Meet our Team
Andrea Dixon – General Manager
Phone: 027 564 5595
Email: Andrea.Dixon@southerndairyhub.co.nz
Andrea has been at the SDH since July 2023. Prior to joining the Hub, Andrea was the Lower South Island territory manager at the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) for a decade. Before joining LIC, she was dairy farming, although originally trained as an accountant.
Andrea reflects that not only is working for the SDH an industry-good role, it also allows her to work with a great team, passionate key stakeholders, and help find solutions for farmers for the future through the Hub’s research arm. "I believe the Hub is perfectly positioned to be ahead of the game so farmers can move more quickly with great information and data”.
Michael Berkers – Farm Manager
Michael brings extensive on-farm experience and a deep interest in innovation to his role as Farm Manager at the Southern Dairy Hub. Prior to joining SDH in June 2025, he and his wife Cherie ran Moovin Aherd Ltd as sharemilkers in Southland, where their Holstein Friesian herd was recognised for breeding excellence and participated in the NZ Holstein Discovery Project.
Known for his practical approach and forward thinking, Michael has built a reputation for making thoughtful, values-based decisions in a changing dairy landscape. He recently sold 190 of his best cows, heifers and bulls to fund his family's goal of farm ownership amid rising land costs.
At SDH he oversees day-to-day farm operations, supports demonstration trials, and implements strategies to optimise herd performance. Michael is passionate about combining practical farm systems with science, and about helping the Hub serve as a learning platform for the dairy sector in Southland.
Anngelique van Miltenburg - Business Administration Manager
Anngelique van Miltenburg is the SDH Business Administration Manager. She is a mother of five; born in South Africa and completed her schooling in the UK. Anngelique married a Kiwi and relocated to New Zealand in 2024. With over a decade of office administration experience, Anngelique has a passion for numbers and animals – the perfect combo for SDH!
Lee Cowan – Media enquiries and communications
Phone: 021 930 836
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Farm Data & Research
611 Ryal Bush Wallacetown Road
RD4, Southland 9874
Fonterra Supply Number 31445
