My name is Matt Cassineri, and I'm from Argentina.
I'm a qualified vet and have been in New Zealand for more than 20 years. I’ve come to NZ to work in the dairy industry, but I continued with education too. I'm about to finish an MBA in Otago University. When I’m not out in the field looking at cows, I’m playing squash or out trout fishing.
What are my specialties?
As a FarmWise consultant, I specialise mainly in dairy nutrition using BCS as a main KPI and am driven by helping my farmer clients get the most from the herd. I find it extremely rewarding when we achieve the targets we set together. Being a consultant is all about building trust and once you have that, it's a very rewarding relationship for both parties. I listen to what clients have to say and what they need, and bring a tailored solution to their specific situation, not a recipe.
That’s the difference with FarmWise?
There are many consultants out there who try to farm to a recipe, doing the same things on every farm. That just doesn't work. We know every farm is special and individual. As a FarmWise Consultant I am independent but can also tap into LIC’s information. The advice I give is without any hidden agenda. It is 100% science-based - not just my own opinions or experience, but with the science behind it. We have a huge amount of technical knowledge and many years of experience within the FarmWise team. That's one of the most attractive things about FarmWise the service. We all have a range of different skill sets that we share with each other.
That collaboration is extremely important. For example, what happens on a farm in the North is not the same as what could happen in the South. It’s really important to understand the different techniques and strategies so we can apply that learning to our own regions. I love the fact that every day is different. I continually keep myself up to date with new developments. Many fundamental things like pasture management don’t change much over time, but the technology we farm with is always changings so, we are learning all the time and improving!
Education
Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc).
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDipBA). University of Otago
Full Member of the New Zealand Association of Ruminant Nutritionists (NZARN).
Member of New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM).
Work Experience
Before joining FarmWise, I worked for more than 20 years in the dairy industry in NZ and overseas in different roles from Sharemilker to Farm Consultant, where I gained a comprehensive and detailed understanding of the dairy business and how to make things happen on-farm.
