DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said the biennial event would this year focus on market issues outside the farmgate and how dairy farming could be competitive and responsible in a changing world.
“There are a number of global and domestic challenges facing farmers in the near future, so this year we’ll be discussing our competitive edge as an industry, as well as giving some practical onfarm advice,” he said.
Day one keynote speakers include Fonterra chairman John Wilson, Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler and McDonald’s Corporation’s Lisa Isaacs.
Day two’s keynote speaker is Minister for Economic Development, Steven Joyce and there will be a farmer panel discussing what they learnt from their experiences as regional focus farms in Northland, Hauraki and Bay of Plenty.
DairyNZ senior leaders, scientists and farm system experts will also speak.
“DairyNZ’s general manager for development and extension, David McCall, went on a fact-finding trip to the United States last year,” Mackle said.
“He’ll be talking on how the US is our biggest competitor in export dairy markets.”
There will also be 12 workshops.
“The workshop topics range from getting involved in decision-making on environmental controls and how to strengthen the farm business, right through to automatic milking, how to grow great teams and succeed with high-input farm systems.”
Mackle said the forum would also share the results of DairyNZ’s latest scientific work to help farmers discover new ideas, tools and techniques to manage risks to their business.
Farmers could cast their vote on the milksolids levy referendum at the forum.
The DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum is free to levy paying dairy farmers and their staff.
The fee for others is $100 for one day and $175 for two.
Registration is essential before the event.
To view the full programme or register, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/farmersforum.
