In partnership with Federated Farmers of New Zealand and DairyNZ, this Contract Milking course will cover:
This free course is suitable for contract milkers or variable order sharemilkers, or dairy farmers intending to go contract milking within the next 18 months. The course includes 4 in-person workshops which will take place in Stratford on 19 Feb, 5 March, 19 March and 2 April.
This course will cover:
This free course is suitable for emerging leaders including 2IC, herd managers, and new managers. Participants will require support and guidance from on-farm seniors. The course includes a two-hour introduction online session on 19 Feb, and 4 in-person workshops held in between milkings on 26 Feb, 12 March, 26 March and 9 April.
Understanding how breeding decisions have a direct impact on productivity gains made on your farm through genetics is an important part of setting your farm up for success.
Hear from host farmer Montie Hare on strategies and practices that have worked well on his farm to improve genetic gain and the opportunities looking forward. DairyNZ Chief Science Advisor Bruce Thorrold will share insights and technical expertise from his extensive genetic gain research and work, followed by an opportunity for Q&A together with our farmer panel comprising Bruce Jensen, and Jarrod and Nikki Greenwood joining us from Whanganui.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra. Registration is required and lunch will be provided - kindly sponsored by Fonterra.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
We would like to invite you to our on-farm Open Day on Thursday 20 February 2025 at Glenrowan Farm in Matamata.
Hosted by the Afimilk team, this event is an opportunity for you to see AfiCollar cow monitoring technology firsthand and hear from local farmers Brad and Lucy Gore about how the collars are helping them in their daily dairying operations.
Event Details:
Register using the link below
https://share.hsforms.com/1VHHqjTdOSlSR0SSM2OHPTQ4vu8f
Understanding how breeding decisions have a direct impact on productivity gains made on your farm through genetics is an important part of setting your farm up for success.
Hear from sharemilkers Ximena Puig and Alvaro Luzardo on strategies and practices that have worked well on this farm to improve genetic gain and the opportunities looking forward. DairyNZ Chief Science Advisor Bruce Thorrold will share insights and technical expertise from his extensive genetic gain research and work, followed by an opportunity for Q&A.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra. Registration is required and lunch will be provided - kindly sponsored by Ecolab.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Grow your knowledge and management of pasture, crops, and supplements for a sustainable future farm system on the Coast.
DairyNZ farm systems specialist Mark Speight and Top of the South Island Area Manager Dayne Paton will discuss how to best use home grown pasture and crop for profitability and future proofing your farm system.
Find out more about:
Lunch is kindly provided by RST.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
DairyNZ Webinars are for farmers, farm advisors and researchers only. Media are asked to contact media@dairynz.co.nz for information on this topic.
DairyNZ and Fonterra are partnering together to deliver a series of community toolbox events to help ensure your farm stays future-fit, with a chance to share with other farmers.
These events are tailored to your local area and provide practical tips and advice on the current challenges farmers face, which can be easily applied to enhance your farm's profitability and sustainability.
Hear from:
We'll discuss:
Lunch kindly provided by Fonterra.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
Whether you fancy yourself as the next Picasso or prefer drawing in stickmen, grab your friends and join us for an evening of creativity whilst sipping on a tipple!
Canvas, materials and snacks are all included in the price of your ticket. BYO drinks.
Registration is essential and payment will be taken when signing up. Tickets are $25 per person.
No painting skills necessary, just have fun!
Event timing: Doors open: 6.30pm | Start: 7.00pm | Finish: 9.30pm
RSVP by: 20th February 2025
Federated Farmers invites new and existing contract milkers, share milkers and farm owners to events around the country this February.
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.
Presentations from:
• Federated Farmers – how to make calculated decisions about contracts
• DairyNZ – Dairybase & business planning calculators
• FMG – life, health & contractual insurances
Don’t miss this chance to grow your knowledge and connect with professionals in the field!
RSVP to industrysupport@fedfarm.org.nz or 0800 327 646, but we also welcome drop-ins on the day.
A Field Day in collaboration with Te Uru Rākau at the Barr’s family Farm. This is your chance to get answers to all your questions about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and dive into sector-specific discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans.
Whether you’re looking to better understand compliance, improve environmental outcomes, or connect with industry experts, this event is for you.
Lunch will be provided.
We would like to invite you to our on-farm Open Day on Tuesday 25 February 2025 at the Netherland Holdings farm, Rangiora Canterbury.
Hosted by the Afimilk team, this event is an opportunity for you to see AfiCollar cow monitoring technology firsthand and hear from the Wobben's about how the collars are helping them in their daily dairying operations.
Event Details:
Register to attend using the link below
https://share.hsforms.com/1nl1TXNHZRtS29qQHmEn86g4vu8f
High BW sires drive 90% of genetic gain. By improving reproductive performance of the herd, you can increase the rate of genetic gain by improving selection pressure on replacements and cull cows.
Hear from farm owners Marty and Jo Ashby and sharemilker Ollie Ashby who will discuss their farm system and practises that have allowed them to almost double their rate of genetic gain in the last 5 years.
DairyNZ scientist Rhiannon Handcock will provide independent technical expertise on breeding and genetics and provide an insight to the work of NZAEL in progressing genetic gain.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source. Registrations are essential.
Understanding how breeding decisions have a direct impact on productivity gains made on your farm through genetics is an important part of setting your farm up for success.
Hear from BEL Group's Farm Manager Cyril Bowman on what has worked well on this farm in terms of genetic gain and what the opportunities are looking forward. DairyNZ Senior Scientist Chris Burke will share insights and technical expertise from his extensive genetic gain research and work, followed by an opportunity for Q&A
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra. Registration is required and lunch will be provided - kindly sponsored by Fonterra.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Build your understanding of how different on farm practices support increased productivity and efficiency on farm, for an engaged farm team and a workplace that’s more attractive for staff.
Training new staff takes time and money, which can place a significant impact on workplace productivity
Learn and share from other farmers attending and gain tips and strategies for retaining and motivating your farm team
Bring your farm team along for an interactive session and enjoy a BBQ lunch kindly sponsored by FarmSource Gore.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
DairyNZ Webinars are for farmers, farm advisors and researchers only. Media are asked to contact media@dairynz.co.nz for information on this topic.
A Field Day in collaboration with Te Uru Rākau at Osbourne’s Farm. This is your chance to get answers to all your questions about the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and dive into sector-specific discussions on greenhouse gas (GHG) management plans.
Whether you’re looking to better understand compliance, improve environmental outcomes, or connect with industry experts, this event is for you.
Lunch will be provided.
This course will cover:
This free course is suitable for managers, self-employed or those considering self-employment. The course includes three in-person classes on 26 Feb, 11 March and 25 March.
We would like to invite you to our on-farm Open Day on Wednesday 26 February 2025 at the Drought Farm, Hūkerenui Northland.
Hosted by the Afimilk team, this event is an opportunity for you to see AfiCollar cow monitoring technology firsthand and hear from Hannah and Jaiden about how the collars are helping them in their daily dairying operations.
Event Details:
To register use the link below.
https://share.hsforms.com/1R3tkFY2NQjCGMcK4LID2Qg4vu8f
DairyNZ and Fonterra are partnering together to deliver a series of community toolbox events to help ensure your farm stays future-fit, with a chance to share with other farmers.
These events are tailored to your local area and provide practical tips and advice on the current challenges farmers face, which can be easily applied to enhance your farm's profitability and sustainability.
Hear from DairyNZ Senior Area Manager Leah Prankerd and Fonterra who will discuss drying off, culling and body condition scoring.
Lunch kindly provided by Fonterra.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
Unlock the potential of international talent from the UK & Ireland
Join Abi Swaffield, Paula Syben and Andre Syben from AG Work as they help inform and educate you on the benefits, process and costs of employing dairy staff from the UK and Ireland.
AG Work NZ offers a matchmaking service to source suitable overseas staff bespoke to each employer. They have valued links between the main Agricultural Universities and Colleges, and a large network of social media and young farmers connections to fulfil roles.
This webinar will cover:
This webinar is brought to you by Dairy Women's Network and Ag Work
Join together with Dairy Women's Network Mid-South Canterbury for a social walk and talk.
Meet at The Lake House restaurant car park at Lake Hood. Anyone who wants to can grab a coffee from the restaurant and we'll aim to start walking the Lake Hood loop at 10:30am.
This is your chance to catch up after the silly season and look ahead to the new year, while enjoying the last of whatever the Summer weather decides to offer us that day! (We will go ahead regardless of weather)
There is no cost to attend this event. Food and beverages are available at The Lake House at your own expense.
Timing: Starts 10.30am | Finishes around 12pm
Understand how reproductive performance improvements drive faster rates of genetic gain and can improve profitability and efficiency of farm systems. Learn how this is important to support your farm business success.
See how Craig and Hannah Fulton operate their farm system to consistently sit among the top farms for profitability in Canterbury. Hear how genetic gain on their farm fits into their system, and what they are doing to maintain efficiency in their operation.
DairyNZ scientist Rhiannon Handcock will provide independent technical expertise on breeding and genetics and provide an insight to the work of NZAEL in progressing genetic gain.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch kindly provided by Fonterra. Registrations are essential.
DairyNZ and Fonterra are partnering together to deliver a series of community toolbox events to help ensure your farm stays future-fit, with a chance to share with other farmers.
These events are tailored to your local area and provide practical tips and advice on the current challenges farmers face, which can be easily applied to enhance your farm's profitability and sustainability.
Hear from DairyNZ Senior Area Manager, Leah Prankerd and Fonterra who will discuss drying off options including culling and body condition scoring.
Lunch kindly provided by Fonterra.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
DairyNZ Webinars are for farmers, farm advisors and researchers only. Media are asked to contact media@dairynz.co.nz for information on this topic.
Understanding how reproductive performance improvements drives faster rates of genetic gain can improve profitability and efficiency of farm systems is important to support your farm business success.
Hear from sharemilkers Kerry and Aimee Burt on how reproductive performance is a key part of driving a successful business across two farms. Now in their fifth season sharemilking, we will hear their insights into how they have improved their genetic gain and on farm efficiencies.
DairyNZ scientist Rhiannon Handcock will provide independent technical expertise on breeding and genetics and provide an insight to the work of NZAEL in progressing genetic gain.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source. Registrations are essential.
In October 2024 at our AGM, farmers were provided early notice by the DairyNZ Board that we need to raise the milksolids levy from next season to potentially accelerate our ability to meet emerging opportunities and challenges and to ensure financial sustainability.
Consultation is now open, and we are seeking feedback on the preferred rate to enable the DairyNZ Board to make a decision.
Your feedback matters. To help you provide feedback about which rate you support, this is your opportunity to talk to the DairyNZ Board Directors and Management about the proposal.
Tawera Nikau NZOM is a true legend of NZ sport. One of our finest ever Rugby League Internationals who has faced phenomenal life challenges. His story is one of empowerment, mental strength, leadership and true human spirit in the face of adversity.
Are you considering a Contract Milking opportunity, or are already a Contract Milker?
This two-part webinar series is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how Contract Milking can work for your farming business and help you progress in the dairy industry. Whether you're exploring new opportunities or looking to improve your current position, this session will equip you with the ins and outs of being a Contract Milker and what you need to consider.
Join the team at CMK as they cover part 1 key topics, including:
- What is Contract Milking? An overview of the model and how it works
- Benefits of Contract Milking: Why this approach might be right for your business
- Key Considerations: What to think about before taking on a new position
- Contract Milking Agreements: The importance of these and what to consider
This two-part webinar series is an opportunity to learn about the essentials of Contract Milking, and help set your farming business up for long-term success in the industry.
This webinar is brought to you by Dairy Women's Network and CMK Chartered Accountants
Join us to hear from people who have successfully made their farm ownership dream a reality and learn practical strategies to help you follow in their footsteps. This day is also for people at the other end of their career who want to investigate effective strategies for exiting their farm business and learn how they can support the next generation of farm owners.
Discover how changes in the industry have influenced farm career opportunities from Fergal O’Gara, Ashton Wheelers. Plus the critical financial measures you should focus on and what they indicate, how people build equity, and the different methods farmers use to purchase or sell farms.
We will look into how you value a farm’s worth with Anna Hart, Property Brokers. We will also look into the pitfalls to avoid and the farming opportunities New Zealand’s different regions offer.
SMASH has been talking to farmers and rural professionals nationwide to learn more about how people are successfully progressing into farm ownership, tackling challenges, and the types of arrangements farmers use to buy or sell farms. We will share the results.
We are going to hear from farmers who are well on their way to buying a farm, have recently purchased one, or have come up with an innovative way of exiting farm ownership. They will share how they achieved their goal, the steps they took, how they built up their equity, or how they developed their exit strategy.
Free event, all welcome. Morning tea and lunch provided.
We would like to invite you to our on-farm Open Day on Tuesday 4 March 2025 at Murray Creek in Southland
Hosted by the Afimilk team, this event is an opportunity for you to see AfiCollar cow monitoring technology firsthand and hear from farmers Jason and Sandy Herrick about how the collars are helping them in their daily dairying operations.
Event Details:
Understanding how reproductive performance improvements drives faster rates of genetic gain can improve profitability and efficiency of farm systems is important to support your farm business success.
From building his first herd from over a dozen different herds, Stuart now has a herd with a breeding worth in the top 12% in NZ and his herd has lifted 37 BW and 44 PW in the last five years. His reproduction management programme focuses on simple and repeatable systems that generate good results and that have halved his herd wastage in the past three years.
Hear from Rachel Bloxham, Herd Improvement Technical Manager at LIC. She leads a team ensuring the results of LIC's genomic evaluation system is accessible for farmers and provides insights to promote genetic gain on-farm.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source. Registrations are essentials.
Understanding how reproductive performance improvements drives faster rates of genetic gain, can improve profitability and efficiency of farm systems and is important to support your farm business success.
Come along to hear from farm owners Andrew and Catherine McGregor on how they have changed their breeding policy to include higher levels of sexed semen and introducing more beef into the system.
Find out more about:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Placeholder - event details to come.
Register and turn up to an event near you for a CRV prize pack!
Register now to save your spot. Let’s talk better herds
Understanding how breeding decisions have a direct impact on productivity gains made on your farm through genetics is an important part of setting your farm up for success.
Hear from and discuss with farmers Ed and Liz Grayling about how they achieve excellent reproductive results with faster genetic gain. Ed will demonstrate the efficiency of his high BW cows in converting feed into milk and explain his strategies for improving genetic gain in order to increase his profitability.
Join DairyNZ experts Andrew Fear and Fonterra area manager Nick Andree Wiltens to learn about why genetic gain and reproductive performance matters, how to achieve genetic gain, and where genetic gain is going in the future.
Find out more about:
• Actions you can take to enhance your breeding programme
• The future of genetic gain, including updates to the NZ Animal Evaluation system
• How genetic gain impacts reproductive performance and on farm productivity
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch will be provided.
Registrations essential. Register today.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
High BW sires drive 90% of genetic gain. By improving reproductive performance of the herd, you can increase the rate of genetic gain by improving selection pressure on replacements and cull cows.
Join us alongside host farmers Tania Riddington and Tim Murdoch to hear about their strategies for herd improvement which has put them in the top 3% for BW and top 1% for PW nationally and is a key driver in their business success.
DairyNZ senior scientist Chris Burke will also share insights and technical expertise from his extensive reproduction research and work, followed by an opportunity for Q&A.
Find out more about:
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source. Registrations are essential.
Join us to hear from people who have successfully made their farm ownership dream a reality and learn practical strategies to help you follow in their footsteps.
This day is also for people at the other end of their career who want to investigate effective strategies for exiting their farm business and learn how they can support the next generation of farm owners.
Discover how changes in the industry have influenced farm career opportunities from Amanda Morris, Hammond Davidson. Plus the critical financial measures you should focus on and what they indicate, how people build equity, and the different methods farmers use to purchase or sell farms.
We will look into how you value a farm’s worth with Robin Greer, PGG Wrightson. We will also look into the pitfalls to avoid and the farming opportunities New Zealand’s different regions offer.
SMASH has been talking to farmers and rural professionals nationwide to learn more about how people are successfully progressing into farm ownership, tackling challenges, and the types of arrangements farmers use to buy or sell farms. We will share the results.
We are going to hear from farmers who are well on their way to buying a farm, have recently purchased one, or have come up with an innovative way of exiting farm ownership. They will share how they achieved their goal, the steps they took, how they built up their equity, or how they developed their exit strategy.
Free event, all welcome. Morning tea and lunch provided.
This course will cover:
This free course is suitable for managers, self-employed or those considering self-employment. The course includes three in-person classes on 6 March, 20 March and 3 April.
Register and turn up to an event near you for a CRV prize pack!
Register now to save your spot. Let’s talk better herds
High BW sires drive 90% of genetic gain. By improving reproductive performance of the herd, you can increase the rate of genetic gain by improving selection pressure on replacements and cull cows.
Hear from host farmers Neil, Glenda and Teagan Gray about their interest in data and improving their herd’s efficiency with this information. Discuss how access to good data can be useful to improve productivity through genetics, and the simple steps you can take to make good decisions about reproduction.
Join DairyNZ Senior Scientist Susanne Meier alongside experts from Fonterra and LIC to discuss how to make good decisions about reproduction on farm to drive profit. Learn about the principles and strategies that are useful to improve your herd’s BW through reproductive performance.
Find out more about:
• The future of genetic gain, including updates to the NZ Animal Evaluation system
• Actions you can take to enhance your breeding program
• An opportunity to ask questions of our experts and host farmers
• DairyNZ key tools and resources that can assist on this topic, including bull search, InCalf reproduction gap calculator and animal and herd averages
This is event is brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Fonterra.
Lunch will be provided.
Registrations essential. Register today.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.