West Coast resilience tested
DairyNZ head consulting officer in the South Island, Tony Finch, says his first priority has been to get an accurate assessment of the extent of the damage on farms affected by the floods.
The one-day forum, themed around 'Sustaining Success - Strategies for New Zealand Dairy Farmers to Continue Leading the World', is being held on April 29 at Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton.
Southland farmers will be able to attend a version of the forum, held at Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill, featuring a livestream of keynote speakers and local workshops also on 29 April.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the forum is a great opportunity for farmers to hear from a range of speakers about challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
"We are lucky to have some excellent keynote speakers lined up, including leading New Zealand economist Camerong Bagrie and author and television presenter Michelle Dickinson."
Bagrie will give an overview of current and future economic trends and how they will impact farmers.
Dickinson, aka Nanogirl, will discuss the role of innovation, science and technology in meeting challenges and creating practical solutions.
"The forum provides the chance for farmers to connect and take home exciting new ideas to apply on-farm to boost their productivity and sustainability," says Mackle.
"New Zealand dairy farmers can be proud of what they have achieved, but the forum provides a chance to have discussions on how we can retain our leading position."
