Dairy women on task, focussed

The Queenstown event’s general tone was not one of super-excitement, as may be experienced during a boom period in the industry, but neither was it negative, De Villiers told Dairy News.

“It was very much the mood we experience in the network generally at the moment -- on task, focused, let’s get things done, let’s talk to others about what we need to know.”

Facing challenges such as the environment, delegates looked at what lies ahead to understand what is needed to interact and connect with others in order to learn, says De Villiers. This came with the realisation that more people contributing and thinking together is better than having individuals trying to find solutions.

The conference theme ‘Connect’ came from the committee and network volunteers.

“I thought they got it right because that is where the industry is at – knowing we need to stand together, be together and learn from each other to move forward.”

The keynote speakers – Associate Minister for Primary Industries Louise Upton and entrepreneur Helen Robinson – both emphasised clarity about what you want to do in life.

“You have to realise there will be curve-balls coming. You have to authentically decide what you will do about them and stick to it. Then what you do in life needs to light your fire.”

All Blacks manager leadership Gilbert Enoka was an excellent closing speaker, says De Villiers, with the message of setting challenges high.

You need to be out of your comfort zone but not completely scared, says De Villiers, recalling his speech.

“When you’re in that space, that’s where things happen, where growth and development happen. He talked about the difference between a hunted and a hunting mindset. That was really relevant to the conference.

One can go into a hunting mindset -- you are decisive, you connect, you go forward.

“Many of the ladies in the room related to that, not only to when the industry is under strain over prices but also because of the perceptions held by the urban community. You need to be in a hunting mindset, to be clear about where you need to go.

“Curve-balls can come but [having a hunting mindset] means you stay on course. But you need the right mindset to see it through.”

The message was, aim to be neither too positive nor too negative, but clear thinking, says De Villiers.

“Gilbert related that to the All Blacks. They don’t want to be in that zone where they think they will win and suddenly they lose. They don’t want to be in a mindset where they lost half-ay through the game because they were negative either.

“You want to very clear about what happens next, what is the next thing to do, and then work as a team together.”

So that linked into the ‘Connect’ conference theme.

“That really resonated with the ladies because they are in a task mode at the moment – ‘what do we really need to do next?’”

Workshops were wide ranging -- energy and vitality, mastitis, the environment and additional income streams on farm, etc.

“They are always interesting and wide ranging, reflecting the diversity of our members and what farmers have to do: they have to look after themselves, but also rear calves and do everything else.”

Regarding the winner of Dairy Woman of the Year award (Canterbury director and shareholder Jessie Chan-Dorman), and the Dairy Community Leadership Award winner (Invercargill dairy farmer Katrina Thomas), De Villiers says she is always astonished at what these winners fit into their day.

“Their generosity in giving and then being surprised when they are acknowledged and win a prize – it is always such a great thing to see.”

Looking forward, the network is researching how it can better understand its members and how it could help them more.