Dairy Events Calendar

This workshop is designed to give students an overview of issues relating to lameness management and introduce them to the 5-step trimming process according to the 5-Step Method.

The workshop has 5 on-line learning modules totaling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day.  On the day of the workshop you will need to bring your gumboots, overalls, clothing suitable for the weather and your lunch.

What you will learn

• Anatomy and function of the hoof
• Animal management and its impact on lameness
• Safe trimming techniques
• Hoof trimming according to the 5-Step Process

Free Course Textbook: “Foot Care in Cattle”
Cost: $395 + GST

Another Option:

GROUP DAYS – are catered to a farm/community where the farm/farm group organises the students to attend and the Dairy Hoofcare Institute delivers the training.

Group days options are available with the following costings (*conditions apply):

• Group of up to 8: $2880 + gst  ($360 + gst pp)
• Group of up to 10: $3500 + gst  ($350 + gst pp)

If this is an option you are interested in please phone 03 662 8015 or complete the Group day enquiry form below the references.

Nutrinza is delighted to announce an upcoming open day for farmers at its Feedsafe accredited custom blending store in Marsden Point.

This unique opportunity offers customers a firsthand look into the manufacturing processes behind Nutrinza's high-quality blended feeds.

Please RSVP here before 18 November: www.nutrinza.com/marsden-open-day/

Event highlights:

✅ Blended feed demonstrations: See Nutrinza's customised blending techniques that ensure optimal nutrition for livestock.

✅ Facility tours: Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse of our state-of-the-art FeedSafe accredited manufacturing and distribution facilities.

✅ Meet the team: Interact with our team of specialist consultants who are dedicated to supplying and delivering the best quality feed at the best price to farmers.

✅ Delicious BBQ lunch: Enjoy a complimentary BBQ lunch while networking with fellow dairy farmers, industry professionals and Nutrinza's team.

✅ Special event perks: Sign a contract with Nutrinza and receive an exclusive deal with your blends.

Nutrinza is committed to setting industry standards for quality and innovation. With a focus on animal health and well-being, Nutrinza's products are trusted by farmers across New Zealand.

For more information about the open days, please contact dorothy.valentine@nutrinza.com OR rosalie.bakker@nutrinza.com.

Topics to be covered:

• Quality workplace - Good to great journey
• Update from mating - what options do we still have to reduce the not-in-calf rate?
• Preparing for the summer ahead using home-grown forages
• Cost of calves - adding value to non-replacement animals

Everyone is welcome – lunch is provided

The main focus for the day will be around recent changes Mike has made to his farm system, specifically around feeding, technology and infrastructure, which now includes a covered feed pad for 1200 cows.

The farm is 325ha effective area, peak milking 1180 spring calving cows producing 600,699kgMS (23/24 season). Approximately 3tDM/cow is supplied as a mix of home grown (maize and grass silage) and imported feed, with a focus on driving higher feed conversion efficincies from the herd.

Come along to hear about the journey to date and plans for the future.

Summer is coming, making it the perfect time to get off farm and connect over a delicious lunch! Catch up with fellow attendees while learning about Meat the Need and the impact in your region, and then learn how to be ‘intelligently lazy’ in the kitchen with Margo Flanagan from The Two Raw Sisters.

With a passion for sharing recipes that make you feel great through their five best-selling cookbooks and our internationally recognised Two Raw Sisters App, they inspire people to see everyday food as enjoyment by using great ingredients with minimal effort.

Margo will be showing us how to ‘Be Intelligently Lazy’ with two tasty recipes, followed by a delicious buffet lunch with Silver Fern Farms meat.

You’ll also have the opportunity to purchase their latest book, ‘More Salad’, after the event.

All ticket proceeds will be going towards meals for families in need.

This event is proudly hosted by Meat the Need and Dairy Women’s Network, and brought to you by Elanco, Rabobank, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, and FMG.

Event Timing: Start 11.00am | Finish 2pm

Cost: $75.00

RSVP: 7 November

This workshop is designed to give students an overview of issues relating to lameness management and introduce them to the 5-step trimming process according to the 5-Step Method.

The workshop has 5 on-line learning modules totaling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day.  On the day of the workshop you will need to bring your gumboots, overalls, clothing suitable for the weather and your lunch.

What you will learn

• Anatomy and function of the hoof
• Animal management and its impact on lameness
• Safe trimming techniques
• Hoof trimming according to the 5-Step Process

Free Course Textbook: “Foot Care in Cattle”
Cost: $395 + GST

Another Option:

GROUP DAYS – are catered to a farm/community where the farm/farm group organises the students to attend and the Dairy Hoofcare Institute delivers the training.

Group days options are available with the following costings (*conditions apply):

• Group of up to 8: $2880 + gst  ($360 + gst pp)
• Group of up to 10: $3500 + gst  ($350 + gst pp)

If this is an option you are interested in please phone 03 662 8015 or complete the Group day enquiry form below the references.

🏌️‍♂️ Attention Farmers and Growers! 🏌️‍♀️

It’s time to swap your gumboots for golf shoes and join us for a  Farmer Charity Golf Tournament! ⛳️ Come along to the Whakatane Golf Club on Friday, November 15 for a fantastic day of golfing, games, and giving back. Whether you're a seasoned golfer or a newbie, there’s plenty of fun to be had, and all for a great cause! 🙌

There’ll be more than just your average round of golf – get ready for some awesome challenges, including Closest to the Pin and other fun games along the course. 🏌️‍♂️🎯

After the golf, stick around for our Auction, where we’ll be raising even more funds for a great cause. All proceeds will go 100% to Rural Support Trust Bay of Plenty and the Eastern Bay of Plenty Community Foundation, providing crucial support to our rural communities in times of need. 💚

Here’s what you need to know: 📅 Date: Friday, November 15
📍 Location: Whakatane Golf Club
🕘 Check-in from: 9:30am
🏌️‍♂️ Shotgun start: 11:00am (Ambrose format)
🎯 Games: Closest to the Pin and more!
💸 Cost: $50 per player | $200 for a team of 4

Don’t miss out—grab your mates, form a team, and enjoy a day of friendly competition, prizes, and great company! 🏆

For more details or to register, contact Greg Malcolm at 027 325 7463.

Let’s tee off for a great cause and make a difference together! 🌱⛳️ 

There is no denying that farming is the backbone of New Zealand, with food being a basic need that is provided for local consumption as well as for international markets. With the country’s abundance of land, New Zealand is the perfect place to make farming a successful business.  

Succession planning can prove to be a struggle. This takes many forms, from passing on farms to the next generation to exiting the industry entirely.  

Succession planning is an important issue for New Zealand agriculture and a topic raised frequently by farmers in everyday conversations. It is also an issue that is often left in the ‘too hard basket’ and postponed for years by some farming families.  

It’s also more than passing the farm forward to a future generation. It involves your plans and goals and what the right next steps in your journey are. 

In our workshops we will discuss: 

What makes up succession planning  

- Who the stakeholders are and what their key drivers are 
- Understanding your current business viability 
- Options moving forward 
- Ownership structures and models 
- Ongoing sustainability  
- How to work through your options  

Let us help arm you with the understanding of what succession planning is, and what the next steps could be so that you can make the right decisions for yourselves, your family and your farming business. 

This webinar is bought to you by Dairy Women's Network and CMK Chartered Accountants

Federated Farmers invites new and existing contract milkers, share milkers & farm owners to events around the country in November.

Learn how to navigate business and individual risks for both share farmers and farm owners. Our industry experts will guide you through contractual changes, farm assessments, and how to build and maintain strong, enduring working relationships.

Don’t miss this chance to grow your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field!

Federated Farmers invites new and existing contract milkers, share milkers & farm owners to events around the country in November.

Learn how to navigate business and individual risks for both share farmers and farm owners. Our industry experts will guide you through contractual changes, farm assessments, and how to build and maintain strong, enduring working relationships.

Don’t miss this chance to grow your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field!

Understanding how key decisions made on farm, including timing and effective use of supplements, have an impact on your farm business and are an important part of supporting your farm system to be future fit.

Join us on farm with Tararua farmers Harvey Verwaayen and Zara Van Hout, who are achieving greater sustainability and profitability on their system 5 farm with infrastructure that includes a barn. Harvey and Zara will share their farm system and succession story, including how they use different supplements at certain times of the year to ensure the business remains profitable.

DairyNZ farm system specialist Mark Williams will share his farm system knowledge to demonstrate how the strategic use of supplements could benefit your business.

Farm owners, sharemilkers, contract milkers, and those interested in improving supplement use on farm are encouraged to attend this event, tailored to all farmers.

Find out more about:

• Analysis of Lower North Island DairyBase data
• Strategic use of supplements on farm
• Key decision-making metrics associated with supplements
• Facts and misconceptions about common supplement types
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the Supplement Price Calculator and FeedChecker Calculator 

Lunch provided – kindly sponsored by Dickie Direct

No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Understand the current environmental issues farmers are facing and ways to make positive progress towards sustainability while maintaining profitability and business resilience for your farm system.

Join us at the TET Stadium and Events Centre in Inglewood, where we will hear from Massey University Professor David Horne, who has publised several research papers on how to reduce the environmental impacts of dairy farming systems on the environment.

David's main research and teaching interests are soil physics and soil water management. He has been involved in numerous edge of field and modelling studies that explore reducing contaminant loss and is involved in several Massey professional development courses, including sustainable nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, and dairy farm effluent management.

Farmers that are involved in decision making or those interested in water quality health and environmental stability are encouraged to attend.

Also hear from:

• Adam Duker - DairyNZ Senior Environmental Scientist
• Sophie Arnoux - Fonterra Sustainable Dairying Advisor
• Paul Turner - Taranaki Catchment Communities (TCC) Project Manager
• Campbell Parker - DairyNZ Chief Executive 

Find out more about:

• Recognise the current environmental issues farmers are facing and look at the opportunities to help resolve these
• Observing the positive impact constructed or restored wetlands can have in reducing nutrient and contaminant loss from a farming system
• Recognise how the discharge of effluent to land can affect the environment and look at how applying effluent to land can financially benefit the farm
• Recognising critical source areas and how to reduce environmental impact of these in addition to minimising sediment loss

Lunch Kindly provided by TCC

Throughout a season on a New Zealand dairy farm, up to 57% of the time is spent milking.

Milking frequency and efficiency can be an effective on farm practice to improve people productivity. Understand how changes within your milking system and use of technology can benefit your cows, staff and production while maintaining a profitable dairy business.

Flexible milking is widely used across farms in the Top of the South Island. Whether it is Twice a Day (TAD) with a variation post-Christmas, right through to Once a Day (OAD) milking all season. Join us at Brendan and Liz Richards to hear about how using flexible milking on different occasions has impacted their business.

Hear from DairyNZ Farm Systems Specialist Mark Speight on recent research into the implications of variable milking frequencies and how they could impact your farm.

Find out more about:

• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• MaxT - a strategy to milk cows at a predetermined time based on milk volume. This results in less time in the dairy for staff and cows without affecting milk production or udder health
• How using technologies like automatic teat sprayers, adjusting pulsation ratio, training staff on milking routines and cupping techniques can benefit your farm practices
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the MilkSmart app and the Milking Time Planner

A BBQ lunch is kindly provided by ANZ.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Surfing For Farmers | 2024 Season Start Dates

Everything is locked and loaded for season eight.

Head to our website www.surfingforfarmers.com and get yourself registered for an epic season of surfing, unwinding and great banter beach side.

Thank you to everyone who helps makes this happen.

Bayleys Real Estate
Rabobank New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fonterra
www.jarden.co.nz
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Rural Support Trust National

Pasture Summit is holding an on-farm event in Canterbury this Spring, hosted by farmers for farmers, with input from dairy sector specialists, sharing ideas and developments on achieving profitable dairy food production from grass.

We’re in the business of turning grass to milk to cash - it’s our key competitive advantage. Our host farmers are focused on achieving strong bottom-line financial performance and growth. They will present their costs and returns and discuss their farm management strategy to drive profit now and into the future.

9:30am - Arrival, registration and morning tea 
10am - Sessions start
1pm - Lunch
2:45pm - Event finishes 

Lunch is provided and registration is required.

For more information and to register, click here.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Understanding how healthy waterways, including management of sediment loss and bacteria contamination impacts both sustainability and profitability is an important part of setting your farm business up to be future fit.

Northland Regional Council have identified high levels of sediment and E.Coli as key problems for freshwater management. Learn what practices you can put in place to help improve freshwater outcomes and support your farm to be future fit. Recognising your options and understanding what implementing these regulations mean for you, is an important part of supporting your farm business to be profitable.

Greg and Claire Collins run a highly profitable 150 cow dairy farm with a strong environmental focus and are involved in several projects to constantly help lower their environmental footprint.

Hear from Principal Scientist Craig Depree who will share insights around improving freshwater quality, riparian planting options and what the council regulations mean for farmers.

Farmers wanting to gain more knowledge on how they can reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining a profitable farm system are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:

• Greg and Claires finalist BFEA experience and their KPI highlights for achieving a strong financial result, balanced with a low footprint
• Options and opportunities for farmers to reduce the loss of contamination
• Regulatory targets, are they achievable and realistic in pastoral catchments?
• Benefits and co-benefits of Riparian planting waterways

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Understanding how key decisions made on farm, including timing and effective use of supplements, have an impact on your farm business and are an important part of supporting your farm system to be future fit.

Join us on farm with Rangitikei farmer Robert Nydegger, who is currently operating a system 5 farm in a unique way. Robert will share his farm system story and how he uses different supplements at certain times of the year to ensure his business remains profitable.

DairyNZ farm system specialist Mark Williams will share his farm system knowledge to demonstrate how the strategic use of supplements could benefit your business.

Farm owners, sharemilkers, contract milkers, and those interested in improving supplement use on farm are encouraged to attend this event, tailored to all farmers.

Find out more about:

• Analysis of Lower North Island DairyBase data
• Strategic use of supplements on farm
• Key decision-making metrics associated with supplements
• Facts and misconceptions around common supplement types
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the Supplement Price Calculator and FeedChecker Calculator 

Lunch provided - kindly sponsored by Open Country Dairy. No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Understand the current environmental issues farmers are facing and ways to make positive progress towards sustainability while maintaining profitability and business resilience for your farm system.

Join us on farm with Phillip and Donna Cram, where we will discuss the work they have put into restoring the natural environment at their Auroa Road farm. Hear about their journey and gain tips you can apply to your own farm business to make a positive impact on the environment while maintaining a profit.

Hear from Massey University Professor David Horne, who has published several research papers looking at reducing the environmental impacts of dairy farming systems on the environment. David has been involved in numerous edge of field and modelling studies looking into reducing contaminant loss and is involved in several Massey professional development courses, including sustainable nutrient management, greenhouse gas emissions, and farm dairy effluent management.

Also hear from:

• Adam Duker - DairyNZ Senior Environmental Scientist
• Sophie Arnoux - Fonterra Sustainable Dairying Advisor
• Paul Turner - Taranaki Catchment Communities (TCC) Project Manager
• Craig Pickford - Taranaki Regional Council

Find out more about:

• Observing the positive impact constructed or restored wetlands can have in reducing nutrient and contaminant loss from a farming system
• Recognise how the discharge of effluent to land can affect the environment and look at how applying effluent to land can financially benefit the farm
• Recognising critical source areas and how to reduce environmental impact of these in addition to minimising sediment loss

Lunch Kindly provided by TCC

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Throughout a season on a New Zealand dairy farm, up to 57% of the time is spent milking.

Milking frequency and efficiency can be an effective on farm practice to improve people productivity. Understand how changes within your milking system and use of technology can benefit your cows, staff and production while maintaining a profitable dairy business.

Flexible milking is widely used across farms in the Top of the South. Whether it is Twice a Day (TAD) with a variation post-Christmas, right through to Once a Day (OAD) milking all season. Jon and Vicki Nicholls have recently changed to a OAD system and introduced the use of wearable technology.

Hear from DairyNZ Farm Systems Specialist Mark Speight on recent research into the implications of variable milking frequencies and how they relate to the change in system on the Nicholls farm. Also, how the introduction of wearable technology within the system will benefit the farm and its future endeavours.

Find out more about:

• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• MaxT - a strategy to milk cows at a predetermined time based on milk volume. This results in less time in the dairy for staff and cows without affecting milk production or udder health
• How using technologies like automatic teat sprayers, adjusting pulsation ratio, training staff on milking routines and cupping techniques can benefit your farm practices
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the MilkSmart app and the Milking Time Planner

Lunch kindly provided by FarmSource.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH

Join us in a very relaxed social setting for a Free BBQ for farmers, growers, staff and families of everyone involved with the rural community.  

Come on down any time from 4pm on the last Wednesday of the month, grab a bite to eat from the BBQ and catch up with other farmers and growers from the local area

Supported by Farmstrong and the Bay of Plenty Rural Support Trust.  

Understanding how healthy waterways, including management of sediment loss and bacteria contamination impacts both sustainability and profitability is an important part of setting your farm business up to be future fit.

Northland Regional Council have identified high levels of sediment and E.Coli as key problems for freshwater management. Learn what practices you can put in place to help improve freshwater outcomes and support your farm to be future fit. Recognising your options and understanding what implementing these regulations mean for you, is an important part of supporting your farm business to be profitable.

On their 125 year old family farm in Matakana, Ian and Jo Trotter are well established due to their extensive knowledge of the area and a strong focus on environmental care. 

Hear from Principal Scientist Craig Depree who will share insights on ways to around improving freshwater quality, riparian planting options and what the council regulations mean for farmers.

Farmers wanting to gain more knowledge on how they can reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining a profitable farm system are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:

• Ian & Jo’s involvement in BFEA and trials such as ‘Dairying in a variable climate’ and how it helps them farm with a lower footprint 
• Options and opportunities for farmers to reduce the loss of contamination
• Regulatory targets, are they achievable and realistic in pastoral catchments?
• Benefits and co-benefits of Riparian planting waterways
  
  

Tea and coffee 10:30am with a 11am start.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Understanding how key decisions made on farm, including timing and effective use of supplements, have an impact on your farm business and are an important part of supporting your farm system to be future fit.

Join us on farm with Horowhenua farmers Doug Easton (owner) and Colin Rider (sharemilker), currently operating near the Moutoa Spillway. They will share their story and how they use different supplements at certain times of the year to ensure their business remains profitable.

DairyNZ farm system specialist Mark Williams will share his farm system knowledge to demonstrate how the strategic use of supplements could benefit your business.

Farm owners, sharemilkers, contract milkers, and those interested in improving supplement use on farm are encouraged to attend this event, tailored to all farmers.

Find out more about:

• Analysis of Lower North Island DairyBase data
• Strategic use of supplements on farm
• Key decision-making metrics associated with supplements
• Facts and misconceptions about common supplement types
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the Supplement Price Calculator and FeedChecker Calculator 

Lunch provided. No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Join us for our pre-Christmas get together, before the holiday craziness begins.

Take a break from the farm and enjoy a fun-filled evening of laughter, bingo and tasty tapas

Everyone is welcome to join us, but places are limited so please register to ensure your spot!

Tickets include tapas. Please bring your wallet for beverages available from the bar.

RSVP by: 22/11/24

Event Timings: Registration 6.30pm | Start 7pm | Finish 9pm

Cost: $32 per person

This exciting, hands-on programme will teach learners the value of optimising milk quality. They will also understand the risks of milk harvesting including the importance of maintenance, hygiene and udder health. This micro-credential is suited for anyone new to the industry as well as anyone else involved with milking, who wants to learn the basic skills for this aspect of farming. 

This micro-credential takes 5 months to complete. 

Learners are required to attend 3 workshop days. 

Domestic fee was $747.50, now only $373.75*. 

*Get up to 50% off fees in 2024, only applies to funded learner fees. Learn more here.   

This course is aimed at those who are serious about minimising lameness on their farm through gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, as well as becoming competent in the technical aspects of hoof trimming. If you would like to become a professional hoof trimmer, or more competent on farm when treating your herds hooves or add a specific skill to your veterinary practice to offer to your clients then this course is for you.

This is an intensive 5 day course that covers both the theory and the practice of hoof care and hoof trimming techniques led by our director Fred Hoekstra, who is New Zealand’s only fully qualified hoof care instructor.

This course is aimed at those who are serious about minimising lameness on their farm through gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, as well as becoming competent in the technical aspects of hoof trimming.  If you would like to become a professional hoof trimmer, or more competent on farm when treating your herds hooves or add a specific skill to your veterinary practice to offer to your clients then this course is for you.

This is an intensive 5-day course that covers both the theory and the practice of hoof care and hoof trimming techniques led by our director Fred Hoekstra, who is New Zealand’s only fully qualified hoof care instructor.

What you will learn

·         Hoof Care Theory

·         Foot Anatomy and function

·         Recognition and treatment of claw disease

·         Lameness prevention

·         The relationship between Nutrition and Lameness

Hoof Trimming – Best Practice

·         Lameness treatment      

·         Preventative hoof trimming (shaping the claw correctly)

·         Use of angle grinder for hoof trimming.

·         Application of claw blocks

·         Knife Sharpening

·         Hoof Trimming tools and accessories

Location: Course is presented at DHI headquarters and on host farms.

Time: Five days – 8:30am to 5pm

Free Course Textbook:“Hoof Signals – Success factors for healthy hoofs” (supplied)

Cost:$2,750+GST

Our hosts, farm owners Greg and Janelle Imeson, milk 181 cows on their 75 ha (eff) farm, in a split-calving, OAD system. They won the Northland DIA Farm Manager of the Year award in 2017 and they were second overall for the DBOTY Supreme Award in 2020. We will hear all about their operation and the steps they are taking to pay off their farm in under ten years, also:

Somatic cell count - how low can you go? 

The Imesons have worked hard to improve their BMCC results, reducing them from an average of 220,000 cells/ml to the low 100,000s, and they have currently achieved 93% milk quality excellence on their days supplied this season. Steve Cranefield, Agrihealth, will help us to delve into the secrets to achieving a low somatic cell count in your herd. Also, he will talk about how you can prevent and manage mastitis on your farm, and how to get to the root of a mastitis problem.  

Hitting your heifer targets

Growing heifers that go on to meet their full potential when they join the herd can be a challenge. Ruth Kitchen, New Zealand Grazing Company, will talk about the critical heifer targets that need to be met. They will also share practical tips and actions farmers should take to make sure their heifers return from grazing off in optimal condition. Kamo Vets will outline the key aspects you should include in a heifer health plan: vaccinations, minerals, biosecurity, and drenching appropriately (including how to avoid drench resistance - with input from Wormwise).

Free event, all welcome. Morning tea and lunch provided.

Explore how different wearable technologies and their data can play an important role in increasing on farm efficiencies around people, reproduction and animal health, for a productive workplace.

Join us on farm with Tairei Sharemilkers Cameron and Anna Edgecombe who will share their drivers for investing in the wearable technology, Halter, and what their experience has been over the past 6 months. We will also explore other wearable technologies such as the Smaxtec Boluses from Duncan Wells, and the Allflex collars with Matthew Kerr to see how each of these farmers are using data to drive on farm productivity.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Paul Edwards will offer insight on what to consider when investing in technology, along with trends in national technology adoption and how this is impacting workplace improvements.

If you are interested in exploring what technology could work for you and hearing how and why farmers are using wearable technology on their farms, this event is for you.

Find out more about:

• The economics of each wearable technology and why each farmer chose a particular option.
• What changes farmers made to maximise the results and data gained from use of wearables.
• Data being extracted from the wearable and how it is being used to drive decisions. Data includes health indicators, activity levels and reproductive status.
• Other technology being used to drive workplace productivity and how you identify what is best for you and your farm

BBQ lunch kindly provided by Argispray.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed

Making the most of different on farm practices and technology can have a big impact on workplace productivity and efficiency to make the job easier and reduce stress for people on farm.

The Allen family will share insights on how using Halter has improved their farming operation, maximised efficiency and reduced stress levels.

We will also be highlighting statistics from the 2023 employees survey, applying the findings/statistics to the Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau region, and understanding what technologies could be adopted to help improve workplace productivity.

Hear from DairyNZ Research Engineer Brian Dela Rue about the different on farm practices and opportunities to improve workplace productivity and optimise your farm system.

Attend this event if you want to improve workplace efficiency, and recruit and retain a high performing team.

Find out more about:

• Technologies that could help improve your farms workplace productivity
• The connection between staff retention, farming efficiency and profit
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including People Productivity Calculator and Workplace 360

Lunch is kindly provided by Halter. 

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Come and join us for "Bubbles & Bash" - Fun, Fast & Social

Twilight She Loves Golf 6's  at Murupara Golf Course
Warmer weather and longer evenings mean  you can enjoy time with your mates out on the golf course!
Join us on the golf course for a round of 6 holes finishing with a glass of bubbles and light refreshments.

Come and have a go!

The "Rules"......

"IT'S OKAY" RULES

It is ok.......

#01 To not keep score

#02 To tee the ball up wherever you like

#03 To forget about a lost ball and just hit a new one

#04 To pick up in the middle of a hole and just enjoy the walk

#05 To only count swings when a connection is made

#06 To share a set of clubs amongst friends

#07 To use the same club for the whole round and a putter on the green

If you don't have any golf clubs that's okay, spare sets of clubs will be provided to share.

Limited spots available so get in quick!

BBQ sponsored by Rabobank

Event Timings - Starts 5pm | Finishes 8pm

Ticket Cost: $27.50 per person

RSVP by: 26th November

Surfing For Farmers | 2024 Season Start Dates

Everything is locked and loaded for season eight.

Head to our website www.surfingforfarmers.com and get yourself registered for an epic season of surfing, unwinding and great banter beach side.

Thank you to everyone who helps makes this happen.

Bayleys Real Estate
Rabobank New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fonterra
www.jarden.co.nz
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Rural Support Trust National

Join us on farm at Massey University Dairy 4 with Dr Ranvir Singh – Associate Professor Massey University and DairyNZ environment specialists to see the latest trials across the Lower North Island including:

• Controlled Drainage
• Wood Chip Bio reactors
• Drainage water recycling
• E-Coli management

Speakers at this event will provide an update on water quality monitoring in the region. We will explore how research undertaken by Massey University and DairyNZ integrates with the farm system, and the on-farm benefits provided.

This event is suited for all local farmers, including Dairy Environment Leaders in the Lower North Island and Taranaki regions, catchment group members in Rangitikei, Manawatu and Tararua and rural professionals. Farmers are invited to bring their own on-farm water samples for testing.

Lunch will be provided. No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry – please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed

Explore how different wearable technologies and their data can play an important role in increasing on farm efficiencies around people, reproduction and animal health, for a productive workplace. 

Join us on farm with hosts Sharn & Billy Roskam who will share their experience of using Cow Manager for 5 prior seasons and this year switching to HALTER for their herd and also young stock replacements. We will also have local herd owning sharemilkers Ben Worker and Jaime McCrostie join us to share their insights around investing in and utilising Smaxtec bolus in their herd for the past 6 months. We’ll be discussing the costs involved in investing in these products along with their ongoing subscriptions fees, what data is being driven from them at a farm systems level and the farmers justification for investing in this technology!

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Paul Edwards will offer insight on what to consider when investing in technology, along with trends in national technology adoption and how this is impacting workplace improvements. 

 If you are interested in exploring what technology could work for you and hearing how and why farmers are using wearable technology on their farms, this event is for you. 

Find out more about: 

• Data being extracted from the wearable and how it is being used to drive decisions. Data includes health indicators, activity levels and reproductive status. 
• The economics of each wearable technology and why each farmer chose a particular option. 
• What changes farmers  made to maximise the results and data gained from use of wearables. 
• Other technology being used to drive workplace productivity and how you identify what is best for you and your farm 

Lunch provided.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed 

Making the most of different on farm practices and technology can have a big impact on workplace productivity through creating a range of efficiencies.

Join us on farm with Waikato 50/50 sharemilkers, Liam and Gillian Bunnik who are in their third-year share milking their family farm, milking 780 cows. They will talk through their experience adopting technology on-farm including wearables for heat detection, health and drafting. They will also discuss their use of Mastatest for diagnosing mastitis strains and their adoption of Aimer pasture monitoring this season, which uses AI to help model growth rates and pasture performance.

Hear from Nico Lyons, Head of Science at DairyNZ around how technology can play a role in increasing workplace productivity and/or efficiency. Discuss principles to guide decision making that suits your system, goals and outcomes. He will also share insights into potential uses and developments we may see from technology in the future.
This event would be suitable for sharemilkers and farm owners looking to streamline and optimise their farm system with the use of technology.

Find out more about:
• The role of technology in increasing productivity and/or efficiency
• Guiding decision making to suit your system and goals.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Throughout a season on a New Zealand dairy farm, up to 57% of the time is spent milking. Milking frequency and efficiency can be an effective on farm practice to improve people productivity for a future fit farm business.

Understand how changes within your milking system can benefit your cows, staff and production while maintaining a profitable dairy business.

Canterbury had a steady uptake in flexible milking at different stages across the season. Discover insights from Highveld Dairies as they share their experience using 3 in 2 milking for the whole season, and how this has impacted their business.

Hear from DairyNZ’s Callum Eastwood and Lucy Hall on the research into the implications of variable milking frequencies and how to make milking times fit socially for the team, as well as optimising production.

Farmers that are involved in making decisions around milking frequency and staff management are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:

• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• Where we are at as an industry for workplace attractiveness
• Find out DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the MilkSmart app and the Milking Time Planner

BBQ provided thanks to Rural Co.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Making the most of different on farm practices and technology can have a big impact on workplace productivity and efficiency to make the job easier and reduce stress for people on farm.

Scott & Rebecca O’Brien will highlight the technologies they have implemented on their farm. We will also hear their tips and strategies for creating a people culture that is a key focus within their business. 

We will also be highlighting statistics from the 2023 employees survey, applying the findings/statistics to the Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau region, and understanding what technologies could be adopted to help improve workplace productivity. 

Hear from DairyNZ Research Engineer Brian Dela Rue about the different on farm practices and opportunities to improve workplace productivity and optimise your farm system.

Attend this event if you want to improve workplace efficiency, and recruit and retain a high performing team.

Find out more about:

• Technologies that could help improve your farms workplace productivity
• The connection between staff retention, farming efficiency and profit
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including People Productivity Calculator and Workplace 360

Lunch is kindly provided by FarmSource and FMG.  

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Our hosts, David and Sarah Rawnsley, 50:50 sharemilk 360 cows on their family’s 152-hectare farm. They have a target annual production of 120,000 – 125,000 kg MS and have been milking once-a-day (OAD) for the last five seasons. We will hear all about their system and also:

First-class maize

Maize cropping using alternative tillage techniques is becoming more common throughout the region and David and Sarah have been involved in an on-farm trial run by FAR investigating different tillage practices. Rowland Tsimba, research lead at Pioneer, will reveal what has been learned about tillage, its impact on soil quality characteristics, and how the lessons learned could be applied to crops. Also, as plants are now out of the ground it is a critical time for taking the right actions to support your crop’s growth. Rowland will share what to look for to help optimise your crop yield now, and in the future, e.g. seed bed preparation, weed and pest control, and nutrient deficiencies.

Heifers: graze off, graze at home, or not at all!

David and Sarah are grazing 100 R2yr and 70 R1yr heifers at home. Kent Weston-Arnold, DairyNZ, has carried out an analysis to compare grazing heifers on or off the farm, he will talk about how you can run the numbers and select the best option for your system. And then there is not rearing heifers at all and buying cows in instead. Scott Kovaleski, uses this strategy on his farm. He will talk about how and why he made the decision to do it, its pros and cons, and the practicalities of how it works in his system. New Zealand Grazing Company will outline the practical tips and actions farmers should take to make sure their heifers return from grazing off in optimal condition.

Free event, all welcome. Morning tea and lunch provided.

Understanding how healthy waterways, soil health and management of nutrient losses impacts both sustainability and profitability is an important part of setting your farm business up to be future fit.

Join us on farm with farm owner Cameron Henderson and contract milker Steve Overend who will share their unique insights and experiences completing their first winter on an all-grass baleage system. They will also discuss their trial of nanobubble Agritech with drip lines, and experience with fertigation which they have used for several years for improved pasture growth and water use efficiency.

DairyNZ principal scientist Ina Pinxterhuis will discuss the strategic use of nitrogen inputs and research on alternative pasture species and wintering. She will draw on more than 10 years of DairyNZ research on reducing nitrate leaching and share recent developments with alternative forages and how you can introduce different mitigations to optimise your farm system.

Farmers looking for strategies to reduce nutrient loss and increase nutrient use efficiency within a 190kg N cap whilst retaining profitability are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:

• Host farmer experience of dryland all-grass wintering
• Options to reduce nutrient loss in free-draining soils
• The role of alternative pasture species

BBQ lunch kindly provided by Synlait.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Making the most of different on farm practices and technology can have a big impact on workplace productivity and efficiency to make the job easier and reduce stress for people on farm. 

Discover how 50/50 Sharemilkers Reece and Tash Cox have adopted several new on farm technology practices, and incorporated systems and procedures into their farm system to improve workplace efficiency.

We will also be highlighting statistics from the 2023 employees survey, applying the findings and statistics to the Bay of Plenty/Central Plateau region, and understanding what technologies could be adopted to help improve workplace productivity.

Hear from DairyNZ Research Engineer Brian Dela Rue about the different on-farm practices, technologies and opportunities to improve workplace productivity and optimise your farm system. He will discuss factors to consider before investing in new technologies, to ensure you get the results you need to improve your business.

Attend this event if you want to improve workplace efficiency and recruit and retain a high performing team.

Find out more about:

• Technologies that could help improve your farms workplace productivity
• The connection between staff retention, farming efficiency and profit
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including People Productivity Calculator and Workplace 360

Lunch is kindly provided by Greenlea.

Protect our industry – please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Making the most of different on farm technologies and practices can have a substantial impact on workplace productivity and efficiency to make the job easier and reduce stress for people on farm.

Join us on farm with Waikato farmers, Matt and Shaylee Rout, who will share insights on how using different technologies have improved their farming operation through maximised efficiency and reduced stress levels.

We will also share statistics from the 2023 employees survey, relevant to the Waikato region, and help you understand what technologies could help improve workplace productivity on your farm.

Hear from DairyNZ Head of Science, Nicolas Lyons, who will share how different on farm practices and opportunities can improve workplace productivity to get the best out of your farm, cows, and staff. Farmers wanting to improve their workplace efficiency, gain knowledge on recruiting and retaining a high performing team through technology, data and other on farm practices are encouraged to atte

Throughout a season on a New Zealand dairy farm, up to 57% of the time is spent milking.

Milking frequency and efficiency can be an effective on farm practice to improve people productivity. Understand how changes within your milking system can benefit your cows, staff and production while maintaining a profitable dairy business.

The West Coast has led the way in adapting flexible milking across the season. Whether it is Twice a Day (TAD) with a variation post-Christmas, right through to Once a Day (OAD) milking all season. Michael and Christine Hart have adapted their system from TAD to 3/2 and have now landed on OAD milking. Discover how the changes have impacted their farming enterprise through the milking frequency change with reference to corresponding DairyBase data.

Hear from DairyNZ Senior Scientist Dawn Dalley on recent research into the implications of variable milking frequencies and how they relate to physical and financial results for the Harts enterprise.

Find out more about:

• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• MaxT - a strategy to milk cows at a predetermined time based on milk volume. This results in less time in the dairy for staff and cows without affecting milk production or udder health
• How using technologies like automatic teat sprayers, adjusting pulsation ratio, training staff on milking routines and cupping techniques can benefit your farm practices
• DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the MilkSmart app and the Milking Time Planner

Lunch is kindly provided by RST.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Learn how on farm practices, including technology and milking efficiency, can improve workplace productivity.

Around half of the workday is spent milking on most New Zealand dairy farms, making it a great opportunity to increase efficiency.

Join us on farm with Rangitata Sharemilker Jared Crawford to hear how he runs a large team milking 1950 cows with 8 staff. Jared combines team management, milking efficiency, and technology to run an efficient farm. The team at Lamorna are in their first season of using collars and they will share the benefits and challenges so far, and how data from this technology could be used for the farm business in future.

Jared will discuss how he optimises his milking routine using MaxT concepts resulting in 600 cows/hr output and utilises 3-in-2 in late lactation to reduce time spent milking. Lucy Hall, DairyNZ Post-doc Scientist, will join the discussion on how science backs this up.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Callum Eastwood will share the latest research around technology and its place in improving workplace productivity and attractiveness.

Find out more about:

• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• Using technology effectively on farm
• Where we are at as an industry for workplace attractiveness

BBQ lunch will be provided thanks to Central Feeds.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

We invite all farmers to join us in a farmer led conversation around how to maximise your farm system, post a tough spring.

Take the opportunity to get off farm and to share information and learn from others about how to tackle the remainder of the 24/25 season.

Topics covered:

• Pasture management through the late spring
• Winter crop/grazing planning options
• Supplementary feed

Take away practical tips and knowledge for setting your farm system up for success and join us over supper.

Supper kindly provided by RST.

Understanding how healthy waterways, including management of sediment loss and bacteria contamination impacts both sustainability and profitability is an important part of setting your farm business up to be future fit.

Northland Regional Council have identified high levels of sediment and E.Coli as key problems for freshwater management. Learn what practices you can put in place to help improve freshwater outcomes and support your farm to be future fit. Recognising your options and understanding what implementing these regulations mean for you, is an important part of supporting your farm business to be profitable.

Hear from host farmers Alister and Lynn Candy, who will share their approach to adopting new practices, strategic planning and research to ensure their farm system will benefit.

Principal Scientist Craig Depree will share insights on ways to improve freshwater quality, riparian planting options and what the council regulations mean for farmers.

Farmers wanting to gain more knowledge on how they can reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining a profitable farm system are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:

• Alister and Lynns diverse soil types throughout the farm, and how they manage this
• Options and opportunities for farmers to reduce the loss of contamination
• Regulatory targets, are they achievable and realistic in pastoral catchments?
• Benefits and co-benefits of Riparian planting waterways

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Join us on farm with Kimbolton farm owners Berenice and Colin Jensen who will share how technology is used across their farm business to increase efficiency and productivity. 

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Callum Eastwood will share his specialist knowledge on integrating technology and practices into a farm system, including: 

• Present and future challenges 
• Decision making on technology  
• Tangible benefits  
• Statistics on wearables 
• Making the most of data and technology 
• What are the opportunities for your farm  

Farm owners, sharemilkers and decision makers interested in improving productivity and efficiency and work-life balance are encouraged to attend. Bring your questions and curiosity. 

Lunch provided. No registration is required for this event. 

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed. 

Join us at Wainono Farm with John Wright and Richard Green, as they seek to further improve water quality whilst maintaining profitability.

With the farms estimated Overseer N-loss currently meeting its Plan Change 7 (2028) N-loss limits, Wainono’s focus broadens from the milking platform to a whole of catchment analysis.

Learn about the changes farm owners John Wright and Richard Green are implementing, on and off the milking platform, with farm adviser Jeremy Savage to reduce the business's overall environmental footprint whilst reducing expenses.

Hear from the Catchment Group who have assessed the Strathconan Stream and how Physiographics and LiDAR can help refine management practices for grazing livestock.

Join the conversation with DairyNZ Water Quality Scientist Lee Burbery and Freshwater Specialist Jared Panther from Opuha Water to discuss the latest ground water nitrate level data and the impact of monthly vs quarterly sampling.

Find out more about:

• How reducing replacement rates impacts GHG emissions, support land requirements, and nutrient losses, while maintaining profitability
• Technology’s role in understanding nutrient movement through the profile and how soils respond to management
• The impact of paddock management on stream health and the changes to this over time
• Analysis of the sources and age of N in the local ground water.

This event is jointly hosted and run by DairyNZ, Living Landscapes South Canterbury and the Upper Opihi-Opuha Catchment Group and includes a family BBQ kindly sponsored by FMG and Temuka Transport from 5.30pm.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Surfing For Farmers | 2024 Season Start Dates

Everything is locked and loaded for season eight.

Head to our website www.surfingforfarmers.com and get yourself registered for an epic season of surfing, unwinding and great banter beach side.

Thank you to everyone who helps makes this happen.

Bayleys Real Estate
Rabobank New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fonterra
www.jarden.co.nz
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Rural Support Trust National

Learn how you can grow productivity in your farm business through on farm practices and technologies that encourage efficiency for a farm system that is future fit.

Join us at the Stadium Bar and Bistro in Stratford, where we will provide an interactive platform for farmers to learn from technical experts, industry leaders and local farmers about implementing on farm practices to boost workplace productivity. Learn how you can maximise milking efficiency through implementing Max-T, explore the benefits of alternative milking frequencies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity.

Hear from:

• Dawn Dalley, Senior DairyNZ Scientist
• Kane Brisco, Local farmer, health and wellbeing advocate
• Daryl and Karen Johnson, local farmers implementing alternative milking frequencies
• Dan and Jen Allen, local farmers implementing Max-T

Find out more about:

• How to adapt different on farm efficiencies to create a more productive on-farm workplace to make jobs easier, reduce stress and create a more attractive workplace
• Alternative milking frequencies and how they can increase on farm efficiency and productivity
• Recognising how to implement Max-T into farm systems to make the milking system as efficient as possible and save time in the shed
• A range of farm technologies that can play a role in improving productivity
• Recognising the importance of wellbeing and the role it plays within a farm system

Lunch Provided

Join us on farm with Hawkes Bay sharemilkers Jono and Kerri Robson, who will share how technology is used across their farm business to increase efficiency and productivity.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Callum Eastwood will share his specialist knowledge on integrating technology and practices into a farm system, including:

• Present and future challenges
  • Decision making on technology
  • Tangible benefits
• Statistics on wearables
• Hitting the sweet spot
• Making the most of data and technology
• What are the opportunities for your farm

Farm owners, sharemilkers and decision makers interested in improving productivity and efficiency and work-life balance are encouraged to attend. Bring your questions and curiosity.

Lunch provided. No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed

Waikato farmers John Hayward and Susan O'Regan have set out with a bold ambition. John believes in looking beyond what you can see and leading from the front. Join us on farm with John and Susan who will share their proactive approach to what farming sustainably looks like, where profitability and biodiversity connect.

Across their 240-hectare farm, 11 wetlands have been regenerated, waterways have been fenced and riparian strips planted. Native forest has also been reestablished. In 2016, John and Susan won the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Hear from DairyNZ principal freshwater scientist Craig Depree on the health of the waterways, environment DNA sampling on this farm, and the transformational importance of the ‘science of shade’. We will also hear from Johan Van Ras, DairyNZ Environment Specialist, on the restorative actions you can take on farm for improved water quality.

All are warmly welcome.

Morning tea and lunch will be provided.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Our host, farm owner Tim Bonner, is in his eighth season milking 205 cows on 72 ha (eff), aiming to achieve 83,000 kg MS this season. We will hear all about his system, also:

Maximising your returns from on-farm feed

Tim runs a low input system and is driven to produce high quality pasture which is fully utilised to maximise the value he gains from it. He also grows a chicory crop to help fill summer feed deficits. Nev Giddy, Farm Source, will talk about how to manage pastures so they produce at their best and handle the stresses summer brings. He will also cover how to integrate summer crops to best advantage so they meet your herd’s feed demands.

Lessons for us all from wearables data

Tim is into his third season of using Halter. So far it has helped with his heat detection, his pasture utilisation has improved, and it has saved him valuable time. However, you don’t need to invest in wearables technology to benefit. Krispin Kannan, VetEnt, has been analysing the data wearables produce and he will share what he has discovered; for instance, there are some interesting factors wearables have highlighted which affect reproductive success.

Free event, all welcome. Morning tea and lunch provided.

Join us at Morfield Dairies with farm owner and Agribusiness Consultant Ivan Lines and fellow consultant Allison McDonald, to explore farm system changes that will sustain profitability, while further reducing N-losses.

Responding to future needs to reduce N-losses in the Waimea catchment, Ivan and Allison have modelled different options for their milking platform and support land. Learn what these scenarios could do to reduce the businesses overall environmental footprint and its effect on profitability.

Hear from DairyNZ’s Farm Systems Specialist Ron Pellow who will give an overview of the Waimea Catchment Project and its dual focus on identifying farm system efficiencies to reduce N-losses, and opportunities to remove existing nitrate-nitrogen in the groundwater.

Join the conversation with DairyNZ Environmental Specialist Justin Kitto for details on the development of small-scale wetlands in the catchment and the latest updates in regional policy.

There will be an optional field visit to Brendon Stevens farm, where the wider catchment project with Thriving Southland has identified one of a number of potential sites for a constructed wetland to help remove nitrate-nitrogen coming through from the groundwater.

Find out more about:

• Morfield Dairies farm production system and performance
• Farm system efficiencies to reduce nitrogen losses on the milking platform and support land
• Policy updates
• The role of constructed wetlands in reducing nitrogen losses and enhancing ecosystem health in the catchment.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed

Join us on farm with Wairarapa Farm Manager Wade Hamlin, who will share how a range of technology is used across this farm on Taumata Island to increase efficiency and productivity.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Callum Eastwood will share his specialist knowledge on integrating technology and practices into a farm system, including:

• Present and future challenges
  • Decision making on technology
  • Tangible benefits
• Statistics on wearables
• Hitting the sweet spot
• Making the most of data and technology
• What are the opportunities for your farm

Farm owners, sharemilkers and decision makers interested in improving productivity and efficiency and work-life balance are encouraged to attend. Bring your questions and curiosity.

Lunch provided. No registration is required for this event.

Protect our industry – please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed

Explore how different wearable technologies and their data can play an important role in increasing on farm efficiencies around people, reproduction and animal health, for a productive workplace.

Join us on farm with farm owners Tim and Mel Rivers who will share why they have investedin the wearable technology, Halter, and what their experience has been over the past 6 months. We will also explore other wearable technologies such as Allfex which Tims has previously used, and Hamish Stratford who is currently into his second year using it.

Vetlife will share their insights around what they have learnt through the different wearable technologies that their farmers use.

If you are interested in exploring what technology could work for you and your farm, and hearing how and why farmers are using wearable technology on their farms, this event is for you.

Find out more about:

• The economics of each wearable technology and why each farmer chose a particular option.
• What changes farmers made to maximise the results and data gained from use of wearables.
• Data being extracted from the wearable and how it is being used to drive decisions. Data includes health indicators, activity levels and reproductive status.
• Other technology being used to drive workplace productivity and how you identify what is best for you and your farm

Lunch kindly sponsored by Vetlife.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Attracting staff when farming between Te Kuiti and Pio Pio has its challengers. So, Harvey and Nicola Kloeten have focused on changing their farm systems to improve labour productivity on their 600-ha property.

As well as altering milking frequency the Kloetens have adjusted their calf rearing and mating policy and invested in wearable technology to reduce labour. As a result of the changes people on this farm average a 50-hour work week, 8.3 hours/day, with all the work carried out between 7am and 5pm.

Hear from DairyNZ Senior Scientist Dawn Dalley who will share how different on farm practices and opportunities can improve workplace productivity to get the best out of your farm, cows, and staff.

Farmers that are involved in making decisions around milking frequency and staff management are encouraged to attend this event.

Find out more about:
• Different milking opportunities such as OAD, TAD or flexible milking
• Where we are at as an industry for workplace attractiveness
• Find out about DairyNZ tools that can assist on this topic, including the MilkSmart app and the Milking Time Planner

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

As farm systems continue to evolve with new challenges, understanding how to manage your farm’s environmental footprint while also maintaining profit is an important part of setting your farm business up to be future fit.

Join us on farm with Damien and Emma Groot to find out what they are doing to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining production, showcased information collated through DairyBase and Baseline. The Groots have significantly lowered their Nitrogen inputs on farm whilst maintaining strong production results.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Katrina Macintosh will discuss Damien and Emma’s Taramakau farm system and explore their environmental management decisions. She will also discuss a recently completed study that focuses on the uptake of best management practices to catchment water quality, with reference to the Inchbonnie area.

At this event we will understand what techniques and mitigations can be utilised within farming systems to limit environmental footprint whilst maintaining efficiency, production and potential profitability.

• Find out more about:
  What techniques and mitigations can be used within farming systems to limit environmental footprint whilst maintaining efficiency, production and potential profitability
• How the mitigation strategies utilised in the Inchbonnie catchment improved the water quality over a 20 year period.

Supper kindly provided by RST.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.

Explore how different wearable technologies and their data can play an important role in increasing on farm efficiencies around people, reproduction and animal health, for a productive workplace. 

Join us on farm with Fortuna Group Contract Milker Scott MacKereth who will share his drivers for investing in the wearable technology, Halter, and what his experience has been over the past 6 months.  We will also explore other wearable technologies such as AllFlex Collars with farm owner and Fortuna Group CEO Matthew Richards.

DairyNZ Senior Scientist Paul Edwards will offer insight on what to consider when investing in technology, along with trends in national technology adoption and how this is impacting workplace improvements. 

 If you are interested in exploring what technology could work for you and hearing how and why farmers are using wearable technology on their farms, this event is for you. 

Find out more about: 

• Data being extracted from the wearable and how it is being used to drive decisions. Data includes health indicators, activity levels and reproductive status. 
• The economics of each wearable technology and why each farmer chose a particular option. 
• What changes farmers  made to maximise the results and data gained from use of wearables. 
• Other technology being used to drive workplace productivity and how you identify what is best for you and your farm 

Lunch provided.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed 

Surfing For Farmers | 2024 Season Start Dates

Everything is locked and loaded for season eight.

Head to our website www.surfingforfarmers.com and get yourself registered for an epic season of surfing, unwinding and great banter beach side.

Thank you to everyone who helps makes this happen.

Bayleys Real Estate
Rabobank New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fonterra
www.jarden.co.nz
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Rural Support Trust National

Head to our website www.surfingforfarmers.com and get yourself registered for an epic season of surfing, unwinding and great banter beach side.

Thank you to everyone who helps makes this happen.

Bayleys Real Estate
Rabobank New Zealand
Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Fonterra
www.jarden.co.nz
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
Rural Support Trust National

We warmly invite all Rural Professionals in Taranaki to join the DairyNZ Regional team in New Plymouth from 9am to 12 noon.

Hear from DairyNZ Chief Executive Campbell Parker and local Rural Professionals about what's happening in the dairy industry.

More details to come, we hope to see you there.

Join us for the NZ Dairy Expo, the premier event for New Zealand dairy farmers, taking place on the 11th and 12th of February 2025 in Matamata. Featuring over 100 businesses from across the dairy industry, this event showcases the latest innovations in technology, equipment, and services tailored to dairy farming only.

With a focus on hands-on demonstrations, expert advice, and networking, the NZ Dairy Expo is your opportunity to discover new solutions that can boost farm efficiency and profitability. Farmers from across the country attend to connect with industry leaders, explore cutting-edge products, and gain insights into the future of dairy farming.

Make sure to set aside at least three hours to fully experience the event, based on feedback from last year’s attendees. Whether you’re looking for machinery, automation, effluent management solutions, or the latest in herd health, the NZ Dairy Expo has something for everyone.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Next Level, is AWDT’s six-month leadership and governance programme for women.

Designed to empower and inspire, Next Level will help you find and foster your strengths, gain clarity on your direction and break through the barriers that hold you back.

You’ll be supported by professional coaches and facilitators who understand rural life and live in your world. Connect and learn alongside other aspiring female leaders from New Zealand’s food and fibre sector and rural communities, gaining the tools and connections to influence and lead into the future.

Next Level is delivered through an innovative mix of face-to-face group modules, online individual learning, individual executive coaching and online facilitated group sessions.

Next Level, is AWDT’s six-month leadership and governance programme for women.

Designed to empower and inspire, Next Level will help you find and foster your strengths, gain clarity on your direction and break through the barriers that hold you back.

You’ll be supported by professional coaches and facilitators who understand rural life and live in your world. Connect and learn alongside other aspiring female leaders from New Zealand’s food and fibre sector and rural communities, gaining the tools and connections to influence and lead into the future.

Next Level is delivered through an innovative mix of face-to-face group modules, online individual learning, individual executive coaching and online facilitated group sessions.

Beyond the Ordinary: Navigating Challenges, Redefining Success

Hosted by Food and Fibre Centre of Vocational Excellence, this two-day event will showcase crucial projects that help address the challenges our sector faces, specifically around workforce talent, the pace of change in technology and future uncertainties. The event will feature presentations and interactive workshops, with plenty of opportunities to leverage our collective voice. 

Join us as we celebrate the outstanding talent, innovation, and determination of New Zealand's young farmers. This prestigious event showcases the best of the best, bringing together passionate individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment to the agricultural industry. We’ll witness an exciting culmination of hard work and dedication, with competitors vying for the title and the opportunity to become a role model for future generations. Be a part of this iconic event that highlights the bright future of farming in New Zealand!