New TSR brings three decades of ag experience

Over three decades Craig Robinson has built a diverse career in agribusiness from farm systems planning and compliance to agribusiness banking, animal health and now animal nutrition.

As SealesWinslow’s Technical Sales Representative in Taranaki, Craig brings a wealth of experience from his extensive involvement in the primary industry, coupled with the unique perspective of owning and managing his own farm.

Craig’s agricultural roots trace back to his family’s farm in the Horowhenua, where he was born and bred before pursuing a Bachelor of Agriculture at Massey University. He financed his academic endeavours by shearing sheep, milking cows, and working on the family dry stock farm.

Post-graduation, Craig embarked on his professional journey with the Taranaki Regional Council, focusing on land and riparian management. Here, he honed his skills in various domains, from aiding farmers in hill country stabilisation and forestry plans to contributing to the intricacies of land resource inventory mapping.

“It was fantastic, and it helped lay the foundation for my career,” says Craig. Following a personal call to duty, he took over the family farm at a young age, balancing his fervour for farming with a quest for a career beyond the pastoral landscape.

Craig’s trajectory led him into the realm of agribusiness banking, starting out in customer-facing roles and gradually advancing into management. Over a span of 19 years, he worked with teams at the National Bank, TSB and the BNZ. A highlight of his career includes spearheading the establishment of the agribusiness arm of TSB Bank.

Craig then made a transition to animal health company Zoetis. In parallel, he embraced his enthusiasm for motorbikes and motocross, applying his business acumen to support bike retailers as a business consultant.

Despite his expansive career, Craig maintains a firm tie to his farming origins, retaining ownership of a family farm in Horowhenua, which is now leased and used for winter grazing and grass supplements.

In his role with SealesWinslow, Craig’s wealth of agribusiness experience and enduring ties within the Taranaki farming community make him a valuable asset. “I’m still a farmer at heart, and I’ve been in the rural industry for more than 30 years,” he says.

Throughout his career, he has held roles in senior management and customer-facing positions, which demonstrates the value Craig places on building relationships – a principle he continues to champion at SealesWinslow.

“I like the welcoming, team atmosphere at SealesWinslow and the emphasis on building relationships with our customers for growth and value in the industry,” says Craig.

“SealesWinslow is in the business of helping farmers optimise the production potential of their animals to maximise growth, while being economically efficient throughout their life cycle.

“I’m loving using the diverse range of skills and experience I have gained to help make this happen for Taranaki farmers.”