Top quality advice for farmers

Nearly 100 exhibitors from across New Zealand have signed up to display most of the products and services available to dairy farmers, who will get to consult with industry experts and accredited system designers. 

Doors open from 8.30am to 4pm on both days and attendance is free. 

A ticket-only social evening from 4.30pm on the first day will allow farmers and exhibitors to mix and enjoy a meal and early evening show by comedy duo The Bitches’ Box. Tickets are $45 via this link.

Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson says the casual evening event is open to all. 

The topical seminars on both days will be valuable for farmers wanting to know more about system design and compliance requirements. 

The seminars will be led by staff from expo sponsors DairyNZ and Fonterra. Topics include best management practice, effluent storage and system design, and calculating storage size with examples for small herds or larger options. 

Primary Industries Minister Damien O’Connor will visit in the afternoon of Tuesday, November 27, and will participate in a 30 minute Q & A session from 3.50pm to 4.20pm with Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins. 

Food and coffee stalls will open on both days from 8.30am to 4pm.

Seminar highlights

- Sustainability and the future of Good Management Practice / Farm Environment Plans / Dairying for tomorrow strategy-  Charlotte Rutherford, general manager sustainable dairying – Fonterra.

- The importance of adequately sized effluent storage and an insight into the Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator (DESC) - Logan Bowler environmental extension specialist – DairyNZ.

- Making storage work for you; everyday confidence in effluent application using ReGen’s live dashboard and technology on farm. Joel Hensman, senior strategic business development manager, Regen.

- Water efficiency on dairy farms and the importance of water metering, Caleb Higham, DairyNZ.