Lone Star Farms has once again been recognised for its commitment to people, earning finalist status for a second time in the Rabobank People and Development Award and then taking out the honour at the 2026 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards.
The South Island-based farming business, which operates six farms and employs 35 staff, has built a reputation for putting people at the centre of everything it does. With a corporate structure underpinned by family farm values, it continues to invest heavily in developing capability, supporting wellbeing and fostering a strong team culture. “For us as a company, we feel honoured to win the award,” says general manager Matt Smith. “It’s a testament to the hard work and effort that has gone into our people and how we take pride in our people development. People are the heart of our business, so winning means we are on the right track with our business.”
That focus is evident in the systems it has built to support staff growth. Every permanent employee has a Personal Development Plan tailored to individual goals, with regular reviews and access to training opportunities. Staff is encouraged to attend industry programmes such as Kellogg Rural Leaders and Rabobank Executive Development, alongside field days like the Headwaters Muster.
On-farm roles are also structured as clear development pathways. Positions such as Block Manager and Stock Manager are designed as stepping stones to more senior roles, supported by mentoring and financial training. “All permanent staff have individual personal development plans, and we are progressively developing this process,” says Matt. “If positions become available within the company, we have a policy to advertise in-house first to give our current staff a chance to progress.”
Leadership development is further strengthened through regular Focus Days, which bring together farm and head office teams for strategic planning and coaching. Matt says that external advisors have indicated that the approach is delivering tangible results with a new generation of capable leaders emerging across the business.
“If we can teach and be part of some of the next generation of farmers coming through and they have learned to farm in a sustainable manner, that is how we are having a positive impact on the sector.”
Lone Star Farms also places strong emphasis on wellbeing. “A robust health and safety culture empowers staff to refuse unsafe work, and initiatives such as an Employee Assistance Programme, living wage commitments, quality housing and encouragement of time off aim to support both mental and physical health,” explains Matt.
Team culture is another key pillar. “We prioritise hiring for attitude over skill, believing the right mindset is critical to long-term success. Regular communication, reflective sessions after busy periods and social events such as biennial musters help maintain connection across our operations.” He says staff retention figures indicate the approach is working. “Turnover sits well below industry norms, with many employees choosing to stay and grow within the business,” says Matt.
Lone Star Farms is also contributing to the wider red meat sector. Through scholarships, partnerships and its Star Partners initiative, it supports young farmers into ownership and leasing opportunities by providing livestock capital and guidance. “If we can teach and be part of some of the next generation of farmers coming through and they have learned to farm in a sustainable manner, that is how we are having a positive impact on the sector.”
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