The two-day conference at Nelson’s Rutherford Hotel, starting on March 20, 2013, is themed Taking down the boundary fences. Chief executive Sarah Speight hopes the conference programme will inspire dairy women to look outside the boundaries of their farms.
“The dairy industry is constantly changing and under scrutiny from people outside the rural sector,” says Speight. “As dairying women we can foster the understanding between our rural and urban colleagues that we want to and can look after the land, our animals and our people, while having sustainable businesses.”
The first of three keynote speakers, Hinerangi Edwards, kicks off the conference speaking about the diversity of New Zealand’s dairy industry.
Edwards is a trustee of Taranaki-based charitable trust Parininihi Ki Waitotara (PKW ) Inc whose farming enterprise, PKW Farms Ltd, produces 2.3 million kgMS/year.
King Country tourism operator Dan Steele will follow. Steele believes in farmers and conservationists working together.
Eight workshops during the two days will include topics from profitable nutrition and cow behaviour to time management strategies and leadership mentoring.
Drysdale will close the conference talking about how dairy farming can be just as demanding as chasing an Olympic dream.
The network has a new industry partner and conference sponsor, farm nutrient management specialist Ballance Agri-Nutrients. Ballance general manager of Agro-Science and Marketing, Liz Muller, says the cooperative recognises one of the biggest issues facing dairy farmers is learning how to manage within nutrient loss limits.
“We bring our expertise on managing nutrients on farm to this partnership with the Dairy Women’s Network and provide farmers with viable options for working through these challenging times and for their continued success.”
The second Dairy Woman of the Year award winner will be announced at the conference gala dinner. The winner will be awarded a position on the prestigious Women in Leadership 12 month course run by Global Women, which is valued at $25,000. The award is sponsored by Fonterra Milk Supply and nominations are currently being sought.
Registrations for the conference are now open and all women who work in the dairying industry can register at www.dwn.co.nz
