DairyNZ's first farmers' forum for 2020 well received

Content brought to you by DairyNZ.

DairyNZ's Farmers' Forums are once again underway for 2020, with the first being held in Northland and Waikato. Soon to follow are Taranaki, Canterbury and Southland.
A good turnout, despite the drought-like conditions have encouraged organisers, who say the conversations around farming strategies in challenging times continued long after the presentations wrapped up.

Dairy NZ Chief Executive Dr Tim Mackle told The Country Early Edition's Rowena Duncum well over 100 farmers attended the first event in Northland, "and given everything going on at the moment, with farmers focussed on feeding cows and planning the next [steps] on the farm, we were really pleased with that turnout. We got really good engagement and strong support."

Mackle said Economist Cameron Bagrie spoke with optimism about what's going on with the economy and the future for dairy from a commercial standpoint, while Dr Bruce Thorrold focused on how to put aside the negatives, and 'clear the fog' by carrying on farming through.

"That was really the theme here – having confidence for the future."

He added that the local Northland Dairy Development Trust spoke about the latest research being undertaken on their farm, and the presentations wrapped up with a discussion around public perceptions of farming, led by DairyNZ's Lee Cowan and "very engaged local farmer" Earle Wright.

Celebrity Chef and entrepreneur Nadia Lim will attend the remainder of the Farmers Forum events, which Mackle is looking forward to.

"I think there's a good connection with the land and producing food."

Listen below:

More information about the DairyNZ farmers forums can be found here.

More information about farming during a drought can be found here.

Also in today's interview: Mackle talked about the lack of green pasture during his journey from Waikato to Northland.