If you’re thinking of trying something new on-farm, or facing challenges and would like to talk to someone with experience, sign up today and we’ll connect you with a support farmer.
This free and confidential service is available to all farmers; owners, sharemilkers, managers, contract milkers, and farm assistants.
How does Dairy Connect work?
Support areas
No topic is too small or too big for Dairy Connect. Our areas of support include, but are not limited to:
Support farmers
Our Dairy Connect farmers want to encourage others in the industry by sharing their experiences, both good and bad.
More than 400 support farmers nationwide are willing and waiting to give their time to help other farmers.
Many of our support farmers have themselves benefited from mentors and are keen to return the favour to those who are seeking more information.
Meet some of our support farmers
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John Assen
"I have benefited greatly from the advice and experience of other farmers and would like to help others in this regard, where possible." John Assen is a 50:50 sharemilker with 400 cows. (Taupiri, Waikato)
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Angela Charman
“There are always new ideas to be shared and discussed.” Originally a vet nurse, Angela is operations manager of a 1,350 Friesian cow dairy farm. (Taupo, Waikato)
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Murray and Gaye Coates
"Our desire is to return the generosity, openness, frankness and support that we received at the time of converting." Murray and Gaye are farm owners with 800 cows. (Haupiri, West Coast)
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Marco and Boogie Dela Concepcion
Born and bred in the Philippines, Marco has a University Degree in Animal Science. Marco came to New Zealand as a dairy assistant, now he and Boogie own a farm. (Southland)
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Lisa Lile
"My pet project is mental wellness." Lisa Lile has been a hands-on dairy farmer for twenty years. She comes from the hospitality industry and has worked part time off farm. (Te Awamutu, Waikato)
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Corrie and Donna Smit
"Finance and HR would be where we could offer support." Corrie and Donna own seven farms in the North and South Island totaling 3400 Friesian cows. (Edgecumbe, Bay of Plenty)
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Barry Thorne
Whangarei dairy farmer Barry Thorne has spent a lifetime in farming and has experience in full autumn calving.
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Anne-Marie Wells
"I don’t like the thought of people struggling over a problem." Anne-Marie Wells is an owner-operator with 640 cows (Outram, Otago).
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David Hosking
David was born and raised on a dairy farm but comes to the industry from a corporate and business consulting background.
