to know they can contact me on any issue relating to LIC – their customer experience, use of products and services, suggestions for improvement – whatever.”

Neville and wife Ainsley achieved their first equity partnership in 2007, a 50 percent shareholding in a Tomarata 550 cow dairy farm and in 2008 a second 50 percent equity partnership shareholding in a 400 cow dairy operation in Te Arai.

The couple are currently living in Kaiwaka where they 50:50 sharemilk for Bill and Christine Bygrave. They have lower-order sharemilkers on their two farms.
“It took 16 years of strategic planning and short term goal setting to achieve farm ownership.”

Neville says he would encourage Northland shareholders to contact him on any matters relating to LIC on 431 2455, mobile 027 499 0838 or by email nevilleainsley@farmside.co.nz

Image: Neville Porteous