Ash and Adelle Tracey

Ash and Adelle Tracey are proud to be stepping into a new chapter of their farming journey as 50/50 sharemilkers at Pāmu’s Quarry Dairy Farm. 

With over 15 years of experience between them, this hardworking couple brings energy, practical know-how, and a deep passion for dairying to everything they do.

Their move to Quarry marks a significant milestone—an opportunity to grow their business in partnership with an organisation that shares their values of professionalism, innovation, and people-first leadership.

Before joining Pāmu, Ash and Adelle were Lower Order Sharemilkers at Pokuru Farms Ltd, managing a 288-hectare operation milking 720 cows. Overseeing a team of four full-time and one part-time staff, they built a strong, supportive team culture with robust health and safety practices. Under their leadership, the farm earned regular recognition through Fonterra Co-operative Difference Te Puku and consistently achieved an average empty rate of just 12%. Their 2023/24 season also delivered an average of 420 kgMS per cow, highlighting the strength of their systems and stock management.

Ash is known for his calm, methodical approach and brings hands-on expertise in animal health, feed budgeting, and machinery operation. He holds an AgITO Certificate in Agriculture and thrives on building teams that are well-trained, well-supported, and proud of the work they do.

Adelle complements the business with her analytical skillset and academic grounding—a Bachelor of Science from Massey University. She’s worked with LIC for eight years, starting in the lab and now contributing part-time as a seasonal analyst with the Genemark division. Her ability to blend data insights with practical decision-making adds another layer of strength to the couple’s farming operation.

Their farming experience also includes Lower Order Sharemilking 420 cows at Whakanui Farms 2018 Ltd and Contract Milking 500 cows at Shonarry Farms Ltd. In every role, Ash and Adelle have focused on doing the basics well, building trusted relationships, and continuously improving farm performance.

At the centre of their lives is their young whānau—twin four-year-old boys and a baby born earlier this year. They’re excited to raise their family in a rural community that reflects their values and gives their kids the same connection to land and purpose that they’ve built their careers around.

Long-term, Ash and Adelle are working towards farm ownership. They see their partnership with Pāmu as a meaningful step forward—one that offers both professional opportunity and alignment with a values-driven, future-focused farming business.

For Ash and Adelle, joining the Quarry team is more than just a role—it’s a chance to contribute to something bigger and help shape the future of sustainable, people-focused agriculture in Aotearoa.

For Ash and Adelle, the move to 50/50 sharemilking with Pāmu represents more than a new job—it’s a critical step on their journey toward farm ownership. They see sharemilking as a powerful platform to grow equity, build their business, and deepen their on-farm capabilities while still having the backing of a trusted partner. Their role at Quarry allows them to operate with independence, apply their knowledge at scale, and contribute to a high-performing farm that aligns with their long-term goals.

Pāmu’s hybrid operating model—including 50/50 sharemilking, variable order sharemilking, and contract milking—creates space for farmers like Ash and Adelle to take ownership of their future while benefiting from the systems, support, and values of a larger farming enterprise. It’s a model that reflects Pāmu’s wider commitment to growing people, delivering commercial outcomes, and enabling a sustainable future for New Zealand agriculture—something Ash and Adelle are proud to be part of.

As they continue to build their farming business and raise their young family, Ash and Adelle remain focused on doing the mahi that will take them one step closer to owning a farm of their own.

If you're exploring your own path toward farm ownership, visit our Sharemilking and Contract Milking page to learn more.