At ProTen, we are driven by a simple but powerful mission, “We grow the chickens”. Our role is much more than just producing food—it’s about contributing to the health and well-being of every Australian. We are dedicated to helping our customers ensure that all Australians have access to an affordable, sustainable, healthy, and complete diet.
At ProTen, we believe our people are our most important asset. Their dedication, expertise, and innovation drive our success. Our aim is to lead the industry in the operation, design, and construction of broiler chicken farms. Central to our success is a culture of continuous improvement, fostering collaboration among employees and stakeholders to implement innovative ideas and best practices.
Josh has been a valued member of the ProTen team for over three years, bringing dedication, curiosity and a strong work ethic to his role as Farm Manager. While he didn’t originally set out to work in the poultry industry, it has become a career that continues to challenge and reward him. What began as a chance to learn something new, particularly around shed controllers and bird care, quickly developed into a genuine passion.
In his role, Josh is responsible for the day-to-day running of the farm, with a strong focus on both people and production. He manages staff through rostering, training and task coordination, while also overseeing bird health and wellbeing. His work extends to managing feed deliveries, optimising ventilation programs, and coordinating maintenance and contractors to keep the operation running smoothly and efficiently.
What Josh enjoys most about working at ProTen is the constant challenge. He thrives in a fast-paced environment where every batch of chickens presents new learnings, whether that’s adapting to different breeds, responding to weather conditions or refining processes to improve outcomes. He also values being part of a supportive, collaborative team, describing his experience at ProTen as safe, collaborative and challenging, and noting the scale of operations and growth opportunities as a pleasant surprise.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, and working on projects in the garage, interests that reflect his practical, hands-on nature. For anyone considering a career in poultry, his advice is simple: “give it a go”. His own journey shows that stepping into something new can lead to unexpected success and long-term satisfaction
I am Kudz, currently Assistant Farm Manager at ProTen’s Farm 2 and Farm 4 operations in South Australia. I joined ProTen in February 2023 at Fitzsimmons Farm in New South Wales before relocating to South Australia in November 2024.
My journey into the poultry industry was driven by a passion for animal science and animal welfare. Over the past 16 years, I have worked across Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Australia, managing broiler and layer operations, leading hatchery teams, and contributing to modern poultry production systems. Alongside my husband, whom I met while studying Animal Science at Africa University, I have built both a career and a life in the poultry industry.
What I value most about ProTen is its commitment to high standards in animal welfare, biosecurity, and safety, as well as the trust and opportunities it provides for growth and development.
A typical day begins with shed inspections, monitoring bird health and behaviour, feed and water consumption, climate control systems, and production data. The day then shifts to team leadership, maintenance coordination, compliance activities, and responding to any issues that arise. Poultry farming is far more complex than many people realise, requiring a blend of animal care, data analysis, problem-solving, and people management.
Work-life balance can be challenging in an industry that operates around the clock, but sharing the profession with my husband provides a unique understanding of the demands and rewards of the work.
Outside of work, I enjoy exploring South Australia’s landscapes, connecting with diverse communities, and mentoring young professionals, particularly women pursuing careers in agriculture and science.
For anyone considering a career in poultry, I encourage you to come with curiosity and an open mind. Poultry production combines science, technology, animal welfare, and food security, offering a wide range of rewarding career opportunities. My own journey, from a graduate trainee in Zimbabwe to poultry production in Australia, demonstrates just how far those opportunities can take you.
Can Assist (Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW) is a grass roots, not-for-profit organisation operating in 55 plus towns across country NSW. These branches are operated by close to 3,000 members who are all volunteers from their respective communities.
Can Assist is an essential service for country NSW cancer patients. Compared to those in metropolitan areas, rural cancer patients are diagnosed later, are more likely to die and seventeen times more likely to report geographical and financial barriers to care. After all other available support options are utilised, significant gaps remain. Can Assist typically raise and deliver in excess of $2million dollars annually, equating to more than 10,000 calls for assistance.
ProTen is a bronze sponsor of Can Assist and actively participates in events such as City2Lake and Stryde4 Day
Can Assist (Cancer Patients Assistance Society of NSW) is a grass roots, not-for-profit organisation operating in 55 plus towns across country NSW. These branches are
