Leora Werner completed B+LNZ’s Generation Next programme in 2022. In celebration of the programme’s 10-year anniversary, we’re catching up with graduates to see where they are now.
Based in Central Otago, Leora has built broad experience working across sheep, beef and deer systems. She credits Generation Next with helping her better understand the business side of farming, particularly how the numbers behind the operation connect to day-to-day decisions.
She shares what she took from the programme and how it’s shaped her thinking since.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your role on farm
At the moment I’m working as a casual shepherd in the Ida Valley, helping out across a few different properties. I do a mix of sheep, beef and deer work, and really enjoy the variety – you see a lot of different systems and ways of doing things.
I previously worked full-time on a property in the area.
I was also fortunate to receive a Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture scholarship, which gave me the chance to buy a small number of cattle and have a go at running a small operation myself.
What made you sign up for Generation Next?
I’d seen others go through the programme and heard good things, but for me the big drawcard was the business side of farming.
I wanted to understand more about what goes on behind the scenes, things like balance sheets and the financial side of the farm, not just the day-to-day stock work.
It felt like a way to step up and start understanding what drives decisions at a higher level.
Has the programme shaped your career direction?
It definitely helped me set some goals at the time.
I haven’t ticked them all off yet, but that’s just how things go – you end up taking a few different paths along the way.
What it did do was give me a clearer idea of where I’d like to head and what I need to work towards.
What stood out most from your time on the programme?
The financial side was a big one, but I also remember an on-farm visit near Dunedin that really stuck with me.
It was interesting hearing how that farming business had got started and the different ways they were generating income – not just from livestock, but also things like accommodation.
It opened my eyes to the idea that there are different ways into farming, whether that’s ownership, leasing or building something up over time. Sometimes you just need to know where to look and who to talk to.
What skills or knowledge have you used back on farm?
What I learned didn’t all click straight away, it’s probably been more in the last couple of years that it’s really started to make sense.
The biggest thing has been understanding how the numbers fit together. For example, you might look at finishing a small group of cattle and realise that income could cover your fertiliser bill for the year, or wages.
Now when someone brings out a balance sheet or talks through the finances, I can understand the bigger picture. That’s probably been the biggest shift for me.
What are you focused on in the next couple of years?
Ideally, I’d like to step into a stock manager or block manager role.
I’ve really enjoyed casual shepherding and seeing how different farms operate, but I’m looking forward to being more involved in running a system – putting a plan in place and seeing how it performs.
Whether it works well or not, you learn from it, and that’s something I’m keen to build on.
I’ve also been doing a wool classing certificate and getting more involved across the deer side of things through my partner’s farm. I enjoy learning new parts of the industry and keeping things varied.
What would you say to someone thinking about applying?
You’ve got nothing to lose.
You’ll probably be surprised by what you learn, even if you think you already know a lot of it. And just as important is the people you meet.
Those networks really matter, sometimes it comes down to who you know as much as what you know.
So, I’d say just go for it.
What does Generation Next mean to you?
For me, it’s about encouraging people into the industry and helping them understand there’s more to it than just the day-to-day work.
It gives you a better feel for the whole picture – from what’s happening on farm through to the financial side and how the business runs.
That understanding is important if we want to keep building a strong future for the sector.
Find out more
Learn more about B+LNZ’s Generation Next Programme.