Making the most of crop protection career opportunities
It’s all go on the people side at Corteva Agriscience as the company prepares to start 2026 with two new territory appointments and another internal promotion.
General manager Glen Surgenor says he’s delighted to have the field team back at full strength after several changes including one retirement and internal role changes.
The two new territory sales managers are Ash Pace, who is looking after Canterbury and the West Coast; and Ryan Jackson, who is now responsible for the western North Island.
Former lower South Island territory sales manager Morgan Mansell, meantime, has stepped up to the role of customer technology specialist, replacing Nicole Morris.
Ash Pace has succeeded veteran South Island Corteva staffer John Smith, who retired last year; and Ryan Jackson replaces Gary Geurts.
Pace comes to Corteva after more than 20 years ‘in the paddock’, advising arable growers on agronomy and seed production in a range of crops here and in the United Kingdom.
Raised on the West Coast, he attended Telford and Lincoln University, and milked cows for two years before spending 12 years in the UK, working for a seed multiplication firm specialising in cereals, lupins and oil seed rape.
After returning to NZ he then spent six years based in Canterbury with the state owned enterprise Bioenergy NZ, managing up to 6000 ha of oil seed rape for biofuel production.
Pace further honed his agronomy and field skills with Seed Production in Ashburton (now part of Carrfields), and PGG Wrightson Seeds, as part of their seed production team.
Based in Methven, he’s keen to now put all that experience to good use supporting Corteva customers.
Why make the move?
“I’d worked with Corteva people and products for many years. I knew the company was innovative and progressive; the products are good, the pipeline of future products is exciting, and the support they provide the customer and the end user is excellent.”
After 13 years as a Farm Source TSR, Ryan Jackson says he was similarly motivated when the chance came to join Corteva.
“Having recommended and sold a lot of their products over the years, I think they have an excellent portfolio, backed by really good marketing, and lots of R&D. That was a huge factor for me, the development pipeline.”
Based in Te Aroha, his new territory covers Taranaki, King Country and the Waikato, and having been on the other side of the fence for over a decade, he’s focussed on being the vendor rep that he would have liked as a reseller.
“I know the retail rep world very well. I’ve experienced first hand the value of having great relationships with vendor reps, particularly in terms of clear, fast communication and that’s what I want to provide.”
Raised in rural Waikato, Jackson grew up ‘never far from a cowshed’ although agriculture was not his first career choice.
Instead he went to film school and worked freelance in the film industry for five years.
He’s still involved in film as a hobby, but says career prospects and job stability in the primary sector drew him back to his rural roots and he has relished working in agriculture ever since.
Six years after joining Corteva as a graduate, Morgan Mansell is looking forward to further growing her industry experience as customer technical specialist for arable, pastures and forages.
“I wanted to become more involved in the R&D side of the business, and this role is a great chance to do that, as well as learn more about the regulatory process, and get closer to the development of new products.”
She remains based in Queenstown for what are now national responsibilities, and has nothing but praise for Corteva’s support for young team members:
“The career progression and professional development opportunities are incredible.”
Ash Pace can be reached at 027 445 1801; Ryan Jackson at 027 445 1782, and Morgan Mansell at 027 284 3533.