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Peter Strawbridge

Farm Manager

From daily care to national recognition

For Peter Strawbridge, excellence isn't just a goal; it's a daily commitment. After 24 years with Pāmu, including two Farm Manager positions, Peter has built a career defined by pushing boundaries in livestock performance and taking genuine pride in every animal under his care. 

Based in Waikato, Peter works alongside his team to manage the stud operations of Pāmu, where precision, dedication, and an unwavering focus on animal performance come together to produce some of the country's finest breeding stock. 

"To be able to push the boundaries in livestock performance and know we have done everything possible to achieve that — being able to showcase what we do and be proud of that effort. Being able to treat it as our own."

A career built on commitment

Peter's journey with Pāmu began 24 years ago when he applied for his first Farm Manager role. Two decades later, he's still here — now in his second Farm Manager position with the company — a testament to both his dedication and the opportunities Pāmu provides for long-term career growth. 

His typical day revolves around working closely with staff to maximise performance across all stud animals. From bringing mobs to the yards to record vital data — liveweights, body condition, and structure — to assessing feed levels in paddocks, Peter ensures every animal is performing to its absolute potential. He also works regularly with customers and contractors, sharing knowledge and building lasting relationships. 

Technology meets tradition

What excites Peter most is the intersection of hands-on livestock management and cutting-edge technology. The ability to use data and modern tools to continuously improve outcomes is something he finds genuinely rewarding. 

"The technology we use is really exciting and seeing how we can use that information to better ourselves."

Three things stand out most in his work: 

  • Seeing their hard work validated when their stud animals are compared against the best in the industry 
  • Working with innovative technology to drive continuous improvement 
  • Partnering with customers to help them achieve their own goals on their properties 

Farming excellence in action

For Peter, farming excellence means total team engagement and pride in every outcome. It's visible in the performance of every animal, the condition of every paddock, and the way the farm looks at all times. 

"All staff are involved in our journey and have pride in what we achieve. Making sure all livestock is fed to the maximum and the performance from every animal is to their maximum. The farm is a picture to drive around at all times."

Living Pāmu values

When asked about Pāmu values — Grounded, Genuine, Shoulder-to-Shoulder, and Bold — Peter doesn't hesitate. To him, these aren't just corporate principles; they're what his team breathes every day. 

"All of these values are what we breathe each day. That's why we have so much pride in what we do each day and achieve so much each day to be outstanding and proud of what we do and showcase what we have achieved." 

Recognition and pride

One of Peter's proudest moments came at the Beef and Lamb awards, where the studs he manages won prizes, a recognition of years of dedication and excellence. But the reward extends beyond trophies. For Peter, the real satisfaction comes from being able to showcase their work to clients and help them achieve the best possible results from the animals they purchase. 

"Being able to showcase what we do to all of our clients and advise our clients on how they can achieve the best results from the animals we sell them."

Looking ahead

After more than two decades of dedicated service, Peter is looking forward to the next chapter — taking things a bit easier and enjoying life, while continuing to contribute to an industry he has devoted his career to. 

His journey is a reminder that excellence in farming isn't just about results. It's about the daily commitment, the pride in the details, and the passion to treat every animal, every paddock, and every day as if it truly matters.

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