Our Clients: Dean Geddes

Success, Happiness, and a Lot of Early Starts

Many of the clients we feature examine the keys to success, the long hours and the stress required to stand out in the commercial and agribusiness sectors. Dean Geddes is no stranger to hard work, running a farm with over 380 cows that excels not only in dairy but in pedigree stud showing, too. But as Dean prepares for potentially handing the business to the next generation, his focus has expanded. Now it’s about balance, enjoying life, and putting his all into the various important aspects of his life.

When he’s on the farm, it’s his sole focus. Dean and his wife, Jo, milk the cows at their Tai Tapu farm and show fourth-generation pedigree studs. Sometimes they only get four hours of sleep, making sure the cows are fed four times a day and bathed twice a day before shows.

Showing is a family tradition, dating back to when Dean’s great-grandfather won Champion cow in 1921 at the Christchurch A&P show. In fact, farming is in Dean’s blood—his parents bought the farm from his grandparents when he was three, and Dean purchased the farm from his parents when he was 21. “It’s hard work,” Dean says, “but it’s worth it. I really like working with the animals, teaching them to lead, that kind of thing.”

But Dean also wants to travel the world. So, three years ago, he brought on a contract milker, enabling the Geddes family to travel knowing their cows are in good hands. Dean visited Vietnam two years ago and is planning a family trip to Europe. He is also exploring share milking and other opportunities that may give him back valuable time while keeping the farm in the family.

Dean Geddes and Lachie Appleby (who rides Dean’s horses at times)

An avid polo player from a young age, Dean’s polo has, at times, had to take a back seat to the farm. Understanding the importance of polo in this life, Dean found a way not only to enjoy polo but for it to make financial sense. On March 28, he will host Party at the Polo, a day of champagne, cucumber sandwiches, and auctions for polo ponies and pedigree cows.

Another essential part of this balance and success is having an accountant Dean can trust. He’s worked with Simon Wing, Partner, for years. “Simon always does a great job,” Dean says. “He’ll tell me if I’m spending too much or too little. I struggle to cut costs sometimes—I like to feed my cows the best—so we talk about the costs and benefits of that. I don’t make as much money as people just feeding grass, but it’s part of what I love about farming, looking after the cows. And when I sell the cows, they’re top quality and the price reflects that.”

Dean’s story is one of success and enjoying life, of family time, hobbies, and waking up at the crack of dawn to be with his animals.