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 Dutch Method.
The workshop has 5 online learning modules totalling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch, and refreshments.
Planning is the key to managing a dry summer. In this roadshow event we'll look at ways to manage through the dry on farm.
What are the chances of getting a repeat of last summer’s rainfall? During most Waikato summers we see a few weeks of hot, dry conditions reducing pasture growth. With the forecast El Niño climate pattern, the chances of a longer, dryer summer spell increases. This will put extra pressure on pasture, stock, people and profit.
Farms backed by strong plans, good processes, and happy teams will do better during challenging times.
During the Sizzling Summer Roadshow you will learn:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Curious? Come and see what can be achieved
The Piroa Conservation Trust is working towards improving water quality in the Waipu River and catchment. Come along to see and discuss the wetland Graham has constructed and learn more about the project.
What Milking Frequency will you consider after Xmas and how do you get the best value from your choice?
There's been plenty of interest in flexible milking strategies lately; with a lower forecast milk price this season, farmers are asking “Is this the year to give it a try?”
16 hours, 10-in-7, 3-in-2, Once A Day and even Max T. There's a range of options, come along, catch up on the science, hear farmer experience and share ideas on how you can spend less time in the cowshed this summer.
We'll be recapping the research on flexible milking strategies and hearing from local farmers who've used flexible milking - What's the milk production cost? When should you make the switch? What's the impact on people and cows? How do you make the rosters work? What happens with SCC and mastitis? Bring your questions, or if you've tried flexible milking come along and share your experiences.
Come along to the Field Day – we’ll be hosted by David Curley who will be sharing their experiences.
Everyone welcome.
BBQ lunch to finish up thanks to Westpac.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us for the last catch up before the festive season and a discussion on preparing for the summer months ahead
This month we'll be visiting the Grayling's farm to chat about preparing for the summer ahead.
What are the chances of getting a repeat of last summer’s rainfall? During most Waikato summers we see a few weeks of hot, dry conditions reducing pasture growth. With the forecast El Niño climate pattern, the chances of a longer, dryer summer spell increases. This will put extra pressure on pasture, stock, people and profit.
Farms backed by strong plans, good processes, and happy teams will do better during challenging times.
Topics covered:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of diseases, pests or weeds.
Alternative pasture species, reducing N use and more milk from fewer cows.
Peter, Sharon and Ben milk 220 cows OAD all season on 83 ha with 60 ha irrigated. Target production is 360 per cow from low supplement use. They focus on production from pasture with a low environmental impact.
Discussion topics will include:
Bring the whole team along to join in the discussion.
Lunch kindly provided by ANZ.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come hear from Pita Alexander, well-known farm accountant and rural commentator.
Pita will share his impressions about the current industry climate and the actions he believes farmers should take to adapt and ensure they weather the challenges.
More about Pita:
Pita has owned his specialist farm accounting practice for many years and has supported dairy farmers through the many highs and lows they and the industry have experienced.
In 1990 he received both Lincoln University’s Bledisloe Medal, which is awarded to outstanding former students for their contribution to New Zealand agriculture, and the Commonwealth Medal for Services to Agriculture. In 2010 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of New Zealand (ONZM) for Services to Agriculture.
Free event, all welcome. Supper provided.
Check out a heifer grazing and supplement block
Simon Bailey has invited us to check out the new block he is utilising for heifer grazing and supplement to support the dairy farm.
Topics:
Lunch thanks to Taranaki Vet Centre
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
This will be a chance to review how the Regen system has progressed
The key focus will be on how the farm system is going and what happened with the Regen system. It will also be a chance to socialise and catch up before Christmas. Everyone welcome - bring your neighbour!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
What Milking Frequency will you consider after Xmas and how do you get the best value from your choice?
There's been plenty of interest in flexible milking strategies lately; with a lower forecast milk price this season, farmers are asking “Is this the year to give it a try?”
16 hours, 10-in-7, 3-in-2, Once A Day and even Max T. There's a range of options, come along, catch up on the science, hear farmer experience and share ideas on how you can spend less time in the cowshed this summer.
We'll be recapping the research on flexible milking strategies and hearing from local farmers who've used flexible milking - What's the milk production cost? When should you make the switch? What's the impact on people and cows? How do you make the rosters work? What happens with SCC and mastitis? Bring your questions, or if you've tried flexible milking come along and share your experiences.
Come along to the Field Day – we’ll be hosted by Jono and Kelly Bain and joined by Blake Korteweg who will be sharing their experiences.
Everyone welcome.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
An exciting opportunity to tour the Barenbrug Research Site and hear from the experts working there. We'll also discuss how to prepare for the summer ahead.
This month we will be visiting the Barenbrug Kaipaki Research Site just out of Cambridge. This site is used for testing the latest Italian, hybrid and perennial ryegrass, cocksfoot, as well as red and white clovers coming from the Barenburug breeding team in Christchurch. A lot of plant breeding work is also going on at the site.
Jen Corkran, along with some of the R&D agronomists from Barenbrug will give us a tour of the site. We'll discuss:
Jen will also talk about how to best achieve pasture persistence in this challenging climate of the upper North Island, and how the proprietary seed companies in NZ are including this in their work.
We'll also have a chat about the season to date and setting up for the summer.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Hear from Pita Alexander, well-known farm accountant and rural commentator & Kim Robinson, local well-known agribusiness consultant
Pita will share his impressions about the current industry climate and the actions he believes farmers should take to adapt and ensure they weather the challenges.
Kim will speak about the situation AgFirst are seeing on farm and Northland.
This is a free event, registration required! Full event information and to book your free ticket, click HERE.
Come hear from Pita Alexander, well-known farm accountant and rural commentator, and Kim Robinson, AgFirst.
Pita will share his impressions about the current industry climate and the actions he believes farmers should take to adapt and ensure they weather the challenges. Kim will share her observations about the conditions in Northland, NDDT’s perspective, and how local farmers are responding to the financial pressures.
More about Pita:
Pita has owned his specialist farm accounting practice for many years and has supported dairy farmers through the many highs and lows they and the industry have experienced.
In 1990 he received both Lincoln University’s Bledisloe Medal, which is awarded to outstanding former students for their contribution to New Zealand agriculture, and the Commonwealth Medal for Services to Agriculture. In 2010 he was appointed an Officer of the Order of New Zealand (ONZM) for Services to Agriculture.
Free event, all welcome. Supper provided.
Join us to hear about Haydn and Bex Langton's environmental and profit journey
Haydn and Bex Langton are opening their farm gates to showcase the amazing work they have been doing. As a partner farm of the Dairy Trust Taranaki Step Change programme (Gibson farm, Hawera), the team have been supporting Bex and Haydn to work towards increasing profitability, while improving their environmental footprint.
Haydn and Bex's farm has 3500+mm rainfall each year making it difficult to find enough suitable days to spread dairy effluent on their property. Haydn has built a filtering wetland that is helping with his effluent spreading and storage issues. Make sure you come along to check this out.
The farm is an efficient dairy farm at high altitude. The farm also has some forestry (pines) and native bush land. These trees are complimenting the dairy farm and as a whole. We will be discussing the emissions from their farm and how this has impacted their business.
This Step Change project has allowed Haydn and Bex to model potential changes to their system and see the outcome (profit, emissions, etc), which will be showcased on the day.
Come along to hear about Haydn and Bex's journey.
Please register for catering purposes by Friday 24 November via the button above.
Lunch kindly provided by Dairy Trust Taranaki
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Want to get that ideal job landed for next season?
Whether it’s your next Sharemilker or Farm Assistant position, come along to this workshop to get tips and tricks to become the most attractive candidate.
The workshop will involve:
Feel free to bring your own CV and cover letter and we can give you some feedback.
Look forward to seeing you there!
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.
Improve your milking efficiencies with MilkSmart
The first step to milking smarter is an efficient milking routine, and DairyNZ’s MilkSmart tool can support you to do this.
Learn more about the small changes you can make at milking times for significantly improving efficiency, milk quality and farm profitability, at this event delivered by Dairy Training Ltd, suitable for all dairy farmers.
This event will cover:
Hear from local farmers using different wearable tech
Is wearable technology on your wishlist for Christmas? Come along to hear from local farmers about the pros and cons of different wearable herd tech that are currently on the market.
Danny and Bruce Warren are kindly hosting us for our Christmas group. We will be having the group in their new herringbone cowshed - we'll have a look at the tech they have installed and how that intergrates with their Nedap (Waikato) cow collars.
We will also hear from local farmers who have invested in different wearable technology to share their experience and learnings from the tech.
Greg from FIL is kindly providing lunch and Kelsey from Farm Source is kindly providing the BBQ.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
.. with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on farm with Mike and Kathy Hughes-Long. We'll talk about the first part of the season and how we are looking forward to the New Year. Other topics we'll cover:
Looking forward to seeing you all there - everyone welcome!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Prepare for Success - achieving success in your Contract Milking business
Thanks to industry supporters this free, one-day event will cover three practical workshops:
Tools to help you find the right contract and make the right decision - DairyNZ Contract Milker Calculator, Agrifocus and Westpac Budgeting Tools, Federated Farmers Contract Milker agreements
Lead in 100 days and starting 100 days - understanding what you need to prepare for before starting the contract and what to expect in the first 100 days is vital to get you off on the right foot
People/Team/Relationships – learn how the Farm Owner and Contract Milker need to work together plus understand how to recruit, on board and create a team
Come along to find out what you need to know to advance your career. Listen to experts and network with like-minded people. Chat with representatives of DairyNZ, FMG, Agrifocus, Westpac, Meridian, Federated Farmers, PaySauce, Farm Source over lunch which is kindly sponsored by FMG.
Registrations essential and close Friday 1 December.
Drivers for success from spring into summer
This time we will be hosted by Ross and Chris Rathgen at St Andrews Dairies. Manager Ren and the experienced team work with Chris and overseer Jeff Gould to put the animals first and keep the pasture on track.
At this group we will be focussing on pasture management through a potentially dry summer:
Hope to see you all there to share your systems and hear about how the Rathgen's manage their pasture through this period.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
This is a closed group.
Set up for Share Farmers to upskill, network and benchmark with peers at a similar stage in their farming career.
If you wish to know more about this group, please make contact using the details provided.
Jeff and Petri are farming a once a day, regenerative system with Halter technology
Jeff and Petri Bellamy invite us to deep dive into their system utilising Halter technology, regenerative farming techniques and once a day milking.
Topics:
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
First season contract milkers Emma and Alex are working with new farm owners Kevin and Kyla and their enthusiasm is infectious.
Having previously managed herds in Australia and Marlborough they are enjoying their first opportunity to run their own business. Their focus is on having happy, healthy cows and are on target to produce 430 MS per cow from pasture plus summer crop and baleage during the summer.
Discussion topics will include:
Bring the whole team along as there will be venison steaks for lunch
Lunch kindly provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Foward focus on Youngstock
As our last meeting for the year, we will try and add a little bit of Christmas to the occasion!
A big thank you to Scott Lloyd who manages one of three drystock blocks for Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani Incorporation.
As we go around the farm, we will have a look at stock, some work that's been done from an environmental perspective and the general lay of the land. We will be taking a closer look at how Scott looks after their heifers including the animal health program.
Digging deeper into the question, what is the best animal health program for youngstock? Let's discuss this in more detail soon.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Summer managment plans and creating a great work environment
Come and see how the season has been going for Tessa and Cam.
Today we will cover:
Lunch and beer will be provided by Datamars to welcome the festive season.
Come along, bring the team - we look forward to seeing everyone!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
When should we go once a day or variable milking - what are the options and what's best practice?
Aiden and Tash are 50/50 sharemilkers who have a lot of experience in previous summer dry areas - what do they do, when and how?
We will also discuss the potential summer dry, with tools and options, and include budgetary considerations.
Come along and wish your neighbours Happy Christmas!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of diseases, pests or weeds.
Christmas get together - come kick off the gumboots!
With the festive season around the corner, it is time to take a well-deserved break.
Come join Bart and Vanessa on our host farm for a relaxing day where we will chew the fat and also have a look around the farm. There is no formal agenda but rather an opportunity for us to socialize with each other after a busy season so far.
Also bring along your family, as well as your staff and their families.
Lunch and soft drinks will be supplied.
See you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Want to get that ideal job landed for next season?
Whether it’s your next Sharemilker or Farm Assistant position, come along to this workshop to get tips and tricks to become the most attractive candidate.
The workshop will involve:
Feel free to bring your own CV and cover letter and we can give you some feedback.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Want to get that ideal job landed for next season?
Whether it’s your next Sharemilker or Farm Assistant position, come along to this workshop to get tips and tricks to become the most attractive candidate.
The workshop will involve:
Feel free to bring your own CV and cover letter and we can give you some feedback.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Have your say.
Have your say.
The recently released draft NRC freshwater plan change could have a large and long-lasting impact on how we farm in Northland.
We have reached out to NRC to present to dairy farmers what is in the draft plan, and why. This is specific to Northland Dairy farmers and will be a chance to hear from the people behind the plan, and to ask questions.
Follow the link provided to register.
https://dairynz.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ebUENO30QCCgAEtpmxWm9Q
For more information about the draft plan, you can visit https://www.dairynz.co.nz/.../have-your-say-on-proposed.../
Improve your milking efficiencies with MilkSmart
The first step to milking smarter is an efficient milking routine, and DairyNZ’s MilkSmart tool can support you to do this.
Learn more about the small changes you can make at milking times for significantly improving efficiency, milk quality and farm profitability, at this event delivered by Dairy Training Ltd, suitable for all dairy farmers.
This event will cover:
Setting up for Summer - Sharing tips and Ideas for managing the dry this season, Effluent Update,
We are catching up with Chris and Sandra Campbell to discuss setting up for summer, their experiences with the new effluent consent and chatting about reducing emissions on the farm. More details to follow
We are meeting at the shed - Blaikie Rd, Clifton S/N 38188
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Get a plan for your effluent system sorted at the Effluent Expo. Find out about the rules and regulations when it comes to effluent storage and application, and connect with service providers who can help you work out what's best for your farm.
Delivered in collaboration with HADES, the Effluent Expo is a chance to find out what you need to upgrade or install a new effluent system that is compliant and fit-for-purpose.
The event will start with a brief introduction and update about the HADES project.
We'll hear from Taranaki Regional Council around their rules and regulations in regards to effluent storage and application.
Following this, effluent service providers will be available to chat through your farm's effluent needs. There will be plenty of vendors to answer your questions and to help you along your farm's effluent journey.
Lunch will also be provided.
Register via the button above
... with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on farm for this Christmas catchup with Lloyd! While this is a relaxed, social group, our main topic will be growing more grass and we will be covering El Nino preparedness with the MPI On-Farm Support Team. We'll make time for a social catchup at the end – BBQ lunch provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Practical Health and Safety
Hear directly from WorkSafe about how you can master Health and Safety management on your farm.
WorkSafe’s Operational Lead Vaughan Maaka will lead us through this workshop.
Bring along all your questions – this workshop is for ideal for anyone who holds any level of leadership role on farm.
Please register to attend.
Lunch thanks to Synlait.
Drivers for success from spring into summer and introducing our South Canterbury Sustainable Catchments Programme.
In this session we will be focussing on demand management through the summer:
In the second half of the group, we will hear about the South Canterbury Sustainable Catchments programme which is working with Riverton Dairies as a partner farms to identify viable options and demonstrate progress to reduce farm N losses while meeting farm business goals and obligations.
We will hear from Riverton Dairies and their farm consultant Jeremy Savage, who is modelling the scenarios, about the different changes they are looking at.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Xmas special!
Xmas special!
This will be our last group of the year. Come along to Mathew and Lynette's to catch up with local farmers and discuss the topics that matter to your business.
Heading into summer we will be looking at:
We will be looking to have a social aspect to the group, with lunch and refreshments included. Come along, bring a neighbor, and enjoy!
... with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on-farm with Josh (CM) and the team for our end of year Christmas group. Though a relaxed, social group, we will look to get out on farm and have a look around and hear from Josh about his first season so far in the area.
Topics will be updated closer to the time.
Lunch will be provided, kindly sponsored by CRV! This event is open to all farmers and rural professionals, so bring your neighbour and we will see you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Join us for the final catch up of the year at Ross and Tracey's
Catch up at Ross and Tracey's and we will look at:
Social lunch and refreshments provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Want to get that ideal job landed for next season?
Whether it’s your next Sharemilker or Farm Assistant position, come along to this workshop to get tips and tricks to become the most attractive candidate.
The workshop will involve:
Feel free to bring your own CV and cover letter and we can give you some feedback.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday 6 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $30.00
Event Timings:
Start – 12.00pm
Finish – 2.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
Wednesday 6 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $30.00
Event Timings:
Start – 12.00pm
Finish – 2.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
Hear from NZAEL and industry partners about the changes being made to BW in December
In the December Animal Evaluation (AE) run, New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited (NZAEL) will be implementing two key improvements which may change your animals' Breeding Worth (BW).
During this event you'll hear from NZAEL Manager, Andrew Fear, NZAEL Quantitative Geneticist, Dr Melissa Stephen, and Bruno Santos of AbacusBio. They'll discuss:
Join Pāmu and partners for the latest on our dairy beef integration journey.
DAIRY BEEF GENETICS | FORAGE & FINISHING | CALF REARING SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIAL LICENCE AND FINANCE
Presenters include Pāmu CE Mark Leslie, Pāmu COO Will Burrett, Pāmu Dairy Business Manager Sam Bunny, Pāmu Head of Farming - Dairy Shaun Neeley, Pāmu Head of Sustainability Sam Bridgman | Focus Genetics: Dr Rebecca Hickson | AgFirst Bob Thomson | Massey University Nick Sneddon | Farmlands Karen Fraser | LIC Paul Charteris | Silver Fern Farms Melissa Sowden.
With thanks to our sponsors LIC, Fonterra Farmsource, and Silver Fern Farms.
Please register to attend, and bring clean boots and hi-viz.
Thursday 7 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $15.00
Event Timings:
Start – 10.00am
Finish – 12.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
Setting up for summer on and off the farm
Alaister, Jo and Kody Murdoch are kindly hosting us for our Christmas group.
We will be discussing how they set up for summer being right on the coast with sandy soils. We will also learn from others how they use round lengths, crops, milking frequency, and culling to make sure they are able to get through the summer.
Mike Green from Rural Support Trust Taranaki will also be there to explain what support is available for farmers and their families in Taranaki. Looking after yourself is an important part of farming!
Mark Hicks and the Taranaki Vet Centre team are kindly providing our christmas lunch!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm as we head towards the holidays
Join us on farm for this Christmas catchup with Sharemilker Zoe! We'll have some great on-farm topics, including El Nino preparedness with the MPI On-Farm Support Team. We'll make time for a social catchup too – BBQ lunch provided.
Come along - bring your neighbour too!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Setting up for Summer and other seasonal topics
Matt Paul is hosting us on Peter Horne's Dairy Farm. Matt is keen for your ideas as he looks ahead to 50% sharemilking - is it better for sharemilkers to look at high or low input farming systems? Mark Olsen-Vetland from LIC Farmwise will be giving us his thoughts and we're keen to get your thoughts. Also - Bulls vs 100% AI what's the best option?
We'll also be discussing setting up for summer and other seasonal issues, as well as having a pre-Christmas catch up.
BBQ lunch supplied by Dave Urqhart (IXOM)
We are meeting at the wintering barn (SN)38445, 37 Marshall Rd West
Looking foward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
The day will have a focus on Young Stock and Summer planning followed by a social time
The topics for the day will be:
Young Stock:
Summer Plans
Social Catch up: Food and Drinks
Planning is the key to managing a dry summer
The last group for the calendar year where we will look forward to the options for managing summer.
During most Waikato summers we see a few weeks of hot, dry conditions reducing pasture growth. With the forecast El Niño climate pattern, the chances of a longer, dryer summer spell increases.
This will put extra pressure on pasture, stock, people and profit.
Farms backed by strong plans, good processes, and happy teams will do better during challenging times.
Lunch, drinks and a social catchup provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us for Christmas Catch Up with Bryce and Belinda
Join us at Bryce and Belinda's as we consider:
Social catch-up, quiz, lunch and refreshments
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Targeting 500 MS/cow by dropping numbers and using technology to refine repro performance.
Derek and Michele are in their second season sharemilking for David and Jane Field near Murchison. They have reduced cow numbers by 10% and have a medium term target of 500 MS per cow. They have also delayed planned start of calving and are aiming to tighten the calving pattern through the use of technology and the strategic use of genetic information.
Discussion topics will include:
Bring the whole team along and join the discussion
Lunch kindly provided by Farmsource.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm with Peter and the team
Join us with Peter and the Ag Challenge team for our end of year Christmas group. This will be a relaxed, social group to wind down after another busy first half of the season.
Topics will be updated closer to the time.
This event is open to all farmers and rural professionals, so bring your neighbour and we will see you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Planning for a dry summer - how to manage through the dry on farm. We'll also check out the installed water system on farm and the impact its had on water quality.
Come join us on our host farm for an interesting day covering a variety of topics.
What are the chances of getting a repeat of last summer’s rainfall? During most Waikato summers we see a few weeks of hot, dry conditions reducing pasture growth. With the forecast El Niño climate pattern, the chances of a longer, dryer summer spell increases. This will put extra pressure on pasture, stock, people and profit.
Farms backed by strong plans, good processes, and happy teams will do better during challenging times.
We'll cover:
We will also have a look at the impressive water system installed ensuring water quality at all times.
Come along to catch up on the season so far and also to chew the fat on everything and anything.
This will also be our Christmas get together so join us for a sponsored lunch.
See you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Want to get that ideal job landed for next season?
Whether it’s your next Sharemilker or Farm Assistant position, come along to this workshop to get tips and tricks to become the most attractive candidate.
The workshop will involve:
Feel free to bring your own CV and cover letter and we can give you some feedback.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Thursday 7 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $30.00
Event Timings:
Start – 12.00pm
Finish – 2.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
Come along and connect with your neighbours as we discuss farm systems while we head into the summer.
Following on from a discussion in February, local farmers are keen to get together in a small group to discuss topics relevent to the Totara Valley and surrounding areas.
In this informal session we will begin by discussing topics at the front of your minds as we head into a potentially dry summer, this may include:
For the main body of the session we will we working with your Fonterra Sustainable Dairy Advisor, Hannah Rooney, and our Fonterra Insights Reports to see how we can use the information to identify areas for improvement on farm.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
See you at the last group for 2023!
Come and hear how a few tweaks to the system have this farm making more milk with similar inputs, have improved incalf rates after being affected by poor semen, and have a super low SSC.
BBQ will be provided on the day thanks to Webster Farming Ltd.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Understanding our emissions hoofprint and identifying the on-farm levers that can be used to improve the sustainability of our milk produced from pasture, are two important business drivers as we look towards 2030.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical Taranaki solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability.
So let’s do this together Taranaki.
Join DairyNZ, Farm Source, and Dairy Trust Taranaki for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
We'll delve into:
Hear from:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Taranaki farmers.
Register for catering purposes here
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Friday 8 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $30.00
Event Timings:
Start – 11.30am
Finish – 2.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
A chance to catch up and socialise before Christmas
This will be a social group to wind down before Christmas and talk about how 2023 unfolded for us all and what opportunities lie in wait for 2024.
See you there!
Come along to relax and unwind with a great bunch of women at the beautiful Ribblesdale Gardens.
Enjoy an afternoon high-tea with delicious treats from Queenie’s Delight and mocktail refreshments.
We will also hear local Wendy Gerritsen’s story about battling ovarian cancer and learn what to look out for that may help you, a friend, or family member.
This is Selwyn-North Canterbury’s last event for the year, so let’s start the summer in pretty frocks and classy outfits.
Event Timing: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Cost: $30.00 p.p
RSVP: 29 November
Understanding our emissions hoofprint and identifying the on-farm levers that can be used to improve the sustainability of our milk produced from pasture, are two important business drivers as we look towards 2030.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical Taranaki solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability.
So let’s do this together Taranaki.
Join DairyNZ, Farm Source, and Dairy Trust Taranaki for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
We'll delve into:
Hear from:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Taranaki farmers.
Register for catering purposes here
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
Grab your friends and join us for a fun day out at the Te Awamutu golf course playing a round of 6 holes of golf, with tips from the “She Loves Golf” coach.
No previous experience or equipment is needed, just yourself and appropriate footwear.
The day is about having fun, socialising, and will be running with the ok rules!
It’s OK rules!
Limited spots available so get in quick!
Important information
Event Timing:
Start – 10:00am
Finish – 2:00pm
In our final group for the year we'll be talking about strategies for managing the summer months on farm
Kevin and Claire have invited us to check out their farmsystem this month.
We'll discuss what strategies local farmers are implementing to get through summer.
It'll also be a chance to have a social BBQ before Christmas - thanks to Taranaki Vet Centre.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Summer crops and more at the final catch up of the year
Join us as as we head to Paddy O'Shea's this month.
We will:
To celebrate the festive season we will also have a round of trough golf.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Planning is key to managing a summer dry
The last group for the calendar year where we will look forward to the options for managing summer.
During most Waikato summers we see a few weeks of hot, dry conditions reducing pasture growth. With the forecast El Niño climate pattern, the chances of a longer, dryer summer spell increases.
This will put extra pressure on pasture, stock, people and profit.
Farms backed by strong plans, good processes, and happy teams will do better during challenging times.
Lunch, drinks and a social catchup provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us for a fun, social quiz at our final group of the year!
Come and join us for our Christmas group at Opunake Surf Inn starting at 11am on 12th December.
We will be doing a farming pub quiz! Either come by yourself or bring your on-farm team along for a good laugh with neighbours and friends. You don't have to be a quiz master to attend!
You might learn some handy tips to take home leading into the rest of the season...
Quiz Categories:
Lunch and drinks are self funded.
Season update and wrapping up the 2023 year ready for Santa.
This month we are invited to Michelle & Dan Brice's farm.
Lunch and drinks will be provided, to celebrate the festive season.
Bring the whole team!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Introducing BOP's latest case study farm
Introducing the latest BOP case study farm. A big thank you to Ricky Phillips, Briana Devlin and Nick Dowson for hosting us.
You may be wondering, what is a case study farm? A case study is research into the development of a situation over a period of time. Come along and join in on discussions as we view the current situation and where to for the future.
Research - Case Studies | DairyNZ
As it will be our last meeting for the year with a dash of Christmas added to the occasion, we will be having a late afternoon, early evening meeting, please feel free to bring your family with you. We will be starting at 5pm with the case study followed by the much requested BBQ at 6pm.
Look forward to seeing you all soon!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
Improve your milking efficiencies with MilkSmart
The first step to milking smarter is an efficient milking routine, and DairyNZ’s MilkSmart tool can support you to do this.
Learn more about the small changes you can make at milking times for significantly improving efficiency, milk quality and farm profitability, at this event delivered by Dairy Training Ltd, suitable for all dairy farmers.
This event will cover:
BBQ lunch kindly supplied by FarmSource
.. with a hint of Christmas
Join us on farm with Matt & Jody McLachlan along with Farm Manager Alasdair Bailey. Hear about the farm system and we will take the opportunity to look around the farm (by 4WD) to look at how the farm has been developed with the fast track of the cyclone. We will also discuss DairyNZ's tool, Econ Tracker, a finaincial tool to help with cashflow budgeting
Lunch provided kindly sponsored by Ravensdown - please RSVP to Janine 027 381 2025 to help with catering.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Check out the Mellow's farm and brush up on your emissions knowledge
Donna, Gary and Scott Mellow are kindly hosting us for our Christmas group. The Mellow's run a unique system right on the coast, milking through the winter with their empty and late calvers. The farm is in their 3rd season with additional land, so come along to hear about how their system has been refined.
With Fonterra's Scope 3 emissions target announcement, we will be discussing emissions to help you get your head around it.
Jason Rolfe, Dairy Trust Taranaki, will explain the trial work they are currently doing to reduce emissions without affecting profitability. Bring your Fonterra Insights Report along if you want to see where you sit in comparison to the rest of the group.
Mike Green, Rural Support Trust Taranaki, will also be in attendance to explain what support is available in Taranaki for farmers and their families.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Setting Up for Summer & Repro Success
We're visiting the Bearman's farm - we'll be discussing setting up for summer and other seasonal topics - check back for more details
Meet at the cowshed (S/N 38182) Viewbank Road, Milton
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm as we head towards the holidays
Join us on farm for this Christmas catchup with Bali and the team! We'll have some great on-farm topics, including El Nino preparedness with the MPI On-Farm Support Team. We'll make time for a social catchup too – BBQ lunch provided.
All welcome - come along!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Join us at the Tokoroa Summer Group to discuss rearing youngstock and cropping on the farm.
Come along to the Tokoroa Summer Group that is being held on the farm managed by Wiremu Smith.
We will be looking at:
Take the opportunity to get off farm and have a get together before Christmas, and bring your staff along too.
Meet at 5157 State Highway 1, Tokoroa
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Looking at how regen and other techniques can fit into a resilient, sustainable and profitable farm system
Join us as we explore the changes that Matt and Shaylee have made to their farm system:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come and hear how the Edge's use a combination of OAD and 3 in 2 milking while still achieving a peak around 2.5-2.6KgMS/cow, 520-530KgMS/cow and 8% empty rates!
There's been plenty of interest in flexible milking strategies from OAD, 10 in 7, 3 in 2, 16hr milking, VIM and any combination of all the above!
You will hear from the Edge's about how they have utilised OAD post calving for 3 weeks, 3 in 2 through the autumn even switching onto this routine when the cows are producing at 2.2KgMS/cow, then onto OAD pre drying off!
Some key farm stats and KPI's:
2.5-2.6KgMS/cow at peak
520-530KgMS/cow
8% MT rate scanned in mid May
Self contained wintering with precisison swedes
Big focus on BCS management throughout the season
5th Aug PSC
We'll be recapping the research on flexible milking strategies, what's the milk production cost? When should you make the switch? What's the impact on people and cows? How do you make the rosters work? What happens with SCC and mastitis? Bring your questions, or if you've tried flexible milking come along and share your experiences.
Farm Consultant Leo Pekar from LIC Farmwise will be on hand to share with us their farm system optimiser analysis and experience and observations.
Thanks to LIC Farmwise for sponsoring and providing lunch for all!
All welcome!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Christmas get together - come kick of the gumboots!
With the festive season around the corner, it is time to take a well-deserved break.
Come join us on our host farm for a relaxing day where we will chew the fat and have a look around the farm. There is no formal agenda but rather an opportunity for us to socialize with each other after a busy season so far.
Also bring along your family, as well as your staff and their families.
Lunch and soft drinks will be supplied.
See you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come along to the final catch up of the year and connect with your neighbours before Christmas
Join us this month at Calahn's farm, where he contract milks for the Thomas family.
We will:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
...with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on-farm with Adrian and the team for our end of year Christmas group. Though a relaxed, social group, we will look to get out on farm and have a look around.
Topics will be updated closer to the time.
This event is open to all farmers and rural professionals, so bring your neighbour and we will see you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Wednesday 13 December –
Birthdays come and go every year, but this year it’s a particularly big one for us. We’re turning 25 years old, and that deserves to be celebrated!
So come along to our 25 Year Celebration to catch up with everyone in your area, have some delicious food and of course…celebrate! This is a great chance to relax and socialise before the busy Christmas festivities start.
Cost: $30.00
Event Timings:
Start – 12.00pm
Finish – 2.00pm
RSVP: 29 November
Tune in to this webinar to learn more about the key principles of summer nutrition during a dryer than usual season.
Tune in to this webinar to learn more about the key principles of summer nutrition during a dryer than usual season, with tips and advice from DairyNZ Principal Scientist Jane Kay, and experienced farmer Trevor Hamilton. NIWA will also provide an updated outlook to assist your decision making when it comes to summer management.
NIWA’s prediction of an El Nino weather pattern means it’s highly likely this summer will be dryer than usual, creating added challenges in a low payout year.
Making important decisions now about summer nutrition will ensure you are in a better position to adapt to the challenges that a dryer summer will bring.
In this webinar:
Achieving results with Youngstock
Our last meeting for the year with a dash of Christmas added to the occasion, we will be having a late afternoon, early evening meeting, please feel free to bring your family with you.
A big thank you to Wil Davies who manages one of TH Enterprises drystock units, Lake Heights Farms Ltd. We will be discussing how Wil looks after their heifers to achieve set targets at 5pm, followed by the much requested Christmas BBQ at 6pm.
Look forward to seeing you all soon!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm as we head towards the holidays
Topics for this group will be:
Everyone welcome - bring your neighbour!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
It’s been a while since we had a chance to catch up, so what better time to do it than before the Christmas festivities take over!
Join us for some festive cheer, take some time out from the Christmas rush and have a bit of “you time” before the kids are home for the holidays. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and meet some of the new faces in your area.
Make sure to bring your books along, as we will also have the Ballance Book Swap ready to go!
Event Timings:
Start – 10:00am
Finish – 12.00pm
Improve your milking efficiencies with MilkSmart
The first step to milking smarter is an efficient milking routine, and DairyNZ’s MilkSmart tool can support you to do this.
Learn more about the small changes you can make at milking times for significantly improving efficiency, milk quality and farm profitability, at this event delivered by Dairy Training Ltd, suitable for all dairy farmers.
This event will cover:
BBQ lunch kindly supplied by FarmSource
Join us on farm as we head towards the holidays
Join us on farm for this Christmas catchup with Sharemilkers Alvaro and Ximena on Geoff and Esters farm in Hukanui!
We'll have some great on-farm topics, including El Nino preparedness with the MPI On-Farm Support Team. We'll make time for a social catchup too – BBQ lunch provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
.. with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on farm with Farm Manager Craig Alley. Craig runs an excellent dairy operation with some cropping added to the mix at Otane.
The farm was severly impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle, losing 70 ha of pasture. We'll take a look over the farm, hear about the farm system and how Craig has managed the farm post cyclone across such a wet, challenging season.
We'll also cover DairyNZ's budget tool, Econ Tracker, to help with cashflow budgeting.
Enjoy some time off farm with lunch provided - please RSVP Janine 027 381 2025 for catering purposes.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Get off farm and catch up with the crew
Are you a basher or a crusher?
Get off farm for a fun few hours with your mates.
Mating is almost done, the days are getting longer, and Christmas is almost here.
Enjoy 9 holes of ambrose golf, with food and drinks provided by our generous sponsors - Vining Contracting, Farm Source, and PGG Wrightson.
Green fees only.
Alan and Susan Crowley are opening their farm gates ahead of Christmas
Alan and Susan Crowley are kindly hosting us for our Christmas group. Alan and Susan are farming on Harvey Road outside Pungarehu. They were previously Organic Dairy Hub suppliers until this season.
It has been 3 years since we last visited the farm so be sure to come along to hear about what they have been doing on farm.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Social Christmas group to catchup before the end of the year
This will be a social group to wind down before Christmas and talk about how the year has been. We'll have a brief session on what is happening in the area and industry.
Everyone welcome - come along!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Curious? Come along and see a different way of farming!
As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, why not get off farm and have a look at a different way of farming.
Join us on-farm with Greg and Amy to see a Robotic Milking system in action for our end of year Christmas group. Though a relaxed, social group, our main topic will be how technology has impacted the Gemmells and their farm. We will also go on a drive to the run-off and have a look!
Everyone is welcome - bring your farm team, neighbour, and friend!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Come along to Edwin and Mari-Anne's for the Summer/Christmas group
Come along to the Seasonal Group at Edwin and Mari-Anne's to have a look at:
We look forward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
High volume farmers - how can DairyNZ support you better? Come to this group and tell us!
Are you an innovative farmer working to maximise the potential from your investment in cows and land? Come and join this group to share knowledge, experiences, innovations, and celebrate successes in this farming system.
Come to an innovative farm and hear about the journey the Loijens have been on.
The Loijen's system has changed considerably over the last three years to make the most of the feed grown on support land - what are they growing and harvesting to maximise output, while controlling costs?
We want your input for how DairyNZ can support high volume farmers better, specifically by establishing this specialist group. Please consider and be prepared to discuss:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of diseases, pests or weeds.
Understanding our emissions hoofprint and identifying the on-farm levers that can be used to improve the sustainability of our milk produced from pasture, are two important business drivers as we look towards 2030.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical Taranaki solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability.
So let’s do this together Taranaki.
Join DairyNZ, Farm Source, and Dairy Trust Taranaki for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
We'll delve into:
Hear from:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Taranaki farmers.
Register for catering purposes here
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Allflex cow collars analysis, both rumenation data and also for proactive non cyclying identification, high performance production 2002KgMS/ha and 592KgMS/cow, with a 6 week in calf rate of 74% and final in calf rate of 8%
Dylan Lynch and Natasha Maybee have kindly offered to host our next on farm smaller herds event looking at the detail behind their Allflex cow collars investment, data, and performance they are driving from the system.
They are in their 3rd season HOSM (50/50 SM) for Winy Van Rossum and will peak milk approx 285 cows. This is their second season with the cow collars and they are actively using the information for on farm management decisions around feeding and breeding.
This is a high performing farm system which will we also look into and discuss the how/why of at this group.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
A social christmas BBQ for farmers in the Midhirst area
Matt and Kathryn have a great spot next to the river for the annual Taranaki Vet Centre Christmas BBQ for farmers in the Midhirst area.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Lunch thanks to Taranaki Vet Centre.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Understanding our emissions hoofprint and identifying the on-farm levers that can be used to improve the sustainability of our milk produced from pasture, are two important business drivers as we look towards 2030.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical Taranaki solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability.
So let’s do this together Taranaki.
Join DairyNZ, Farm Source, and Dairy Trust Taranaki for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
We'll delve into:
Hear from:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Taranaki farmers.
Register for catering purposes here
Lunch kindly provided by Farm Source.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Summer get together - kick off the gumboots!
With the festive season around the corner, it's time to take a well-deserved break.
Come join us at the Wairakau Hall for a relaxing day where we will chew the fat about everything and anything. There is no formal agenda, but rather an opportunity for us to socialize with each other after a busy season so far.
Also bring along your family, as well as your staff and their families.
Lunch and soft drinks will be supplied.
See you there!
.. with a hint of Christmas!
Join us on farm with Trevor and Anglea Corbin! It's been a year out of the box - we will dicuss the season and forward planning to the New Year!
We will also take a look at Trevor and Angela's sheep block, which was signficantly damaged in the cyclone, and share ideas around future profitable land use for the area. We'll also cover how you can you utilise the DairyNZ Econ Tracker tool to help forecasting budget cashflows
Enjoy lunch kindly sponsored by Ravensdown. Please RSVP Janine 027 381 2025 to help with catering.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Managing a dairy business that is sustainable for people
Join Jenny and Dave to see how there business has grown, and how this impacts their future decisions.
We will look at:
Get along - the more the merrier for ideas and discussion!
Lunch provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Planning for El Nino - with a hint of Christmas
Claudio is in his first year of 50/50 sharemilking on the Empson's farm. It will be a great chance to see how this is going as well as catch up with how the wider district has faired.
Main topic will be Planning for El Nino - Plan for the worst and hope for the best (as I am typing this, we are getting good rain).
Everyone welcome - come along!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Check out a successful 3 in 2 milking system
Over the last few seasons a lot of research has been conducted within the New Zealand Dairy Industry on utilising flexible milking techniques to help take pressure off people and cows throughout summer and the season as a whole.
The Perretts have used the 3 in 2 flexible milking strategy over summer for the past 4 seasons. Come along to find out how it is utilised as a summer strategy.
Topics:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Xmas special!
Xmas special!
This will be our last group of the year. Come along to Darryl and Jan's to catch up with local farmers and discuss the topics that matter to your business.
Heading into summer we will be looking at:
We will be looking to have a social aspect to the group, with lunch and refreshments included. Come along, bring a neighbor, and enjoy!
Come along to the Western Bays/Mangakino summer group to have a look at what David is doing on farm.
Come along to the summer group on David Dysart's farm where we will be looking at:
Take the chance to get off farm and catch up with your neighbours before Christmas, and bring your staff along as well.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
What summer cropping options are Matt and Samantha using? Plus catch up on the year's events.
Christmas catch up at Matt and Samantha's. We will look at:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Season update and wrapping up the 2023 year ready for Santa.
This month we are invited to Barry & Nikki McTamney's farm.
Lunch and drinks will be provided, to celebrate the festive season.
Bring the whole team!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Fertiliser and mineral program, 390 peak milk cows, family farm, above average stocking rates! Come and hear how these factors interact and Stu is managing the farm system!
Stu Kent is contract milking the family farm and has offered to host the local group on farm.
We'll discuss how mating's going to date and young stock mating, Geoff Blomfield the indepent nutrient advisor will join us to talk about their fertilsier and mineral systems and approach on farm, along with discussing the farm's policy around stocking rate.
BBQ lunch provided. All welcome and look forward to seeing you there.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Christmas get together - come kick off the gumboots!
With the festive season around the corner, it is time to take a well-deserved break.
Come join us for a relaxing day at the Mangaiti Hall where we will chew the fat about everything and anything. There is no formal agenda, but rather an opportunity for us to socialize with each other after a busy season so far.
Also bring along your family, as well as your staff and their families.
Lunch and soft drinks will be supplied.
See you there!
Join us for a Christmas catch up and Amazing Race
Join us for a couple of hours off farm to enjoy some social refreshments and a fun event 'The AMAZING RACE'. Get your mates along, the more people, the more fun!
While at the tavern we can also discuss:
Lunch will be supplied, all welcome!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop has 5 online learning modules totalling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch, and refreshments.
The New Zealand Dairy Event promotes excellence in the dairy industry with the emphasis on breeding.
There are four main sections, based on the main dairy breeds in New Zealand.
A very successful Youth section encourages young people into the industry and provides and opportunity for the rural community to come together to share knowledge and expertise.
The event attracts many competitors from around the country and we are expecting a follow-on from the International Dairy Week in Australia. We have also secured excellent judges so look forward to an extremely successful event.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop has 5 online learning modules totalling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch, and refreshments.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop has 5 online learning modules totalling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch, and refreshments.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop has 5 online learning modules totalling 90 minutes which must be completed before the practical trimming day, so bring your gumboots, overalls, warm clothing, lunch, and refreshments.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
Learn about contract milking responsibilities, assess the viability of contracts, and navigate potential risks, to set up for success in your self-employment journey.
Grow your skills, improve performance
Improve how you interact with and manage your team, get up to speed with industry tools and technology, learn how to identify areas for improvement on farm, plan for a rewarding career and take control of your financial situation.
10 workshops per course (over four months).
Get practical techniques and confidence to manage the numbers in an agribusiness.
Step through the process of preparing and monitoring accurate farm budgets to stay on top of farm finances. Have confidence in achieving longer-term goals such as self-employment or growing your farming business.
3 part-days in-person.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
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 Dutch Method.
The workshop is made up of both practical and theory components. The theory consists of 5 online modules that need to be completed before the practical day.
Certificate on completion of both practical and theory companents.
Get practical techniques and confidence to manage the numbers in an agribusiness.
Step through the process of preparing and monitoring accurate farm budgets to stay on top of farm finances. Have confidence in achieving longer-term goals such as self-employment or growing your farming business.
3 part-days in-person.
Learn about contract milking responsibilities, assess the viability of contracts, and navigate potential risks, to set up for success in your self-employment journey.
Learn about contract milking responsibilities, assess the viability of contracts, and navigate potential risks, to set up for success in your self-employment journey.
The Southern Field Days 2024 will be a jam-packed few days, as well as hundreds of great exhibitors from all around the country showcasing the latest in rural machinery and technology. We also run several engaging events.
For further information visit Southern Field Days - One of NZs largest Agricultural events
Get practical techniques and confidence to manage the numbers in an agribusiness.
Step through the process of preparing and monitoring accurate farm budgets to stay on top of farm finances. Have confidence in achieving longer-term goals such as self-employment or growing your farming business.
3 part-days in-person.
Get practical techniques and confidence to manage the numbers in an agribusiness.
Step through the process of preparing and monitoring accurate farm budgets to stay on top of farm finances. Have confidence in achieving longer-term goals such as self-employment or growing your farming business.
3 part-days in-person.
Step through the process of writing a five-year Business Plan
This farm has Halter - come and see how it has changed the way the farm works
Come and join us on Leyden Downs with Fraser Smith to hear about Halter! Halter has been on this farm since late August 2023. Hear about the impacts this technology has had on reproduction/mating, animal health and data insights.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Welcome to the Northland Field Days!
The largest agri-event in Northland where there's something for everyone - rural or urban. As well as hundreds of exhibitors showcasing the latest in farming innovations, there's plenty of food and entertainment.
Bring the whole family and come together to celebrate our region.
Central Districts Field Days is a unique agricultural event that attracts over 27,000 people each March over three days to friendly Feilding in the Manawatu, where they connect, discover and experience the future of New Zealand's primary industries.
CD Field Days is central to business, rural connections, supporting local and has been bringing Kiwi communities and industries together for the past 29 years.
From farmers and foodies to tech-heads and townies, New Zealand's largest regional field days has something for everyone.
Explore weather-related anxiety and the range of impacts extreme weather can have on individuals, whānau and communities.
Weathering the Storm helps you manage the stress and heightened emotions associated with severe weather. Learn about the emotional phases of a disaster, how to manage anxiety and distress, and ways to build resilience.
Our facilitators bring a wealth of professional and personal experience, delivering the workshop with expertise and sensitivity.
Participants will receive a workbook with notes, additional reading, and a directory for support
Get practical techniques and confidence to manage the numbers in an agribusiness.
Step through the process of preparing and monitoring accurate farm budgets to stay on top of farm finances. Have confidence in achieving longer-term goals such as self-employment or growing your farming business.
3 part-days online.
AgFest recognises the importance of the agricultural sector on the West Coast. The purpose of the event is to give people in the rural sector the opportunity to showcase their business, to celebrate the agricultural industry and its significance to all businesses on and around the Coast.
Come along and you'll experience every inch of farming in New Zealand - from the latest in dairy sheds to the best gumboots to wear in them. You'll see the latest in farming vehicles and implements, stock care, health and safety ... and much more!
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.
The South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) is a two-day conference for farmers, led by farmers.
Established in 1998 we provide a forum for those involved in the South Island dairy industry to evaluate and apply knowledge, skills and technology to their business.
The SIDE 2024 Events Committee is working on speakers, workshop topics and keynote speakers. Watch this space for more details as they come to hand.
BrightSIDE is to inspire and attract dairying's future decision makers to the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), provide them with skills, tools and knowledge to succeed and thrive in a dynamic industry.
BrightSIDE is all about inspiring, encouraging and uplifting those starting out in dairying to show them the positive side and the opportunities that a dairying career can provide. It will give attendees the drive and confidence in themselves to progress.
Watch this space for further details as they come to hand.
