The 4th International Precision Dairy Farming Conference, the first to be hosted by NZ, will bring experts from 24 countries. Delivered by DairyNZ in collaboration with leading research and industry partners, the three-day event arrives at a pivotal moment as sustainable dairy growth becomes a key focus for policymakers and farmers alike.
The conference in Christchurch will feature farm visits showing diverse and innovative precision technologies in action, 120 accepted submissions covering cutting-edge science and practical applications and keynote sessions and farmer panels exploring research, adoption strategies, investment considerations, and system integration.
"DairyNZ is proud to show leadership in applied science, with this conference delivering for both farmers and scientists. We are bringing together dairy farmers, researchers, rural professionals and agri-tech innovators," says Nico Lyons, DairyNZ head of science.
"We're showcasing tools and insights grounded in farm reality, backed by research, and ready to support better decisions on-farms."
Experts will present on topics such as animal monitoring, sensor technology, and data use, alongside local farmers sharing their experiences with precision approaches in pasture management, reproduction, animal health, and labour efficiency.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown says several leading companies are supporting the conference, including Halter, CowManager, and DeLaval as well as other industry partners.
"By combining world-class science with practical farmer experience, our goal is to help farmers get the best out of their systems - such as increased productivity, improved animal care, or greater environmental gains," says Brown.
International keynote speakers include Professor David Rose (Harper Adams University, UK) covering the role of social science for precision dairy research, Assistant Professor Joao Dorea (University of Wisconsin-Madison, US) on artificial intelligence and machine learning, and Dr Claudia Kamphuis (Wageningen University, Netherlands) on digital twins and use of drones in grazing systems.
Registrations are now open for farmers - with dairy farmers able to access a discount via Early Bird registration - and for researchers, students, and sector professionals at: precisiondairyfarmingconference.nz/registration.
