Meet the team
Jo Howes
WelFarm Software Support
Originally from the UK, Jo was involved with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food as well as an AI technician before working in roles in vocational training, including the meat and poultry industry and the land-based sector. She moved to New Zealand in 2007 with her husband and worked with LIC for a number of years across various technological products.
She has also worked with the Dairy Women’s Network and is the president of Mt Pirongia Pony Club. Her role with WelFarm is to support member clinics and onboarding new ones as they sign up. She is also available for clinics to hire to help deliver their WelFarm programme.
Chantel Bennett
WelFarm Relationship Manager
With over ten years of experience in the veterinary industry throughout the Waikato and BOP, Chantel has spent the past few as a head Veterinary Technician/Nurse in Rotorua. She loves working with farmers and attempting to wrangle vets. She has recently entered motherhood and her organisational skills are proving handy.
Her role with WelFarm is to support member clinics to deliver the WelFarm programme among their farmers. She is BCS accredited and is a resource available to clinics as they grow the programme and internal teams.
Trish Rankin
Managing Director
Trish Rankin is a dairy farmer, business owner, educator and governance leader based in Coastal Taranaki, New Zealand. With a background spanning farming, education, leadership and rural business, Trish brings a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing modern farming.
As Managing Director of WelFarm, Trish is passionate about helping veterinarians and farmers use measurable data, trusted advice and practical planning to support stronger herd wellbeing outcomes and continuous farm improvement.
Alongside WelFarm, Trish holds governance and leadership roles across the rural sector and is a strong advocate for practical solutions that create real value on farm
WelFarm has been designed by XLVets NZ and formally endorsed by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA). Running on New Zealand Dairy farms since 2013.
MEMBER PRACTICES
