A New Zealand agritech group is making bold moves to become the country’s leading force in on-farm milk quality, and it’s doing so by bringing together three specialist businesses under one roof.
Founder & CEO, Terravest
Terravest, described by its founder as an investment company focused on farm milk quality, was established this year as the parent company for a trio of well-established dairy businesses: hygiene specialist Deosan, digital telemetry and automation company Agora, and now DTS Refrigeration - a nationwide refrigeration business with a long history, originally part of NDA 'National Dairy Association'.
The acquisition of DTS is a significant step, consolidating expertise across dairy hygiene, data, and milk cooling into a single group with a clear mission: to offer an integrated approach to milk quality, from the cow right through to the vat.
“Number One from Teat to Tank”
That phrase sums up the ambition of Terravest’s founder and CEO, Kip Bodle, who has spent years building his reputation in the dairy services industry through Deosan.
“I just think it makes sense to keep the DNA of each of those businesses as they are,” Bodle says, and that philosophy shapes how Terravest will operate. While unified under one brand, each business will retain its own identity and leadership. Bodle continues as general manager of Deosan, Hayden Walsh leads Agora, and Luke Walker continues at the helm of DTS.
A Combined Reach of 6,000 Farmers
Together, the three businesses bring a combined customer base of approximately 6,000 dairy farmers, representing close to $11 billion in milksolids value.
“Part of our vision is that we will have some form of relationship with those 6,000 customers. And obviously our primary objective is to play more of a role in caretaking the full value of that $11 billion.”
The Role of Technology: Agora and the Power of Telemetry
A key pillar of Terravest’s strategy is telemetry. Agora is a wireless on-farm telemetry business that acts as the connective tissue between Deosan and DTS - using real-time data to enable proactive maintenance and reduce bacteria risk in milk.
Agora has already secured key vat telemetry contracts with OFi and Westland, and Bodle believes these wins set the stage for strong growth.
“These contracts provide us with a critical platform for further growth over the next five years. Agora is the first vat telemetry provider to use wireless IoT technology for capturing on-farm data.”
Farmers Want Connection, Not Just Service
Bodle is clear that technology alone isn’t the answer. The relationships between service providers and farmers matter just as much.
“Dairy farmers are looking for connectivity because they’re passionate about what they do, and they care about relationships connected to their farm operation. That’s the trick - you’ve got to have the product and service arrangement that they see value in, but you also have to have the right people that are able to connect with them.”
He also sees a growing opportunity in helping farmers tell a better story to the world, supporting New Zealand’s provenance narrative as the demand for transparency in food production continues to rise.
A Family Business, a New Generation
For Bodle, Terravest is more than a business strategy, it’s personal. One of his proudest recent milestones is welcoming his son Seb into the business. Seb was just three years old when Bodle first took over Deosan, and his joining marks the beginning of a second generation of family involvement.
“It’s nice to feel a responsibility to continue to support NZ dairy farmers and to have Deosan, and now Terravest, being a second-generation business. Being a NZ-owned family business is very important to us.”
What’s Next?
With a national footprint, a growing technology platform, and thousands of farmer relationships to build on, Terravest is well placed to deliver on its vision. The integration of hygiene, data, and refrigeration into a single cohesive offering could mark a meaningful shift in how New Zealand dairy farmers experience on-farm support.
From teat to tank — Terravest is aiming to own that entire journey.
