Farmer finds path in Temuka

Lachlan Turley has taken the long road home, and he's loving it. He is managing Teralytic's Australasian operations and working with industry groups to promote the probes to a wider New Zealand audience. Photo: Toni Williams

Former Temuka lad Lachlan Turley took a leap of faith and ventured stateside for a job in financial markets.

He ended up working for a ''cutting edge agricultural technology company'' just a stone's throw from Wall Street.

And it's brought him back, briefly, to South Canterbury.

Mr Turley (26) grew up on an agricultural property in Temuka, which was part of a large family business.

He is the youngest child of South and Mid Canterbury arable and vegetable operators Murray and Margaret Turley.

''I grew up on the family farm, spending the summer following around my father during harvest, walking the potato paddocks or driving around looking at the crops.''

He also liked sitting in the combine and, when he got older, driving them.

''I've been lucky enough to be involved in business from a young age and always was interested in creating and growing businesses.

''I was drawn to finance as I saw it as a way to get involved with and become a partner in other people's businesses.''

Tertiary education at Lincoln University (bachelor agricultural science with honours), Massey University (bachelor of business studies, finance and economics) as well as postgraduate study at Auckland University placed him well towards his role as Teralytic's director of operations and Australasia.

But to get there he has also taken on a variety of roles, including a mix of paid and unpaid internships, which he highly recommends.

''It really helps you to apply the material you study and gain valuable on the ground insights.

It earned him international business exposure and led him to Teralytic.

But the job with Teralytic isn't his first foray into the United States, he studied abroad during his time at Lincoln University and ''loved it''.

''I went back early in 2018 on a bit of a leap of faith. I expected to get a job in finance but luckily ended up connecting with, and working for, a cutting edge AgTech start-up only a stone's throw from Wall Street in New York City.''

It's brought him home, if only for a short while.

''While I am in New Zealand I will be managing our Australasian operations and working closely with industry groups like Potatoes New Zealand to introduce our soil nutrient and moisture probes to a wider New Zealand audience.''

It's something he is excited to be involved with, especially as it will help reduce costs, but increase yields, for farmers.

And while he is home, he's trying to fit in as many tramps as possible ''as they are a bit hard to come by in New York.''

Central Rural Life