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 be in touch. You can either sign up to receive support, or sign up to register as a support farmer.

This confidential service is available to all farmers; owners, sharemilkers, managers, contract milkers, and farm assistants.

Sign up here

How does Dairy Connect work?

Farmer registers for Dairy Connect A farmer contacts Dairy Connect. The farmer and Dairy Connect Manager discusses their connection needs.	A match is made The Dairy Connect manager identifies a good match on the support database and rings the support farmer to confirm their availability.	Support farmer makes contact The farmer-to-farmer relationship starts here with the support farmer contacting the enquiring farmer.	Dairy Connect manager follows up Within two weeks, the Dairy Connect manager follows up with the enquiring farmer to ensure the topic has been satisfied and offer further assistance if necessary.

Support areas

Our areas of support include, but are not limited to:

• Animals

  • Improving reproductive performance
  • Overcoming an animal health issue
  • Managing cows through the winter
  • Rearing youngstock
  • Milking intervals e.g OAD/16hrs
  • Breeding

• Pasture and Feed

  • Pasture renovation
  • Nutrient management
  • New crop or excellent crop yields
  • Pasture monitoring and budgeting tools
  • Managing pasture weeds and/or pests
  • Using supplements

• Farm Environment

  • Setting up or upgrading an effluent system
  • Farm infrastructure changes - e.g. feed pad, wintering homes, milking shed improvements
  • Irrigation
  • Water use and management
  • Plantings

• People

  • Staff recruitment and orientation
  • Retaining staff
  • Creating more efficient milking routines
  • Creating a practical farm manual
  • Farm health & safety
  • Dealing with depression or workplace stress
  • Having students or short term workers
  • Networking groups or neighbourhood support systems

• Business

  • Setting goals and strategies for the future
  • Developing and monitoring cashflows and budgets
  • Positioning yourself for future career opportunities
  • Succession planning
  • DairyBase

Support farmers

Our Dairy Connect farmers want to encourage others in the industry by sharing their experiences, both good and bad. Many of our support farmers have themselves benefited from mentors and are keen to return the favour to those who are seeking more information. 

• 

  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)

• 

  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)

• 

  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)

• 

  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)

• 

  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)

• 

  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)

• 

  Barry Thorne

  Whangarei dairy farmer Barry Thorne has spent a lifetime in farming and has experience in full autumn calving.

• 

  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).

• 

  David Hosking

  David was born and raised on a dairy farm but comes to the industry from a corporate and business consulting background.