Kylie Dorr has been named Supreme Winner of the 2026 NZI Rural Women Business Awards and took out the Emerging Enterprise category, announced at the gala dinner in Parliament’s Banquet Hall.

“I was in disbelief, to be honest,” says Dorr.

“What an amazing group of women to be in the room with.”

Dorr founded Southern Reproductive five years ago as an independent artificial insemination technician, after eight years farming in the United States. Revenue has grown 100% year on year, and the business now runs 12 AI technicians across the South Island and more than 20 seasonal staff.

Southern Reproductive is the national distributor for IMV Technologies ultrasound devices and runs an AI training school open to anyone in New Zealand.

Dorr charges a flat rate per insemination regardless of the genetics a farmer chooses.

“We have a policy, we don’t talk genetics.

“Farmers can purchase from whichever genetics company they like, and we charge the same flat rate per insemination regardless of their choice.”

She says it wasn’t intentional, but most of her technicians are women.

“To have a team of women that we can empower and have them feel seen and heard and valued within our business makes them do their job better.”

Dorr is making changes so she can work on the business rather than in it.

“I think we will see the growth be even bigger than what it has been to date.”

An Australia launch is planned within 12 months.

“There’s not a dull moment.”

Away from the business, she races dirt bikes, winning a national series and representing New Zealand at world championship level.

“When I’m not busy with cows or in the shop fixing scanning gear, I’m usually with my kids out on the racetrack.”

Find the full list of award winners here.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.