Large Herds Dairy Conference has 2020 Vision

The premier dairy business conference set down for April next year has got a heavyweight contingent of industry leaders and commentators dusting off their crystal balls.

 

The New Zealand Dairy Business Conference 2011 has adopted the theme 2020 Vision, and all aspects of the four-day event will look to the future.

 

Hosted by the New Zealand Large Herds Association and Summit Quinphos, the conference will focus on the business of dairying, taking input from some of the top people in the industry right through to budding young scientists.

 

Bryan Beeston, chairman of the NZLHA, says the new-look conference has the potential to unite the New Zealand dairy industry and properly reflect the size of its contribution to the nation’s economy.

“We are pleased we have been able to put together such a blockbuster event,” says Mr Beeston.

“In association with Summit Quinphos we have been able to attract a Who’s Who of New Zealand industry – not just dairying – as well as a leading group of young scientists.

 

Mr Beeston says the dairy industry has grown to become the powerhouse of the economy.

“As a leader in this industry, at NZLHA we strive to deliver an innovative and thought-provoking conference.  This is the 42nd annual conference the NZLHA has run, and we continue to really challenge our members and the industry to find solutions and to learn new things.  We encourage any dairy farming business to attend, as we all face similar challenges and will benefit from the content of the conference equally.  Networking with peers is also an important part of the conference, with delegates placing a high value on this opportunity”.  

 

On the business side, the 2011 conference will hear 2020 Vision strategies from Sir Henry van der Heyden and Andrew Ferrier, chairman and chief executive respectively at Fonterra, backed by Mark Wheldon, CEO at NZX, and Air NZ CEO Rob Fyfe.

 

The business section includes “how to” talks by financial guru William Bailey, Derek Handley of the Hyperfactory, and Geoff Ross and Justine Troy of Vodka company 42 Below.

 

Massey University scientist Professor Jacqueline Rowarth has agreed to discuss the need to make the best use of our resources and the policy requirements needed to encourage urgent economic growth.

There will also be discussion of the Land Use Forum Review, to try to work out what will be permissible by 2020, and presentations by the best young scientists who will bring fresh topics to the industry.

Two prominent New Zealand farmers with overseas investments will explain where they see their future growth as part of their vision for 2020.

 

“This will all be interspersed with panel discussions, entertainment, good food and time to network with people who drive this industry to greater heights.

 

“There will be the big day out on local farms on the Thursday followed by the big finale Summit Quinphos dinner to end the conference in a relaxed social atmosphere.”

 

More information about the New Zealand Dairy Business Conference 2011, 4-7 April 2011 at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre, is available via the www.nzlargeherds.co.nz website.