Andrew Solomann
Conara,Australia
Summary
I am a successful, results-driven, dedicated agribusiness professional with over 33 years of experience managing large-scale agricultural operations. I am highly skilled in financial analysis, strategic planning, and team leadership, with a proven track record of achieving business targets and driving organisational success. I am experienced at building high-performing teams, developing comprehensive business plans, and implementing innovative farming systems. I possess excellent communication skills, industry acumen, and a strong focus on safety and efficiency. I have demonstrated the ability to manage complex projects, foster internal collaboration and external relationships, and lead through crises. I have been recognised for outstanding achievements in farm management, including significant improvements in livestock rates, crop yields, and financial performance. I am committed to maintaining high standards of personal presentation while upholding board governance practices.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Aggregation Manager
Rimanui Farms (Australia) Ltd
Vaucluse, Australia
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Company Overview: Vaucluse is a 4,400 ha mixed cropping and livestock property with 2,800 ha of irrigated farmland, 800 ha of dryland pastures, and the remaining area in bush
- Manage a large-scale irrigated property
- Lead a team of 13 farm employees
- Develop a great team culture to be the employer of choice
- Set the daily and yearly direction of the farm business
- Attention to detail on every project or task undertaken
- Build and manage the financial budget and report on variances
- Perform in the top 10% of Agribusiness in the state
- Monitor and report monthly and weekly
- Vaucluse is a 4,400 ha mixed cropping and livestock property with 2,800 ha of irrigated farmland, 800 ha of dryland pastures, and the remaining area in bush
Agri-business Manager
Big Rural Ltd
Te Tumu Station
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: 4,000 ha over three blocks with 2,000 ha effective, wintering 17,000 stock units, 9,500 breeding ewes, and 1,000 breeding cows
- Run a successful large-scale sheep and beef breeding business
- Drive team culture and safety in the workplace
- Develop a three-year business plan
- Set clear expectations for all permanent staff and contractors
- Scrutinize monthly budgets and report on any variances
- Implement the farm environment plan
- Write farm reports and record data using FarmIQ and Farmax
- Maintain an organized and tidy farm, ready for visitors
- Communicate effectively with the farm's Directors and support office staff
- 4,000 ha over three blocks with 2,000 ha effective, wintering 17,000 stock units, 9,500 breeding ewes, and 1,000 breeding cows
- Amalgamated two properties into one
- Set up new farming systems with a 3-year business plan, accompanied by Farmax files and financial budgets
- Became farm assured and worked towards FMP – Plus accreditation
Farm Manager
Rimanui Farms Ltd
Lochinver Station
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Company Overview: Lochinver Station, 13,843 ha, 9,500 ha effective, wintering 85,000 stock units, 32,000 breeding ewes, 10,000 hoggets, 2,500 breeding cows
- Manage a large-scale sheep, beef, and dairy support business
- Manage a successful on-farm livestock pre-export quarantine facility
- Drive team culture and safety in the workplace for all 23 staff
- Support the farm’s three-unit managers daily
- Develop a three-year business plan
- Plan and organize a 1,750 ha cropping program
- Set clear expectations for all permanent staff and contractors
- Scrutinize monthly budgets and report on any variances
- Write farm reports and record data using FarmIQ and Farmax
- Approve all farm expenditures
- Maintain an organized and tidy farm, ready for visitors
- Communicate effectively with the farm's General Manager and head office staff
- Focus on customer satisfaction
- Manage risks and crises
- Work within company policies
- Lochinver Station, 13,843 ha, 9,500 ha effective, wintering 85,000 stock units, 32,000 breeding ewes, 10,000 hoggets, 2,500 breeding cows
- Operated a high-performing farm business
- Executed capital projects in excess of $1.0 million
- Designed and developed 7,000 hectares with new subdivision fencing, water systems, and livestock handling facilities
- Reduced the winter cropping platform from 1,400 ha to 850 ha while maintaining total yield
- Increased livestock rate by 16,000 stock units over 4 years
- Collaborated with apiarists for site preparation and placement of 950 beehives
- Created a 750 ha Lucerne block for lamb finishing and silage harvesting
- Docked 50,000 lambs from 31,000 breeding ewes
- Managed staff and their families effectively through a major disaster and a pandemic
- Achieved a 3-year average of $650/ha EBIT with a return on capital of over 5% on average
- Trained and mentored young farm managers
Farm Manager
Landcorp Farming Ltd
Parikanapa Station
01.2008 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: Parikanapa Station, 3,747 ha, 3,065 ha effective, wintering 30,000 stock units, 13,500 breeding ewes, 4,200 hoggets, 1,100 breeding cows
- Run a successful large-scale sheep and beef farm
- Implement and carry out a three-year business plan
- Plan and organize the work of five permanent staff plus contractors
- Monitor monthly budgets for both feed and financial aspects
- Adhere to farm pride and work-safe guidelines
- Communicate effectively with the Regional Business Manager and head office staff
- Work within company policies at all times
- Parikanapa Station, 3,747 ha, 3,065 ha effective, wintering 30,000 stock units, 13,500 breeding ewes, 4,200 hoggets, 1,100 breeding cows
- Amalgamated four farms into one large-scale operation
- Executed capital projects in excess of $500k
- Built up farm pride status to 95% and maintained quality
- Participated in the CEO’s Innovation and Technology Group
- Completed Rabobank Farm Managers Course
- Served as a board member of the Waipaoa Station Cadet Training Trust for 3 years
- Achieved a 3-year average of $400/ha EBIT with a return on capital of over 4% on average
- Helped 4 high school boys gain farm experience and achieve their goal of getting into either Waipaoa or Smedley
- Named the 2016 Federated Farmers, Gisborne – Wairoa Hill Country Farmer of the Year
Education
Executive Development Program -
Rabobank
01-2024
Media training -
Rimanui Farms
01-2019
Excel computer course -
ITO
01-2018
Courageous Conversations -
Landcorp Farming
01-2014
Financial Course -
Institute of Management
01-2013
Governance Essentials Course -
Institute of Directors
01-2013
Farm Manager’s Course -
Rabobank
01-2011
National Certificate Agriculture -
ITO
01-2005
Trade Certificate - Farming
Smedley Cadet
01-1991
Skills
- Analysis of financial and farming records
- Written reports
- Collection of agronomy and livestock breeding data
- High communication skills
- Hire and supervise staff
- Group leader
- Safety focus
- Building high-performing teams
- Project management
- Building external and internal relationships
- Industry acumen
- Achieving business targets
- Enthusiastic
- High personal presentation standards
- Board Governance
Training and qualifications
- 2024, Rabobank - Executive Development program.
- 2019, Media training
- 2018, Excel computer course
- 2015, Landcorp Leadership Programme
- 2021, Current First Aid Certificate
- 2013, Institute of Directors, Governance Essentials Course
- 2014, Courageous Conversations
- 2013, Institute of Management, Financial Course
- 2011, Rabobank Farm Manager’s Course
- 2010, Grow safe Approved Handler
- 2009, National Certificate Agriculture Level 4 & 5
- 2001, Associate Judge for the NZ Angus Association Council
- 1992, Trade Certificate in Farming
- 1991, Smedley Cadet
- 1989, Gisborne Boys High School
Timeline
Aggregation Manager
Rimanui Farms (Australia) Ltd
01.2023 - 01.2025
Agri-business Manager
Big Rural Ltd
01.2021 - 01.2023
Farm Manager
Rimanui Farms Ltd
01.2016 - 01.2021
Farm Manager
Landcorp Farming Ltd
01.2008 - 01.2016
Executive Development Program -
Rabobank
Media training -
Rimanui Farms
Excel computer course -
ITO
Courageous Conversations -
Landcorp Farming
Financial Course -
Institute of Management
Governance Essentials Course -
Institute of Directors
Farm Manager’s Course -
Rabobank
National Certificate Agriculture -
ITO
Trade Certificate - Farming
Smedley Cadet