Andrea Dixon has been appointed general manager of the Southern Dairy Hub (SDH) and will start her new role on 17 July. 

Dixon will manage the SDH's 349ha commercial scale research dairy farm, which runs 750 cows, at Branxholme, north of Wallacetown.

The Southern Demonstration and Research Farm Limited (SDRF) Board Chair Simon Flood said Dixon would be well known to Southlanders, as the Lower South Island territory manager at the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC).

"We’re excited to have her join our team at such a pivotal point in its history."

"She brings strategic thinking, a great knowledge of dairy farming and a focus on continuous improvement," Flood said.

“The SDH and its partners are delivering some truly cutting-edge science and research for our southern farmers, all while maintaining a commercially viable dairy farm."

"This makes SDH a complex operation and is why we’re thrilled to have Andrea onboard."

Dixon originally trained as an accountant before going dairy farming. Eleven years ago she joined LIC.

Dixon said LIC were a fantastic employer and she had grown hugely in her time with them.

"I couldn’t have made this next step in my career without their support," she said.

“The role at SDH excites me."

"Not only is it an industry-good role, it also allows me to work with a great team, passionate key stakeholders, and help find solutions for farmers for the future through the Hub’s research arm."

"We have challenges in the dairy sector but also so many opportunities."

"I believe the Hub is perfectly positioned to be ahead of the game so farmers can move more quickly with great information and data,” Dixon said. 

Dixon said that come July she would need to get her feet under the table, understand how things were looking, engage with key stakeholders and put in place a clear strategy to meet the vision of the Hub.

"It’s going to be crucial to build the visibility of the Hub to our farmers so they understand the value they can get from the research,” she said.

Acting general manager Richard Kyte will oversee the SDH operation until Dixon's (July) start date.