Growing up with harness racing on a mixed farm near Bryan Milne’s hometown of Edendale, farming was never far away.
Even after spending years focused on sport, including playing rugby overseas, Milne says a return to the rural sector was probably always on the cards.
That journey has now led him to a new role as New Zealand Sales Manager for Corteva Agriscience.
This follows Glen Surgenor being promoted from New Zealand General Manager to Marketing Director for Australia and New Zealand.
(insert comment Glen)
Milne, who is based in Canterbury, joins the crop protection company after a career that has spanned rural supplies, leadership roles and agricultural sales.
“I love ag. I love being part of it and the people who make it such a great industry, whether we're talking crop protection, fertiliser or farm supplies,” he says.
“New Zealand farmers and growers are in a really good place right now, particularly across dairy, red meat and parts of horticulture.
“Being part of a business that helps drive innovation and supports food production is a great reason to get out of bed every day.”
While crop protection is a relatively new area for him, the opportunity to take on a national leadership role and broaden his influence across the sector was a major drawcard.
“I’m no crop protection expert, but the leadership opportunity and the chance to have a bit more of a national influence was a big part of the reason for moving to Corteva,” he says.
Milne's connection with the rural sector began in Southland, where he was raised in a rural community with strong ties to farming.
After returning to New Zealand in his late twenties from playing rugby overseas, he moved into sales, first with The Radio Network, then gravitating towards rural with Hokonui Radio before transitioning into the rural supply sector.
A role with Farmlands saw him progress from sales representative into leadership positions, setting the direction for much of his career since.
“Once I moved into leadership, that became the path I wanted to continue on,” he says.
Most recently he spent close to four years as Regional Sales Manager for the Central South Island with Ballance Agri-Nutrients.
Although Corteva's New Zealand office is based in New Plymouth, Milne will remain in Canterbury, a region he says is home to many of the company's key partners.
“It made a lot of sense to stay here,” he says.
He is also looking forward to working alongside familiar faces within the business, including colleagues he has previously connected with through the Kellogg Rural Leadership programme.
“I already had a good feel for how Corteva operates as a business,” he says.
“We're a relatively small team in New Zealand, which means people work very closely together. That's something I'm really looking forward to being part of.”