Texel New Zealand conference to mix it up in style

Alistair McLeod of Egilshay Texel Stud is expecting about 50 people to attend the Texel New Zealand conference. Photo / File

What do goat and sheep cheeses, the Clyde dam, wine, whisky and wild food have in common?

They are all part of Texel New Zealand's conference from May 1 to 4.

Organising committee spokesman Alistair McLeod said about 50 delegates were expected for the conference, which would be based in Cromwell.

Registration at the Gate and Harvest Hotel, a breed committee meeting and a social evening would launch the conference on May 1.

''After the annual meeting on Tuesday (May 2), we will be going to visit breeders Bill and Judy Everett's View Hill Stud property at Galloway,'' Mr McLeod said.

Breeders Mac and Mary Wright, of the Golden Terrace Stud, Ranfurly, will also be there and delegates will also hear speakers Sharl Libergreen from Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics and Johanna Scott from Zoetis, and see a demonstration of goat milking and taste sheep cheeses.

In the afternoon on May 2 there is also a visit to the Clyde dam as well as a tour and wine tasting at Two Paddocks' Red Bank Farm and Winery.

The following day, May 3, delegates will visit Hoglunds Art Glass works, as well as Queensbury Ridges Station.

Mr McLeod and his wife, Karen, run their Egilshay Texels at Queensbury Ridges for one half of the year.

''We will have lunch at the station, where wild-game chef Angelo Georgalli, of Wanaka, will prepare lunch for us and tell some of his story.''

That afternoon they would also visit the Mackay family's Spotts Creek Station and the Cardrona Distillery, before having an auction and dinner at the Cardrona Hotel.

Snowfarmer author John Lee, of Cardrona, and his wife Mary will be the guest speakers at the dinner.

The conference will conclude on May 4 with a meeting for those involved in the Texel Across Flock programme.