Sustainable Dairy Growth

Jon and Birgit Pemberton are converting a neighbouring organic sheep farm to complement and expand their existing dairy platform in Southland. 

They will share: 

• How they approached the conversion decision 
• Planning and sequencing a complex project 
• Building a new 54‑bale rotary, feed pad and silage pad 
• Installing solar to support energy efficiency and long‑term costs 
• Designing and integrating a large wetland to manage nutrients for consents 
• The trade‑offs between capital spend, simplicity and environmental outcomes   

We’ve brought together experts to cover the 101s of modern dairy conversion, with a clear focus on what farmers need to know before committing. 

• Jade Fitzek – Landpro 
• Aslan Wright-Stow - Open Country Dairy
• Haley Fitchett – Environment Southland
• Ben Muir – ANZ
• Andew Collie - Livestock Supplies
• Clint Rissmann – radiometric and soil mapping for understanding landscape 
• Mike Casey – Rewiring Aotearoa
• Tim Campbell – NES
• Louise Dennison - Hokonui Rūnanga 
• Cain Duncan – FarmSource
• Ben Febery & Jacob Smyth - Fish & Game
• Justin Kitto - DairyNZ

This event is for, Dairy farmers considering conversion, expansion or system redesign, sheep & beef farmers exploring land‑use change and rural professionals who support farmers with environmental decisions and consenting.

Protect our industry - please arrive with clean boots to prevent the spread of disease, pest or weed.