Farm better for longer on East Coast

Health and safety, freshwater reforms and energy technology are among the seminar topics billed for the expo, on April 5 and 6, at the Wairoa A&P Society showground. The seminars will complement indoor and outdoor trade exhibits.

“The seminars were a popular aspect of the inaugural expo in 2016, with attendees enjoying the variety of speakers on offer,” says expo director Dave Martin.

“We will have the same diversity of speakers this year…. The presentations will be topical to farming right now in our region so attendees will find the information helpful.”

The Gisborne power company Eastland Group, a new expo sponsor, will address the subject of emerging technology in the energy sector, says its general manager of business development, Gavin Murphy.

“Emerging technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we generate, store and use power,” Murphy says.

“Could solar be a genuine alternative? Are electric vehicles really going to become a viable option on farms? What about bio-diesel and batteries?.... We will share insights and predictions on emerging technology in the energy sector.”

James Palmer, group manager for development at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) – also an expo sponsor – will speak about ‘Freshwater reform: wading, swimming and dancing on the heads of pins’.

“The national agenda on freshwater reform is more about reform of land management than anything else, and is shaping up to be the most significant set of pressures on farming since the economic reforms of the late 1980s,” he says.

“It is important that [farmers] hear about what is happening, and why, from their regional council. I am keen to dispel a few myths and to put the reforms in a regional context.”

Lilian Sherman, an environmental engineer and consultant with Irricon Resource Solutions, will speak about the Gisborne Regional Freshwater Plan and the Tukituki Plan change, and what these mean for farming.

“For farmers in these areas there will soon be environmental limits imposed on their operations. Irricon’s seminar will help farmers understand how they can farm within these environmental limits.

Sherman’s presentation will be strong on farm environment plans, nutrient management and the Overseer programme.

Jessica Harvey, human resources consultant with Progressive Consulting, will speak about health and safety management on farms. Originally from Wairoa, she is keen to address the subjects of growth and sustainability on the region’s farms.

“With the recent changes in legislation there are increased requirements for farmers to manage health and safety effectively and there are potentially serious consequences if they don’t,” says Harvey.

“I will be discussing the key changes in the legislation and the fundamentals of a robust health and safety plan to manage this.”

The complete seminar programme will be confirmed on the expo’s website by the end of March. Other presentations will be by Red Meat Profit Partnership, Farm IQ, Crowe Horwath, Ag Knowledge and Massey University.

For more information on the expo, the Evening Muster social event, and to buy tickets to both, visit www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz