Wednesday, 10 July 2024 08:55

'A roaring success'

Written by  Staff Reporters
Jonathon and Stacey Hoets with their two children. Jonathon and Stacey Hoets with their two children.

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.

More like this

Keynote speakers lined up

SIDE 2024 organisers have secured some key speakers for the event. Here are four of the keynote speakers:

Featured

Editorial: NZ's great China move

OPINION: The New Zealand red meat sector, with support from the Government, has upped the ante to retain and expand its niche in the valuable Chinese market - and the signs are looking positive.

Wool-derived protein eyes $2b market

Keratin extracted from New Zealand wool could soon find its way into products used to minimise osteoporosis, promote gut health, and other anti-inflammatories, says Keraplast chief executive Howard Moore.

Strong uptake of good wintering practices

DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.

Winter grazing warning

Every time people from overseas see photographs of cows up to their hocks in mud it's bad for New Zealand.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter