Dairy power
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.
Building on the success of last year's events, the opportunity to attend People Expos is back for 2025, offering farmers the chance to be inspired and gain more tips and insights for their toolkits to support their people on farm.
Dairy Women's Network and DairyNZ are partnering again to deliver four People Expo events across the country, this year coming to Oamaru, Ashburton, Hawera and Hamilton.
"If you're a dairy farmer that employs or manages people, join us at one of the People Expo symposiums to hear from thought leaders on what's needed to help tackle the big issues in empowering people for a productive workplace," says DairyNZ.
"You'll gain insights from experts, can connect with other farmers facing the same challenges, and come away armed with inspiration and practical tips to put in action with your farm team.
"While leading people can be tough, it is also necessary for good farm business management, and highly rewarding when you get it right. The People Expo events can bring you the information to better understand workforce dynamics, ideas on actions you can take right now and inspiration to get you going.
"Carefully designed in a fun and enjoyable format for farm employers, managers, rural professionals and aspiring leaders, each event connects farmers and experts to share knowledge and ideas."
Events are free to attend, and lunch is provided. Find out more and register online at dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo
Speakers Lineup
Shamubeel Eaqub - leading economist
Shamubeel will speak to global, national, and regional economic and workforce trends and outline why farm businesses must act differently to stay successful and attract and keep people.
Jeremy Duckmanton - DMT Dairies Ltd
As a 50/50 sharemilker of 1,900 cows over two farms, Mid Canterbury dairy farmer Jeremy Duckmanton will talk to his farming journey and approach to achieving productivity gains through different technologies and data.
Kim and Will Grayling - Singletree Dairies Limited
As equity partners in one of Canterbury's largest dairy farming businesses, Kim and Will Grayling (Singletree Dairies Limited) share their experience creating a productive farm business through leadership.
James Allen - AgFirst director
James will talk to the dairy productivity story, including trends in New Zealand and worldwide, and the implications of these for farmers.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.