December 20 – Entries close for the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, including Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year. For more information or to enter online, visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
January 29-31 – New Zealand Dairy Event at Manfeild Park in Feilding showcases dairy genetics from around the country. It features five breeds of cattle analysed by international judges for the various categories, plus trade displays that include some of the newest technologies and genetics available in the dairy industry. For further information visit www.nzdairyevent.com.
February 12-14 – The biennial Southern Field Days are held at Waimumu near Gore, showing the latest equipment, technology and ideas. For full details visit www.southernfielddays.co.nz.
February 14 – Entries close for the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer of the Year Award designed to encourage and develop leadership for the next generation of Maori farmers. Visit www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz.
February 18 – Milksmart 2014 begins in North Waikato and heads through the country. The DairyNZ workshops have new sessions this year including water smart use, managing mastitis and plant optimisation. Other sessions cover stockmanship, cow senses and milking strategies. More details at www.milksmart.co.nz.
Dates/regions: North Waikato February 18February 20February 25 February 27March 4March 6March 11March 13March 18March 20.
February 18-20 – Nutrient management for the farm, catchment and community workshop at Massey University in Palmerston North. The themes for this year’s Fertiliser and Lime Research Centre workshop encompass improving nutrient use efficiency and understanding the wider perspectives. Visit www.massey.ac.nz/~flrc/workshops.html.
February 20-21 – The second conference on biological farming systems will be held at Rydges Hotel, Rotorua. The conference will provide a forum for discussion of a wide range of topics for current and future biological farming systems research, and an open day for the Rotorua public on Saturday February 22, to promote biological farming concepts to the general public. For further information contact Professor Guna Magesan 021 034 5621 or email biologicalfarming.systems@gmail.com
February 25-27 – The Australian Dairy Conference in Geelong, Victoria, has speakers to inspire the industry as well as a trade show. Find out more at www.australiandairyconference.com.au.
February 27-March 1 – Northland Field Days has the most recent farming innovations and technology. www.northlandfielddays.co.nz
