About us

The Centre for Dairy Excellence Ltd (CfDE) is delivering excellence for sustainable farming businesses through Agricultural Consultancy Services.

We are a leading independent company providing dairy consultancy solutions across New Zealand. The service we provide is novel and does not conform to the standard Agri-consultancy model. CfDE support vets in the field and help farmers to achieve excellence in every facet of their agricultural business. Most importantly, we put the cows first with a strong link to efficiency and profitability.

Our vision is to be recognised as the experts in profitable NZ milk production.

John Niezen

Agronomist, Nutritionist and Farm Consultant

John has had a rather varied career. He has been an extension officer in Thailand and was head of a dairy extension team in India as well as a scientist with AgResearch and ILRI. He has also managed dairy farms in New Zealand, Australia, the USA and Canada. With a BSc, MSc and PhD John has both the scientific and practical experience to share with kiwi farmers.

John is married to Jenny and they have a son, Michael, who lives in the USA and daughter, Rebecca, who lives in Canada.

Katherine Lester

Team Administrator

Katherine has 15years of Administration expedience in the rural sector and her time is split between CfDE and Vetlife.

When she is not working she will be found at home on her wee lifestyle block with her husband, doing an endless list of jobs and keeping her two busy boys entertained.