Dairy Events Calendar
Explore all upcoming Dairy Industry
Events
Agri-Women’s Development Trust warmly invites you to a special programme for women in the primary sector and rural communities who have been affected by severe weather in 2023.
When we are busy doing the mahi, we often don’t notice how we are tracking or that we are starting to wobble. Set aside the to-do list and take some time out – because YOU matter.
Discover the power of giving yourself permission to pause, connect, re-energise and learn in a calm, safe and supportive space. Oh, and have some fun in the process!
Three locations - Northland, Wairarapa, Tairāwhiti - and one more to be added.
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.
Next Level, is AWDT’s six-month leadership and governance programme for women.
Designed to empower and inspire, Next Level will help you find and foster your strengths, gain clarity on your direction and break through the barriers that hold you back.
You’ll be supported by professional coaches and facilitators who understand rural life and live in your world. Connect and learn alongside other aspiring female leaders from New Zealand’s food and fibre sector and rural communities, gaining the tools and connections to influence and lead into the future.
Next Level is delivered through an innovative mix of face-to-face group modules, online individual learning, individual executive coaching and online facilitated group sessions.
1 on 1 NAIT and MyOSPRI support sessions
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.
Join us as we visit Jorg Sahin's farm. It's been tough getting through the dry, but we're focussing on how to finish 2023/24 well after the dry spell without compromising next season.
We're meeting at the shed (30 Phosphate Road - SN 38262)
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
The Waikato DairyNZ Business Group is a specialist working group for senior farm workers, managers, contract milkers and sharemilkers looking to upskill and grow their business.
This month we will meet to look at:
Two presentations:
A dairy farmer who runs a 380 cow EP farm here in the Waikato and has invested in a large farm in the South Island will present on how EPs work. Including what is important to have in the EP agreement. The farmer will also discuss how he found partners to go farming with and the benefits they have had working with other people.
Everyone is warmly welcome, although we do ask that you express your interest in this group by emailing steve.canton@dairynz.co.nz
The group is held at the Merchant of Matamata (Good George Pub), 44 Broadway, Matamata.
It is free to attend this group but we do ask you cover the cost of your lunch on the day.
Please arrive at 10:45am to sign in and order your meal.
We look forward to seeing you there!
This event presents the regional benchmarking data for 2022/23 to farmers.
Guest speaker Robb Macbeth (Consultant - PeakAg) will talk about the key messages, correlations and profit drivers drawn from the 2022-23 Canterbury regional benchmarking data.
We will be joined by a panel of farmers who will discuss their on-farm systems that have led to their high performance, followed by a Q&A session.
Finish time 1pm followed by lunch. There will also be an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with Robb and the DairyNZ regional team.
Registrations are essential - please register by Monday 15 April.
Please check back closer to the time for more specific topics.
This group discusses and investigates the farm system on the host farm to help identify opportunities and solutions that meet the hosts goals and objectives. It is an open forum that draws on the experiences of all its members.
We will also discuss seasonal issues and challenges that are affecting farmers in the region.
Topics to be covered:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Towards the end of the season, drying cows off in a timely manner is often associated with ensuring cows have enough time to get condition back on prior to calving.
Today we will be visiting 4 farms. At each farm, attendees will condition score a number of cows. Each person (or pair) will hand their score to the data collector. Results will be calculated and shared at the end of the meeting including any highlights or issues identified along the way. This tour will be great for comparing feed available, current situation on farms as well as a gauge on where your cows are at compared to theirs. We won't have much time at each stop so please, keep an ear open for instructions.
A big thank you to our hosts. In order, we will be visiting: Please note; meeting address has been updated.
Look forward to seeing you all soon!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Let's get together as a group and work through the drying off, and condition score decisions.
We will also look forward and setting up for spring.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Learn about the key messages, corelations and profit drivers drawn from the 2022-23 West Coast regional benchmarking data.
Stay for something to eat and the opportunity for one-on-one discussions.
No need to register for this event - just turn up!
Please note that this meeting now starts at 11.30am.
Join 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 event presents the regional benchmarking data for 2022/23 to rural professionals and farmers at this Central Christchurch event.
Guest speaker Robb Macbeth (Consultant - PeakAg) will talk about the key messages, correlations and profit drivers drawn from the 2022-23 Canterbury regional benchmarking data.
We will be joined by a panel of farmers, who will discuss their on-farm systems that have led to their high performance, followed by a Q&A session.
The meeting will begin with at 4.00pm and will finish at around 5.30pm, with time for networking after this as well as some refreshments and nibbles, kindly provided by ANZ.
Registrations are essential - please register by Monday 15 April.
Rob Eggers from SFA Training is once again facilitating a First Aid Training Course in partnership with ESAI for Farmers and farm staff.
The full day course will cover:
This course is offered Free of Charge to ESAI members, their families, farm staff and others in the local community.
Food and refreshments will be provided.
Numbers are limited, bookings are essential.
This online Greenhouse Gas Seminars is designed to expand your understanding of climate change, why agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are important in New Zealand, how they can be estimated within the farm system, and how they can be reduced on different farms.
This is a 90 minute pasture session talking about the basics of pasture managment - using a platemeter, importance of the 3 leaf stage, using a feed wedge & managing residuals. Opportunity to learn new skills or sharpen up your old skills.
With good pasture management being at the forefront of NZ's dairy industry successes, getting pasture management right in the spring is crutial!! Whether its your first season or tenth, this session will be a great opportunity for you or your team to refresh or learn some new pasture skills. It is important for the whole team to be aware of what good looks like and the implications of poorly managed pastures!
Join us on Thursday 18th April starting at 10.00am at Adam McCall's farm (Paradise Flat Rd, Kelso - S/N 33360). This will be a 90 minute session so short, sharp and informative! Most of the session is in the paddock, so bring gumboots and wet weather gear.
What we will be focusing on:
All welcome to attend - there will be something for every ability.
For more info, or to have one of these sessions run in your area contact Gareth on 0278089425
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Setting up your farm to be both profitable and meet our ever increasing environmental requirement
Ben and Nicky Allomes have spent the last few seasons adapting their farm system to stay ahead of the curve with 3 key aspects of farm systems - People, Profit and their foot print.
It's a constant juggling act, but this is what success can look like with consistently increasing operating profit from a 10-in-7 milking system while undertaking cornerstone environmental initiatives, which include:
Ben and Nicky have also incorporated technology to see great improvements in production using this. Everyone is welcome to this event to see how to put the pieces together. Lunch is kindly provided by Allflex.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Please note that this Benchmarking meeting has been cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience.
Learn about the key messages, corelations and profit drivers drawn from the 2022-23 West Coast regional benchmarking data.
Stay for something to eat and the opportunity for one-on-one discussions.
No need to register for this event - just turn up!
Join us on farm with our April host, Harold Bosch - manager of this Wallace Farm Dairy unit.
We will be covering key autumn actions:
We will also be focusing on autumn pasture and encouraging tillering for a productive following season. We will discuss how we can best manage pasture for a long productive lifetime.
Lunch will be provided
All are warmly welcome & we look forward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come along to our specialist launch group of Green to Gold, kindly hosted by Contract Milker Sicelo Nene and farm owner Ben Watson.
We will kick off the session with what is on everyone's minds at the moment...what does the Dairybase data say around profitability and pasture.
The discussion will include and cover the basic fundamentals for success:
Please bring along: current farm data ready for contributing.
Lunch and refreshments provided. Bring your farm team to share in this wisdom!
We look forward to seeing you there, from your DairyNZ team (Willie McKnight and Steph Gudgeon)
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Chris and Kathy Prankerd are kindly welcoming us onto their farm to host this toolbox.
We will be talking how to set yourself up for a successful season come June 2024. With changes to the weather conditions throughout the year, increase in prices and interest rates, it's important to ensure you have set yourself and your business up in a position to be best take on the season ahead.
We will have guest speakers:
We will be going through how to set yourself up:
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
The Neal family are kindly welcoming us onto their farm to host this toolbox.
We will be talking how to set yourself up for a successful season come June 2024. With changes to the weather conditions throughout the year, increase in prices and interest rates, it's important to ensure you have set yourself and your business up in a position to be best take on the season ahead.
We will have guest speakers:
We will be going through how to set yourself up:
Lunch will be provided
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
1 on 1 NAIT and MyOSPRI support sessions
1 on 1 NAIT and MyOSPRI support sessions
People, Profit, Planet- Robust farm systems for now and the future
Over the next month we will be exploring changes Southland OCD Farmers have been making to their farm systems.
Farmers modify their farm systems for a variety of reasons,
Changes to a farm system takes planning and can take a couple of seasons to fine tune. At the field days, farmers will be sharing details of their journey, so that fellow farmers can benefit from their collective experiences and make efficient, effective changes that suit their own needs.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
We've teamed up with Fonterra, Farm Source our hosts, the Galloways. We'all start the day off with registration, tea and coffee @ 10.30, followed by:
Everyone is welcome including farm staff and rural professionals. Lunch kindly sponsored by CRV, refreshments kindly sponsored by Ecobab. Please RSVP Janine Swansson 027 381 2025 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Dom Schuler is kindly hosting us for our end of season group on the 23rd of April. Dom will be almost at the end of his season, so we will be able to hear about how his 23/24 season has tracked for him.
We haven't been to this farm for many many years so make sure you come along to see what's changed since you were last on farm or come along to support and learn about a new farm to the group.
We will be talking all things:
- Finishing off the season strong
- Summer/autumn recap
Lunch will be provided
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Why attend?
Get inspired by Johan and Kylie van Ras, Waikato dairy farmers who are experiencing the rewards from their focus on both profit and environmental improvement.
They will share:
Plantain in focus
Waterways and wetlands
This event is part of the People, Profit and Planet series, looking at robust farm systems for now and the future.
BBQ Lunch Provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to reduce the risk of spreading a disease, pest or weed.
Matt Cassineri, FarmWise, will take us through how we can feed supplement profitably, by understanding the principles of substitution, limiting factors, and timing.
Hear why understanding key concepts can assist you in making the best decisions around using supplement, with consideration for profitability and environment taken into consideration.
Lunch supplied thanks to FarmWise.
Join us on farm with our April hosts, Andy & Rachel Hawkings. We will also have agronomic expertise from Barenbrug!
We will be covering key autumn actions:
We will also be focusing on autumn pasture and encouraging tillering for a productive following season. Andy has noticed his pastures are not persisting as long as he would like them to. We will discuss how we can best manage pasture for a long productive lifetime.
Lunch is kindly provided by Barenbrug
All are warmly welcome & we look forward to seeing you there!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm to discuss all things mastitis! This will be an interactive workshop, catering for all levels on farm, with a focus on SCC and what is driving the numbers and trends we are seeing over the seasons.
We'all start the day off with registration, tea and coffee @ 11.00 followed by:
Everyone is welcome including farm teams and rural professionals. Lunch is kindly provided by SmaXtec. Please RSVP Tegan Pope 027 808 3411 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
This month, Hodderville Farms are hosting an Autumn Management workshop that is open to all farmers.
Farmers around the South Waikato are reporting improved repro results from 2024 Matings. What has impacted this? What can we do to maintain performance and build on our progress?
Well, it all starts now in Autumn!
This session we will focus on the skills our team need to manage autumn and winter- to set the farm up for an epic spring and mating. We will cover:
Come along and join us for a fun and practical session.
Lunch provided by Hodderville Farms.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join James Atkins from NZX to learn about the price risk management tools available to manage your exposure to fluctuating milk price, what to consider when developing a hedging policy and how to access the futures market.
Learning Outcomes:
Meet your presenter: James Atkinson is NZX’s Dairy Derivatives Manager based in Auckland NZ. In James’ work, he is responsible for the development, sales and building of liquidity in the SGX-NZX Global dairy futures and options market in New Zealand and internationally. Alongside work, James is passionate about New Zealand’s Agricultural industry, having a continued involvement in the family dairy farming operation based in the mighty Waikato. Admittedly, the number of times the gumboots are put on are pretty slim nowadays.
Join us for:
Everyone welcome - lunch provided.
Optional herd visit after lunch at 12.30pm.
Jeff and Sharon are kindly welcoming us onto their family farm and inside their business.
Jeff and Sharon are in the top 25% of 50/50 sharemilkers for operating profit per hectare.
In the 22/23 season, Jeff and Sharon's farm working expenses were $2.18/kgMS. This is 31% lower than the average Taranaki 50/50 sharemilker.
Their business is milking 350 crossbred cows at peak on 109 effective hectares (3.2 cows/ha). Their cows are produce 104% of their liveweight.
The farm is achieving 1,475kgMS/ha while harvesting 16.2 t DM/ha of pasture and crop on farm. The farm imported 935kgDM/cow last season.
Jeff and Sharon are happy to share their story and farming principles with those that attend.
Please register here to attend.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
We've teamed up with Fonterra, Farm Source and our hosts Racheal Hobbs and Bryan Anderson. We'all start the day off with registration, tea and coffee @ 10.30, followed by:
Everyone is welcome including farm staff and rural professionals. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP Brianna Hull 021 244 3428 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to reduce the risk of spreading a disease, pest or weed.
Topics discuused include:
Join us on farm with our hosts Humphrey and Fiona O'Leary. This will be a relaxed, social group with the opportunity to chew the fat with other local farmers and have a look around their farm. Topics for the day will be confirmed closer to the time, so check back then!
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 on farm with our April host Fraser Hasnip! And agronomic expertise from Cassey Edgecombe - Agricom!
This month we are focusing on the key farming fundamentals, cows and grass!
Lunch is kindly provided by Agricom - all are warmly welcome!
Details to be confirmed
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
George is second season HOSM on farm and has peak milked 296 cows this season.
Heifer MT rates were 2.7% and MA cows 11%! With an 80% 6 week in calf rate!
We'll be discussing their farm system and maximsing the autumn.
BBQ lunch to round out group.
Look forward to seeing you for the first time or catching up with our regulars!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm with contract milker Caleb Hill for a special focus on the farm system.
Lunch will be provided.
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.
Come along and listen to the Muller Families journey to High Volume. Are you a system 4 or 5 dairy farmer? Are you looking to change your system?
Then come along to join this group and spend the day with like-minded farmers.
Peter and Marion will share their journey to high volume with mistakes and learnings along the way, and the improvements they have made to be where they are now.
Lunch provided!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
This is a 90 minute pasture session talking about the basics of pasture managment - using a platemeter, importance of the 3 leaf stage, using a feed wedge & managing residuals. Opportunity to learn new skills or sharpen up your old skills.
With good pasture management being at the forefront of NZ's dairy industry successes, getting pasture management right in the spring is crutial!! Whether its your first season or tenth, this session will be a great opportunity for you or your team to refresh or learn some new pasture skills. It is important for the whole team to be aware of what good looks like and the implications of poorly managed pastures!
Join us on Monday 29th April starting at 11am at Kate & Scott Burgess (140 Webb Rd - S/N 34021). This will be a 90 minute session so short, sharp and informative! Most of the session is in the paddock, so bring gumboots and wet weather gear.
What we will be focusing on:
All welcome to attend - there will be something for every ability.
For more info, or to have one of these sessions run in your area contact Gareth on 0278089425
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Progression for many family farms can be complicated and they can often look quite different to what one might expect on the surface.
A big thank you to Nick and Mary Dowson, our case study farm situated near Katikati. Bounded by scale, growth opportunities exist around efficiency of the overall operation from cows to feed management. But where might one start in any given situation? With a whole farm and business assessment to help identify areas to work on. Join us as we go over the outcomes of the whole farm assessment and shaping of a plan.
We 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 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.
Come join us for a fun morning, filled with lots of PINK!
Before indulging in our Pink Ribbon Morning Tea, you’ll be able to explore the Lily Pads Garden Art Studio before settling down to unwind and mingle.
There will be a range of pink trinkets available for purchase as well as an auction! All items in the auction have been generously donated by members of the local community.
All money raised from the sales or the auction will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
Ticket cost includes morning tea and a hot drink of your choice.
Come along dressed in pink and let’s support a great cause together!
Event Timing: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Cost: $30.00
RSVP: 25 April
Get your team along for practical and fun skill sessions. We're running four modules, covering the basics and giving you a taste of the training that's on offer with different providers.
The day runs from 10am to 1pm.
Four Modules (25 minutes each):
We're meeting at the Telford Reception carpark, 498 Owaka Highway (about 7 minutes from Balclutha). Look for the DairyNZ Signs
Registrations are essential - lunch provided.
Bring wet weather gear (just in case) and be prepared to get involved.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Hosted by James and Debbie Stewart and Dave and Jan Stewart, owners of Stewart Dairylands. Come and celebrate this year's winners of the Horizons Ballance Farm Environment Awards.
Come and see why the Stewart family not only took out the Supreme Award, but also:
A warm welcome to everyone and lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Come to Richard and Nicola's farm, we'll talk about:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
We've teamed up with Fonterra, Farm Source and our hosts, Cam and Jackson Woodhouse. We'all start the day off with registration, tea and coffee @ 10.30, followed by:
Everyone is welcome including farm staff and rural professionals. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP Brianna Hull 021 244 3428 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Embark on an excitng journey with Maka Morales and Miguel Ortiz, as they share their remarkable progression from novice farm assistants to successful 50/50 sharemilkers. Discover their secrets to nurturing growth within their team, leveraging mentors, discussion groups, and workshops to achieve their results.
Gain invaluable insights into their strategic approach to assembling a new herd in year one, and anticipate upcoming shifts in year two. Plus, delve into expert advice on optimizing pasture growth and reducing reliance on PKE from LIC Farmwise consultant Leo Pekar and the Optimiser modelling tool.
Also don't miss out on essential tips for implementing a mating plan and what the options are ahead presented by VetSouth.
This event promises to empower and equip farmers for unparalleled success.
Lunch kindly provided by LIC Farmwise.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Join us on farm at the P3 Monitor Farm Field Day with our host farmers, Mike & Brenda Karl, with a composting barn playing an integral part in their farming system.
We will be covering:
We'll have a farm walk to look at the herd and the Composting Barn so bring appropriate footwear.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come join our hosts, Stephen and Sophie Smyllie, on farm for the last seasonal group of the current season.
Apart from celebrating their good performance in the Share Farmer of the Year (Waikato region) competition, where they came second and also picked up 3 merit awards, we are going to delve into the reasons they have entered, how it fits into their progression and career plans and what lessons have been learnt on the way.
We are also going to focus on their farming principles and system in finding that sweet spot between sustainable optimal production, good reproduction, animal health and well-being as well as a balanced lifestyle for everyone working on farm.
Come join us for an interesting day off farm and make sure to bring everyone along.
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
This month we are kindly hosted by Cameron & Lizzie Te Brake for our combined Arohena/Wharepapa South group.
We will kick off with our regular catch up and see how things are going on farm.
Our special focus at this group will be about planning for the future. Specifically, what the Te Brakes have done to make wintering a success, how they are reducing sediment loss and how these changes have reduced emissions on farm.
We will also check out DairyNZ tools designed to make your job easier.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Lunch will be provided.
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.
Come to Pasture Summit’s On Farm Events this May, organised by farmers for farmers, with input from dairy sector specialists, sharing ideas and developments on achieving profitable dairy food production from grass.
We’re in the business of turning grass to milk to cash - it’s our key competitive advantage. Our host farmers are focused on achieving strong bottom-line financial performance and growth. They will present their costs and returns and discuss their farm management strategy to drive profit now and into the future.
Herd reproduction will be covered in detail with the session supported by the legendary scientist Kevin Macdonald and Dr Susanne Meier (DairyNZ Senior Scientist and herd reproduction specialist).
A panel discussion will also explore equity growth pathways for young farmers wanting to progress in dairying
Register here. Address available after registration.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
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.
Simon Anderson has been on farm for the past 11 seasons and developed farm systems that work in their environment!
We'll discuss there use of 3 in 2 milking extensively, cow collars and data they are providing, how there self contained operation stacks up.
We will also be focusing on thier people management systems they have learnt and are learning around retention and engagement, technology, employment based around values and attitude set, lean management systems they have implemented.
All welcome
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Come along and hear about what the Smith's are doing on their farm.
We'll talk about:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Welcome to DWN2024 Enhance, Elevate, and Evolve. A conference is not just an event; it’s an experience that will propel you towards new and exciting destinations in your personal and professional life.
Enhance your values: Discover the power within as we delve into refining and amplifying your core values. Unearth the essence of what truly matters to you.
Elevate your skills: Engage in interactive sessions, and dynamic discussions where you will gain practical tools and strategies to enhance your life’s journey.
Evolve your journey: Surround yourself with a diverse community, forge meaningful connections, and build a network of support that will elevate you to new heights.
Join us on Thursday 2, May 2024 in New Plymouth to equip yourself through workshops, keynote speakers, networking, and a gala dinner, and unlock the doors to a world where enhancement, elevation, and evolution are the keys to success!
Tickets on sale Now!
This workshop will be facilitated by Rural Consulting and is free to attend.
Benefits of attending:
– FEP Auditors are reporting that some farmers are being tripped up / down graded due to winter grazing requirements.
– Leave with a sound understanding of what is required to meet the Management of Crops and Winter Grazing section of the NZFAP+ standard and why these requirements exist.
– Update from a Regional Council representative on what is happening with IWG rules regionally and how Canterbury farmers have been performing.
– Understand what tools are available to assist with your winter grazing management and providing evidence.
– Gain a deeper insight into what good winter management practices look like in the paddock.
– An opportunity to sit down for a 1-1 session with a consultant from Rural Consulting Ltd to cover the following:
o A desktop mock audit / review of your current winter grazing plans and how these stack up against NZFAP+ and FEP audit requirements.
o Where to access resources to assist you with your winter grazing planning.
o Create your winter grazing plan for 2024.
Come along and hear from Duncan and Anne-Marie Wells about what drives their high performing dairy farm business Huntly Road Dairies.
Duncan and Anne-Marie are DairyNZ budget case study farmers for Southland/South Otago, with profitability almost double the average for the region in 2022/23 and impressive pasture and crop harvested figures.
This is a profitable and productive farm, we'll be looking at how they achieve this perfomance and how this impacts on nitrogen and emissions - what are the options to increase effiency and reduce their footprint?
Sally Dicey from Ahika Consulting will be sharing the results from the energy audit, share opportunities for other farmers to be involved and highlighting the Taieri Catchment group
Come along and be inspired!
Join us from 10:15am on Thursday 2nd May at Huntly Road Dairies 95 Huntly Road, Outram SN38441
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
If you need any advice, guidence or direction with any of the following, then please call into the Dannevirke Farm Source store. We'll have one of our team avaliable to point you in the right direction.
Drop in anytime between 9:30am and 3pm. Thanks to Paul and the team from Farm Source Dannevirke for accommodating us.
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.
Join us for a First Aid on Farms course!
This course has been tailored for our members by Practical Training Solutions in consultation with farmers. It was developed based on a First Aid Needs Assessment for New Zealand dairy farms to meet WorkSafe compliance requirements. This practical first aid training will focus on scenario work, covering the most likely first aid emergencies encountered on farms. It is designed for everyone working on your farm.
What will be covered:
Important Information:
Limited spaces available
Bring your own lunch
Tea and coffee provided
Participants will receive a first aid certificate
Event timings:
Registration – 9:45am
Start – 10:00 am
Finish – 2:30pm
Cost: $165.00
RSVP: Tuesday 30 April
This online Greenhouse Gas Seminars is designed to expand your understanding of climate change, why agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are important in New Zealand, how they can be estimated within the farm system, and how they can be reduced on different farms.
Join us for a First Aid on Farms course!
This course has been tailored for our members by Practical Training Solutions in consultation with farmers. It was developed based on a First Aid Needs Assessment for New Zealand dairy farms to meet WorkSafe compliance requirements. This practical first aid training will focus on scenario work, covering the most likely first aid emergencies encountered on farms. It is designed for everyone working on your farm.
What will be covered:
Important Information:
Limited spaces available
Bring your own lunch
Tea and coffee provided
Participants will receive a first aid certificate
Event timings:
Registration – 9:45am
Start – 10:00 am
Finish – 2:30pm
Cost: $165.00
RSVP: Tuesday 30 April
Are you interested in achieving top farm performance to support your farming and family goals?
DairyNZ Economists and farm system specialists have undertaken an analysis of Lower North Island farms’ financial, physical and environmental data over the last 15 years and also an in-depth analysis of the 2022/23 season.
Paul Bird, Felix Rodriguez-Firpo and Mark Laurence will present the conclusions, correlations and key profit drivers from this analysis followed by a Q&A session.
This will be an interactive event with lots of time for discussion. You are very welcome to attend whether you use the DairyBase benchmarking system or not.
Lunch will be provided - please register here by Thursday 2 May.
This will be a great day to link up with local farmers and discuss the topics that matter.
With drying off just around the corner, our decisions now can greatly impact next season.
Topics to include:
Come along, bring a neighbour. Lunch will be provided.
Culling priorities, rotation lengths and drying off strategies will all be up for discussion!
Lunch kindly provided by ANZ Bank.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to reduce the risk of spreading a disease, pest or weed.
Please check back closer to the time for more specific topics.
This group discusses and investigates the farm system on the host farm to help identify opportunities and solutions that meet the hosts goals and objectives. It is an open forum that draws on the experiences of all its members.
We will also discuss seasonal issues and challenges that are affecting farmers in the region.
Topics for discusion:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
It’s time to swap the gumboots and overalls with a paint brush and wine!
Come join us for our very own ‘Paint and Sip’ evening. The perfect night out to catch up with others, get off farm for a few hours, and have a bit of fun.
All the materials you need to create your masterpiece will be supplied on the night along with some nibbles and a complementary drink on arrival to get those creative juices pumping! A cash bar will also be available to continue the sipping whilst you paint.
We hope to see at the Waihi RSA (in town)
Event timings: Arrival: from 6pm | Start: 6.30pm
Cost $30.00
Get off farm and experience something new in Northland!
This unique event allows you the rare opportunity to observe first hand the extraction process of active ingredients from tea tree.
From how the tree is harvested, to the different processes to get to the wax, this is a morning for anyone who wants to experience something fun and new!
Whether a morning to yourself, or with family/friends, this event is open to all who want to experience something different this May.
This event is FREE to attend.
Event timings:
Start – 9:30am
Finish – 11:30am
Pasture Summit is holding two on farm events this Autumn, hosted by farmers for farmers, with input from dairy sector specialists, sharing ideas and developments on achieving profitable dairy food production from grass. We’re in the business of turning grass to milk to cash - it’s our key competitive advantage. Our host farmers are focused on achieving strong bottom-line financial performance and growth. They will present their costs and returns and discuss their farm management strategy to drive profit now and into the future.
Sam and Jenna Hodsell are our local hosts for this on farm field day. They are HOSM 50/50 in their 6th season.
The field day is also supported by Kevin Macdonald, Farm Systems Scientist and Dr Susanne Meier, DairyNZ Senior Scientist and herd reproduction specialist covering an in depth update on science and research into herd reproductive performance in New Zealand along with Sam and Jenna sharing what they do and their results being achieved along side Daniel and Emily Woolsey.
The event will be rounded out with Lynaire Ryan leading a panel discussion on current / recent local farmers career progression and pathways along side their equity growth.
Lunch provided and all are welcome to attend.
Registration is essential: Home | Pasture Summit | Grazing | By farmers for farmers | New Zealand
Join us for a First Aid on Farms course!
This course has been tailored for our members by Practical Training Solutions in consultation with farmers. It was developed based on a First Aid Needs Assessment for New Zealand dairy farms to meet WorkSafe compliance requirements. This practical first aid training will focus on scenario work, covering the most likely first aid emergencies encountered on farms. It is designed for everyone working on your farm.
What will be covered:
Important Information:
Limited spaces available
Bring your own lunch
Tea and coffee provided
Participants will receive a first aid certificate
Event timings:
Registration – 9:45am
Start – 10:00 am
Finish – 2:30pm
Cost: $165.00
RSVP: Tuesday 30 April
Are you interested in achieving top farm performance to support your farming and family goals?
DairyNZ Economists and farm system specialists have undertaken an analysis of Bay of Plenty farms’ financial, physical and environmental data over the last 15 years and also an in-depth analysis of the 2022/23 season.
Jenny Ritchie and Moana Puha will present the conclusions, correlations and key profit drivers from this analysis followed by a Q&A session.
This will be an interactive event with lots of time for discussion.
You are very welcome to attend whether you use the DairyBase benchmarking system or not.
Lunch will be provided.
Culling priorities, rotation lengths and drying off strategies will all be up for discussion!
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to reduce the risk of spreading a disease, pest or weed.
We will focus on what makes the farm system work
Fonterra Scope 3 and Profitability
Come and join us for an update from Ngai Tahu Farming on the regenerative agriculture trial and the Ngai Tahu Farming environmental journey.
Topics covered will include;
Please register to attend this event on the NZIPIM website
Did you know that farm financial statements can be one of the most useful and also one of the least used
reports for many farming businesses?
Through Module One, you will gain an understanding of how to read and interpret these reports and what they can tell you about your business.
Your bank is a key stakeholder in your business.
This workshop will explore how banks assess you and your business along with sharing a number of tips to help make this important relationship as beneficial as possible.
This workshop is a collaboration between Rabobank and ESAI and is open to anyone to attend no matter who you bank with.
Registration for this FREE event is through Rabobank. Please click on the link and follow instructions indicating that you want to attend the workshop at Lakeside Hall in Leeston.
This online Greenhouse Gas Seminars is designed to expand your understanding of climate change, why agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are important in New Zealand, how they can be estimated within the farm system, and how they can be reduced on different farms.
Join us for a First Aid on Farms course!
This course has been tailored for our members by Practical Training Solutions in consultation with farmers. It was developed based on a First Aid Needs Assessment for New Zealand dairy farms to meet WorkSafe compliance requirements. This practical first aid training will focus on scenario work, covering the most likely first aid emergencies encountered on farms. It is designed for everyone working on your farm.
What will be covered:
Important Information:
Limited spaces available
Bring your own lunch
Tea and coffee provided
Participants will receive a first aid certificate
Event timings:
Registration – 9:45am
Start – 10:00 am
Finish – 2:30pm
Cost: $165.00
RSVP: Tuesday 30 April
We will meet at Andrews and travel to each persons farm to condition score and discuss dry-off management.
Topics for discusion:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed
Take some well deserved time out and grab a friend for an evening of self care!
Joined by Anna Thompson from Health Down South, she will be sharing her knowledge on how to properly look after our pelvic floor as well as teaching some Pilates to help with core strength.
A complimentary drink and nibbles will be provided on the night, as well as a cash bar for additional drinks.
A limited number of mats will be available to borrow, so please bring with you your own yoga mat or a beach towel as an alternative.
This event is brought to you by A2 Milk.
Event Timing: Start – 6.30pm | Finish – 9.00pm
RSVP: 6 May
Join us for a First Aid on Farms course!
This course has been tailored for our members by Practical Training Solutions in consultation with farmers. It was developed based on a First Aid Needs Assessment for New Zealand dairy farms to meet WorkSafe compliance requirements. This practical first aid training will focus on scenario work, covering the most likely first aid emergencies encountered on farms. It is designed for everyone working on your farm.
What will be covered:
Important Information:
Limited spaces available
Bring your own lunch
Tea and coffee provided
Participants will receive a first aid certificate
Event timings:
Registration – 9:45am
Start – 10:00 am
Finish – 2:30pm
Cost: $165.00
RSVP: Tuesday 30 April
Come along and hear what Aidan is doing on his farm.
We'll talk about:
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
🎭 Get ready to laugh your boots off! 🤣 Join Farmstrong and the Rural Support Trust BOP at the Comedy Night Show in Rotorua.
Featuring an all-star lineup with Tarun Mohanbhai, El Jaguar, Sera Devcich, and Tevita Manukia, it's guaranteed to be a night full of hilarity and good vibes.
Bring along your mates, partner, neighbors, or treat your hardworking workers to a well-deserved night out. Tickets are only $20, which includes a delicious BBQ before the show.
Don't miss out on the fun! Grab your tickets now. Please note, this is an R18 event. 🎟️🍔
Join us on the Goodhue farm for our Autumn group.
We will be discussing topics relevant to the farm and the season including:
Come along, bring a neighbour. Lunch provided!
'The Future is Golden'. Join us for an enriching experience as we celebrate the golden era of Jersey cows and their pivotal role in shaping the dairy landscape. Hear from industry leaders and inspirational speakers, along with viewing a quality Jersey herd.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability. Join DairyNZ and Open Country Dairy for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
Topics to be covered include:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Open Country Dairy suppliers in the region only. Please RSVP Tegan Pope 027 808 3411 to help our sponsors cater for you.
For DairyNZ, working in partnership with our farmers will allow us to discover practical solutions which we can harness to make our local milk a leader in sustainability. Join DairyNZ and Open Country Dairy for our first combined introduction to on-farm sustainability, focused on finding the tools for our farmers.
Topics to be covered include:
This toolbox series will run for 90 minutes and is open to all Open Country Dairy suppliers in the region only. Please RSVP Tegan Pope 027 808 3411 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Do you require a Worksafe Certified Handler Certificate for your agri-chemical use on farm?
Do you need to renew your Growsafe Certificate?
Do your farm staff need their Growsafe Certificate?
Ellesmere Sustainable Agriculture and Educhem are providing these qualifications at a subsidised rate for our members and their staff and families.
Non-members are also eligible for discounts.
Food & refreshments will be provided.
Registration for this event is essential. Prices on application.
Join us for an evening of gorgeous food platters, galpals, bubbles, and glorious painting.
Whether you fancy yourself as the next Picasso or prefer drawing in stickmen, grab your friends and join us for an evening of creativity! Get your pink on, take a brush in one hand, a drink in the other, and let’s paint.
No painting skills necessary, just have fun!
Theme: wear pink, white or red or whatever you like!
What’s included in your ticket: Canvas, materials, snacks and a glass of bubbles
Event timing: Doors open: 6.30pm | Start 7.00pm | Finish 9.00pm
RSVP: 9 May
Registration is essential
Join us for a fun social lunch filled with lot’s of PINK!
Come along to meet like-minded people at our Pink Ribbon Lunch, in support of the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
This is your chance to get off-farm, catch up and enjoy delicious food with good company in support of a great cause.
This event is free to attend. Food or beverages will be at the attendees expense.
There will a silent auction and bring some coins for the raffle.
Event Timing: Start – 10.30am | Finish – 1.00pm
RSVP: 18 May
This online Greenhouse Gas Seminars is designed to expand your understanding of climate change, why agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are important in New Zealand, how they can be estimated within the farm system, and how they can be reduced on different farms.
Designed by DairyNZ and delivered by specialists, the Mark and Measure course is relevant for any stage of the business journey, making it suitable for farm owners, contract milkers, and herd-owning or variable order sharemilkers.
Course cost:
The course cost is $900 per individual or $1800 for couples/partnerships
More about the course, price inclusions and discounts here
This online Greenhouse Gas Seminars is designed to expand your understanding of climate change, why agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are important in New Zealand, how they can be estimated within the farm system, and how they can be reduced on different farms.
Join us on farm to discuss all things mastitis! This will be an interactive workshop, catering for all levels on farm, with a focus on SCC and what is driving the numbers and trends we are seeing over the seasons.
We'all start the day off with registration, tea and coffee @ 11.00 followed by:
Everyone is welcome including farm teams and rural professionals. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP Tegan Pope 027 808 3411 to help our sponsors cater for you.
Hone your calving skills and learn the latest tips and techniques at an in-person workshop designed to build your confidence this calving season.
Delivered by Dairy Training Limited, CalvingSmart workshop are designed for those with 0 – 3 years experience on farm, equipping you with the right knowledge and skills to establish a caring, healthy and safe environment for calves.
This workshop will cover:
This hands-on training includes practising with an artificial cow and calf to help you and the farm team prepare well for calving this season.
Lunch will be provided
RegisterHERE
We will also be rounding off the year with our end of year prizes - so make sure you have this one in your calander!
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
Develop strong understanding of tools, discuss the why, policy and hedging strategy, and interactive ‘how it works’.
This event is brought to you by NZX, Fonterra and SGX
Hone your calving skills and learn the latest tips and techniques at an in-person workshop designed to build your confidence this calving season.
Delivered by Dairy Training Limited, CalvingSmart workshop are designed for those with 0 – 3 years experience on farm, equipping you with the right knowledge and skills to establish a caring, healthy and safe environment for calves.
This workshop will cover:
This hands-on training includes practising with an artificial cow and calf to help you and the farm team prepare well for calving this season.
Register HERE
Hone your calving skills and learn the latest tips and techniques at an in-person workshop designed to build your confidence this calving season.
Delivered by Dairy Training Limited, CalvingSmart workshop are designed for those with 0 – 3 years experience on farm, equipping you with the right knowledge and skills to establish a caring, healthy and safe environment for calves.
This workshop will cover:
This hands-on training includes practising with an artificial cow and calf to help you and the farm team prepare well for calving this season.
Lunch will be provided
Registerhere
Hamish and Ella Ferguson are working with DairyNZ to improve profitability whilst reducing their environmental footprint.
This field day will be a chance to see what is going well and what areas the business can improve to achieve their business and personal goals.
Join us on farm where we will discuss:
This will be an insightful and informative event. Grab your neighbour and come along.
Lunch will be provided.
Develop strong understanding of tools, discuss the why, policy and hedging strategy, and interactive ‘how it works’.
This event is brought to you by NZX, Fonterra and SGX
The teams from Our Land and Water National Science Challenge and Taranaki Catchment Communities bring to you a range of speakers to present practical science research for farmers.
You are invited to join this informative day looking at the role of rural communities in the sustainable future of our primary sector and explore local scenarios with practical applications you can use in your everyday work. These events offer an opportunity to delve into independent research discoveries and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Leading independent researchers will each give a brief outlook of opportunities, some threats, and current (and future) signals in our markets.
If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Tessa Tate tessa@taranakicc.nz
Doors open at 10.30am for a 11am start.
Lunch provided
Angeleigh Young is kindly hosting our end of season group!
We havent been to see Ange for a few years so make sure you come along.
We will have our end of season prizes to give away so make sure you mark this date in your calander!
Lunch will be provided.
Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.
To wrap up the season we are heading to the Opunake Bowling Club. We will hear how everyone's season has gone and celebrate with a friendly game of bowls.
We will also have our end of year prizes so make sure you come along to this one!!
Lunch will be provided.
Designed by DairyNZ and delivered by specialists, the Mark and Measure course is relevant for any stage of the business journey, making it suitable for farm owners, contract milkers, and herd-owning or variable order sharemilkers.
Course cost:
The course cost is $900 per individual or $1800 for couples/partnerships
More about the course, price inclusions and discounts here
Annual Dinner and Awards evening for current Miraka Suppliers
Annual Dinner and season celebration for Fonterra Owners/Farmers
Kick off the start to the new dairy season with a meet and greet. Join us for a social community free BBQ!
We would like to invite all new rural community members and current members from Manawatu, Horowhenua & Rangitīkei regions to have the chance to interact with our network partners, rural support trust, Federated Farmers and the the Young farmers groups in your region.
Invite a neighbour or a friend to come along or even if you know someone new in the area, get them along too.
Timing: Start: 4.00pm | Finish: 9pm
RSVP: 18 June
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.
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.
With Calving just around the corner, This will be a good chance for the group to get together.
Richard has been thinking about a few things for the coming season.
Topics will include:
I will put together a quiz for the group to have some fun
Lunch provided
Annual Dinner and season celebration for Fonterra Owners/Farmers
Annual Dinner and season celebration for Fonterra Owners/Farmers
A range of seasonally relevant topics TBC
Everyone welcome – lunch provided
A range of seasonally relevant topics TBC
Everyone welcome – lunch provided
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.
