Get your registrations in for SIDE 2025
Registrations are now open for the highly anticipated South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, taking place April 7-9 in Timaru.
This year’s SIDE will give farmers the opportunity to see and hear leading research, technologies and farming systems.
For the first time in its 23-year history, the two-day South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) is heading to Ashburton.
Dairy farmers are being encouraged to attend this year's SIDE event, at Ashburton's Event Centre, to take advantage of a range of practical workshops offering solutions they can apply on-farm.
SIDE chairman Andrew Slater says it aims to support farming businesses to navigate their changing environment, something highlighted by the event's theme 'Evolve'.
"The sector has come a long way and our farmers have to be proud of. But the level of change we are facing now, is unprecedented, so we need to focus on the future and keeping up with the changing climate," says Slater.
"Gone are the days of sitting behind your farm gate and continuing to do what you have always done. So much is changing, so we're all having to evolve, or we risk being left behind."
This year's SIDE will give farmers the opportunity to see and head leading research, technologies and farming systems, to build a successful future and drive sector progression, says Slater.
"We are lucky to have inspirational keynote speakers for the event, including psychiatrist and author Dr Ceri Evans, along with entrepreneur and inventor Logan Williams."
Evans will discuss how to be high performing under pressure, drawing from his work with sports teams including the All Blacks and the use of his red/blue mind model. Williams will be sharing his journey to becoming an internationally acclaimed serial inventor, entrepreneur and scientist, while providing insights around upcoming science and technology.
A range of practical, innovative farmer-focused workshops will offer farmers take-home skills around a variety of topics include cost control, getting calves off to a great start and preparing for a successful winter.
The event also features BrightSIDE, which farm assistants and 2ICs are encouraged to attend. It includes workshops to boost career progression and provides the opportunity to network with hundreds of dairy leaders who attend the SIDE conference.
Farmers are encouraged to register now for the event. For more information and to register, go to side.org.nz
SIDE 2021
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
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