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Are you a dairy farmer that employs or manages people?

Join us at one of the People Expo symposiums for the opportunity to hear from thought leaders on what’s needed to help tackle the big issues in empowering people for a productive workplace. You’ll gain insights from experts, have the opportunity to connect with other farmers facing the same challenges, and come away armed with inspiration and practical tips to put in action for your farm team.

DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s network have once again partnered to deliver these People Expos across the country, this year coming to Oamaru, Ashburton, Hawera and Hamilton.

The events are free to attend, but registration is essential. Lunch is provided.

Register below for a People Expo near you

Location Date/Time Registration link
Brydone Hotel
115 Thames Street
Oamaru
Tuesday 11 March
9.30am-2.15pm
Register here
Hotel Ashburton
11/35 Racecourse Road
Ashburton
Thursday 13 March
9.30am-2.15pm
Register here
Tairoa Lodge
3 Puawai Street
Hawera
Tuesday 1 April
9.30am-2.15pm
Register here
Jet Park Hotel
Hamilton
Wednesday 2 April
9.30am-2.15pm
Register here

More about the speakers

Shamubeel Eaqub – leading economist

Shamubeel will speak to global, national, and regional economic and workforce trends and outline why farm businesses must act differently to stay successful and attract and keep people. How do we continue to drive the productivity and efficiency which New Zealand’s dairy story has been built on?

Jeremy Duckmanton - DMT Dairies Ltd

As a 50/50 sharemilker of 1900 cows over two farms, Mid-Canterbury dairy farmer Jeremy Duckmanton will share his farming journey and approach to achieving productivity gains through different technologies and data. Hear more about how Jeremy has supported his farm team in adopting new technologies to set the farm business up for success.

Kim and Will Grayling - Singletree Dairies Limited

As equity partners in one of Canterbury’s largest dairy farming businesses, Kim and Will Grayling (Singletree Dairies Limited) share their experience creating a productive farm business through leadership. Hear more about Kim and Will’s approach to leadership, creating opportunities for growth that benefits both their farm team, as well as the future of the farm business.

James Allen - AgFirst director

James will talk to the dairy productivity story, including trends in New Zealand and worldwide, and the implications of these for farmers. Hear about the future role of Agri-tech and AI in farming, and what this could mean for what the farmer of the future will look like. What changes in skills and capabilities of the broader farm team will be required, and how do we set up for success?

Frequently asked questions

How will this event benefit me and my business?

The People Expo is about giving you information to better understand workforce dynamics, ideas on actions you can take right now and inspiration to get you going. Leading people is tough, it is also necessary for good farm business management, and highly rewarding when you get it right. The People Expo can help set you, or get you back, on the right path.

Who should attend?

All dairy farmers and rural professionals who support dairy farmers are welcome.

The people who will benefit most are:

  • Business owners (including those who may not be involved in the day to day running of the farm)
  • Employers of farm staff
  • Managers keen to further their leadership skills to lead their team(s)
  • 2ICs and aspiring/new people managers
  • Employees who consider themselves future leaders

How is the day structured?

The day is designed to challenge, inspire and inform. It is fast paced because your time is valuable. The programme beings at 10am. Registration is from 9.30am and the day will finish at 2.15pm.

Time Session Presenter
9.30am Registration  
10.00am Welcome and intro Jules Benton - Dairy Women's Network
Jane Muir - DairyNZ
10.10am Understanding the workforce challenge: Learn why people are the most valuable part of a productive business and why businesses must act differently to attract and keep them. Shamubeel Eaqub - leading economist
11.10am Making it happen: Be inspired by three farmers who will share two different stories and approaches to achieving and maintaining productivity within their farm businesses. Kim and Will Grayling - Singletree Dairies Limited
Jeremy Duckmanton - 50/50 sharemilker
12.15pm Lunch  
1.00pm Looking ahead: Hear about the role of Agri-tech and AI, and what this means for people farming in the future. James Allen - AgFirst director
1.50pm Sparking ideas and inspiration: Connect with other farmers, rural professionals and experts to share your experiences, tips and ideas.  
2.00pm Wrap up  
2.15pm Finish  

Is it free to attend?

Yes, the People Expo is hosted by DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network and is free to attend as the costs are covered by the milksolids levy.

Lunch is also provided at no cost.

Why are DairyNZ and Dairy Women's Network running these People Expos?

The People Expos support initiatives outlined in the Great Futures in Dairying plan which is a cross-sector plan developed to build a resilient workforce for the future.

The plan launched in June 2022 and calls for cultural change and a shift in focus, from attracting new talent to the sector to supporting the productivity of our people, looking after the capable and skilled workforce we already have, and radically improving workforce retention.

New Zealand’s workforce trends mean the dairy sector needs to be forward-thinking and developing fresh ideas to be competitive and attract and keep the right people. So DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network have partnered to offer dairy farmers an opportunity to hear from, and ask questions of, experts to help tackle the big issues in powering productive workplaces in the dairy sector.

Read more about the Great Futures in Dairying Plan

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