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Taranaki Dairy Event
Brought to you by DairyNZ in partnership with Dairy Trust Taranaki.
Taranaki Dairy Event
Over 150 farmers and rural professionals gathered for the first Taranaki Dairy Event, hosted by DairyNZ in partnership with Dairy Trust Taranaki.
The event was designed with farmers front and centre, offering practical takeaways, with expert speakers, farmer panels and former All Black Conrad Smith, who shared powerful lessons on resilience and performance.
Further event recap information coming soon.
About our speakers
Conrad Smith - former All Black and NZ rugby union player
One of New Zealand’s most prominent and enduring members of the All Blacks and Hurricanes backline, Hawera-born Conrad Smith has had an inspiring and diverse career to date, both on and off the rugby field. Hear more about how Conrad has managed challenge and change, and the strategies he has used to achieve his personal and professional goals.
Jana Hocken - The Lean Dairy Farm
Since working as an engineer with global brand Toyota, Jana discovered the value of ‘lean thinking’ which she has developed into The LeanFarm Project. Founded in 2017, the project supports dairy farmers to understand and apply ‘lean’ concepts to farming through continuous improvement practices and culture.
Professor Keith Cameron - Lincoln University
Supporting the next step towards providing farmers with a cost-effective tool to reduce methane emissions from effluent storage ponds, Professor Keith Cameron of Lincoln University has led the development of the innovative EcoPond effluent treatment system. Delivered in partnership with Ravensdown, the goal of EcoPond is to support farmers with new technology to reduce methane emissions.
Andrew Laming - NZAB
As a founder and director of NZAB, Andrew and has worked in the agribusiness banking and advisory industry for more than 22 years. His previous specialist roles include equity partnership formation, governance leadership, and he has become a sought-after expert in debt and interest rate structuring. Andrew has experience in both large and mid-size agribusinesses and sits on a number of New Zealand’s largest farming business advisory boards. Andrew will discuss the future of rural banking and access to capital in the agricultural sector as well as current bank lending insights in an interactive session.
Mags Bremer (Head of Science) and Diego Gomez (General Manager) - Dairy Trust Taranaki
Dairy Trust Taranaki (DTT) is conducting one of the largest farm systems trials in New Zealand addressing lower GHG emissions and N loss, while maintaining productivity and profitability. Hear from Mags and Diego about this trial and the work they are doing on other research farms.
Jane Kay - DairyNZ Principal Scientist
Jane has been involved in research since 1999 and is recognised internationally for her expertise. Her areas of research have included climate change, methane mitigation solutions, cow nutrition and ruminant physiology, once-a-day milking, and milk fat composition. Jane is passionate about using research to help farmers make profitable and sustainable decisions.
Paul Edwards - DairyNZ Senior Scientist
Paul’s research in maximising efficiency of farm systems through advancements in milking has supported positive change in the dairy sector. Widespread adoption of flexible milking among New Zealand dairy farmers is one example of work he has led that has supported farmers and the sector to progress. Paul is passionate about exploring the future of farming through research and enjoys forecasting future farm systems and engaging farmers in conversation about what lies ahead.
Jim Inglis - Strategy and Operations Manager, Beef + Lamb New Zealand
As Strategy and Operations Manager at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Jim is involved with a range of sector initiatives and is helping to drive the Dairy Beef Progeny Test (DBPT). Jim will give an update on the structure and aims of DBPT, and insights from the first 10 years of its operation.
Event programme
| Time | Session | Presenter |
| 9.30am | Registration | |
| 10.00am | Welcome | Tracy Brown | DairyNZ Chair |
| 10.10am | Access to capital in the agri-sector and current bank lending insights | Andrew Laming | NZAB |
| 10.40am | Dairy Trust Taranaki update | Mags Bremer | Dairy Trust Taranaki |
| 11.10am | Tea and coffee break | |
| 11.20am | Overview of the Dairy Beef Progeny Test | Jim Inglis | Beef + Lamb New Zealand |
| 11.35am | Panel session: Insights on milking frequency | Paul Edwards | DairyNZ Simon Lynskey | Maolla Farms Erwin Hebler | Grass to Gold Trust Helen Connole | P&H Connole |
| 12.05pm | Lunch | |
| 12.35pm | Optimising performance and managing change and challenge to achieve your goals | Conrad Smith | former All Black and NZ rugby union player |
| 1.25pm | The Lean Dairy Farm - applying 'lean' concepts to farming for continuous improvement | Jana Hocken | The Lean Dairy Farm |
| 1.55pm | Tea and coffee break | |
| 2.05pm | EcoPond - new technology supporting farmers to reduce methane emissions | Professor Keith Cameron | Lincoln University |
| 2.20pm | Panel session - Exploring farm systems | Jane Kay | DairyNZ Matt and Peggy Lawn | MPL Farms Ltd Wendy and Gavin Vanner | Spence View Farms Mags Bremer | Dairy Trust Taranaki |
| 2.50pm | Close and finish |
