September 19-November 21 – Entries close around the country for the 2015 Regional Ballance Farm Environment Awards. For full details on the awards and entry forms, visit www.nzfeatrust.org.nz.
Dates/regions: Northland, October 31October 24October 24October 17September 19September 19October 24October 1October 31November 21.
September 23 – The candidates for the Fonterra directors' election will be announced following the completion of the Candidate Assessment Panel. Elections are being held for three shareholder-elected directors, two members of the Directors' Remuneration Committee, and 22 members of the Shareholders' Council.
Due to boundary changes following a Shareholder's Council review, this year there will be elections in 19 new wards, which come into existence after the 2014 elections. The number of wards will remain at 35 with one councillor in each.
The Single Transferable Vote system will be used for all election voting by internet, fax and post. To contact the returning officer, email elections@electionz.com or call Warwick Lampp on 021 498 517.
October 1-31 – New Zealand Cheese Month is a nationwide campaign including 'meet the cheesemaker' events, in-store cheese specials and promotions, tastings, and farm open days. Activities will be listed by region and regularly updated on www.cheeselovers.co.nz.
October 16 – DairyNZ's annual general meeting is being held in Timaru, 11am at The Gosvenor Hotel, 26 Cairns Terrace. The new farmer-elected board members will be announced then. Voter packs will be posted on September 16 to all registered levy payers, with voting closing on October 15. The candidates are: Donna Smit, Whakatane; Murray Jamieson, Okaihau; Greg Maughan, Marton; Jim van der Poel, Ohaupo, and Dirk Sieling, Whitianga. For further details contact the returning officer, Anthony Morton, on 0508 666 337.
October 17-November 10 – Fonterra elections take place. A director candidate roadshow will tour the country between October 28 and November 4. The returning officer can be contacted at elections@electionz.com.
October 20 – Entries open for the 2015 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards that include Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Farm Manager of the Year, and Dairy Trainee of the Year. Entries close November 30. Note these dates are earlier than previous years. For further information and entry forms, go to www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.
October 20 – Applications close for the 2015 Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. The programme brings together aspiring leaders from different industries in the primary sector to develop leadership strategic networks and thinking. Course 1 runs from January 27 to July 3. For information and application forms, visit www.kellogg.org.nz.
October 20-21 – The New Zealand Future Farms Conference looks at the changing management of farms that today require more capital, expertise, and governance to remain competitive in the future. The conference will be held at Mac's Function Centre in Wellington. To view the agenda and register visit www.conferenz.co.nz/conferences/nz-future-farms.
November 5-7 – New Zealand Grassland Association's annual conference is in Alexandra this year with the theme A land of difference – farming in extremes. Visit www.grassland.org.nz.
November 15-18 – Rural Women New Zealand's conference at the Distinction Hotel in Rotorua has the theme Straight-forward and unafraid. For the draft programme and registration, visit ruralwomen.org.nz.
November 19-21 – The 2014 Australasian Dairy Science Symposium will be held in Hamilton. There will be has keynote speakers from around the world on plant and animal sciences, productive and sustainable farm systems, and current research. For the full programme and registration visit www.adssymposium.com.au.
