Keynote speakers lined up
SIDE 2024 organisers have secured some key speakers for the event. Here are four of the keynote speakers:
Organisers of the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2024 say it was a ‘roaring success’, with over 400 attendees.
SIDE held its 25th event at Lincoln University in Canterbury last month.
Event committee chair of SIDE 2024, Jonathon Hoets says the event is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about fostering innovation and pushing boundaries.
“The dairy industry is constantly evolving and events like this are crucial in helping farmers adapt to change.”
One of the highlights of SIDE 2024 was the participation of BrightSIDE attendees. Abby Rawcliffe, the BrightSIDE coordinator, emphasised that young attendees play a vital role in shaping the future of the dairy sector.
“Empowering our youth to take on roles within the industry is essential for its longevity,” says Rawcliffe.
“BrightSIDE provides a platform for students and young farmers to ignite curiosity and ambition among young individuals in the industry, connect with experienced professionals, and learn some hands-on skills.”
The conference featured a lineup of keynote speakers, including former Australian SAS medic Dan Pronk, Jeremy Hill, Fonterra, farmer Siobhan O’Malley, and economist Cameron Bagrie. Attendees also enjoyed a field trip to Ashley Dene and Lincoln University Research Farms, and informative sessions with workshops and panels covering a wide range of topics.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is…
OPINION: Once upon a time the Fieldays were for real farmers, salt of the earth people who thrived on hard…