John Cochrane of Delmont Angus, South Otago, Who Chaired Angus New Zealand

Who is John Cochrane?

John Cochrane is a South Otago farmer and co-owner of the Delmont Angus stud in the Kuriwao Valley. An Otago Daily Times report on his life membership describes him as the chairman of the Angus New Zealand Association from 2018 until 2023, and as a long-serving volunteer for the breed.

He received a life membership at the association's annual meeting in Queenstown on March 10. The association's general manager, Jane Allan, said it does not give out life memberships lightly.

Delmont Angus and the Kuriwao Valley

The stud was founded by Cochrane's father, Stuart, who moved to the 1066 hectare ballot farm in 1949 and registered the herd with the association in 1963. The original aim was practical: to supply bulls for the farm's commercial cows.

Cochrane farmed the property in partnership with his brother Graeme until 2006, then bought his brother's half in 2014. The farm now covers 1662 hectares. Stock is about 80% sheep and 20% beef, including around 260 registered Angus breeding females, so beef is the smaller part of a mixed hill and valley operation.

What does Delmont breed for?

The ODT's profile of the stud says the top breeding priority is fertility, followed by growth, temperament and beef eating quality. Fertility first is a commercial choice: a cow that does not calve each year does not pay her way, whatever her carcass looks like.

The association's stated objective, as the Otago Daily Times reports it, is to ensure Angus cattle work both on the farm and in the restaurant. That phrase captures the balance the stud tries to strike between animals that thrive in the paddock and beef that eats well.

Years of service to Angus New Zealand

Cochrane was the first chairman of the association's Otago and Southland ward from 1998. He was elected to the national board as director and treasurer in March 2015, served as vice-chairman in 2017 and became chairman in 2018, a post he held until 2023.

Under his chairmanship the association adopted a new constitution in November 2021 and appointed its first independent director, Kendall Langston. He also said he kept his finger on the pulse of the association's finances, a habit from his time as treasurer.

Public service beyond the stud

Cochrane also served as the Clutha district councillor for Clinton for 18 years from 2002, according to the Otago Daily Times article. That is a public role beyond cattle, showing how rural leadership in New Zealand often runs through both breed societies and local government.

After the annual meeting, a southern ward tour visited 13 studs over four days with about 70 participants, the sort of event where breeders compare stock and ideas.

More cattle stories on farm.FM

For more on the people who keep breed societies running, see the ranching pages at farm.FM and a farm.FM story about Angus breeders.