Science coming second in water decisions
Emotions and values now come first in water quality assessment and science comes second, says a water quality specialist with DairyNZ, Tom Stephens.
Registrations of interest have opened for DairyNZ's popular Progression Groups taking place nationwide in 2013.
Since their launch, specialist discussion groups Biz Start and Biz Grow, have attracted more than 500 dairy farm managers, sharemilkers and owners, who are keen to build their skills and progress their career in the dairy industry.
Attendees at one of the first Biz Grow groups, Russell and Charlotte Heald (lower order sharemilkers from Central Hawke's Bay) said the group was particularly good for meeting others who also want to get ahead and achieve more.
"It's good for networking and developing skills outside of the day-to-day farm work. We've now got better understanding in a range of areas, including managing multiple sharemilking jobs, human resources and staff issues, and cashflow budgeting – it's all good learning for the future," says Russell. There are two groups catering for different career stages.
Biz Start is designed for lower order sharemilkers, herd managers and farm managers with content focused on building business and people management skills to equip them for senior level management positions or running their own farm business.
Biz Grow is designed for sharemilkers, equity partners or new farm owners. Sessions focus on strategic, financial and performance management skills and resources to equip participants for greater equity holding or owning their own farm business.
Groups will be available throughout the country depending on farmer interest. They use a discussion group format with participants meeting regularly during the year. Practical exercises are a big part of the content, aimed at growing the skills and experience of participants, and the groups also interact with other farmers, rural professionals and industry experts.
For more information, to register interest, or recommend a team member, visit dairynz.co.nz/progressiongroups or phone 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969).
Lydia Goodman has been crowned the Central Otago 2025 Young Grower of the Year regional winner.
Federated Farmers is calling on the Government to deliver on its pre-election promise to change the KiwiSaver rules to help young farmers get their foot on the farming ladder.
A breakthrough in the understanding of Facial Eczema (FE) in livestock could bring New Zealand closer to reducing the disease’s impact.
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) have announced the dates for the 2025 Red Meat Sector Conference.
A Massey University researcher and veterinarian says it may be possible to reduce the percentage of ewes culled or that die each year on some New Zealand farms.
As Budget 2025 looms, farmer lobby Federated Farmers is urging the Government to focus on cutting waste and balancing the books.
OPINION: Last week's announcement of Prime Minister’s new Science and Technology Advisory Council hasn’t gone down too well in the…
OPINION: At its recent annual general meeting, Federated Farmers’ Auckland province called for New Zealand to withdraw from the Paris…