Southland and Otago farmers - 'take me to your leaders'

Southland and Otago farmers are being issued an open invitation by Federated Farmers to attend the 2010 Dairy as well as the Meat & Fibre meetings, as part of Federated Farmers 2010 National conference being held in Invercargill from 23-25 June

“I think I can speak for all my farming colleagues, when I say this is probably the highest level gathering of farm industry leaders and experts in New Zealand,” says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson.

“I know from my sheep and beef colleagues that they, like us in dairy, are focused on improving the profitability of our dynamic agricultural industry. Collectively we’re opening the doors on 23 June to those farmers who wish to know more about how Federated Farmers works on their behalf,” added Lachlan McKenzie, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson.

Farmers keen to register are invited to call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).

“In the Meat & Fibre meeting, we’ve got Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive, Keith Cooper, explaining how Federated Farmers T150 campaign is achievable, this campaign looks to get $150 for a good mid-season lamb by 2013,” says Mr Wills.

“We have also the crystal ball of Professor Caroline Saunders, Lincoln University’s Director of Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit, looking ahead to the size, structure and framework of sheep and beef farming in 2020.

“In addition the Meat & Fibre meeting is an opportunity to focus on issues inside and outside our industry and is key for setting our work programme for the year ahead,” Mr Wills said.

“In the Dairy industry group meeting, Federated Farmers is proud to host Sir Henry van der Heyden, Chairperson of Fonterra Cooperative Group, who will talk to dairy farmers about how the whole dairy industry can work together to maintain its competitiveness,” says Mr McKenzie.

“We are focused as an industry group on realising the immense potential of dairy commodities that few outside the industry can comprehend.

“Both the Meat & Fibre and the Dairy industry group meetings are a golden opportunities for farmers to see what we deal with day in and day out and the tremendous role Federated Farmers has in maintaining and building our industry,” Mr McKenzie concluded.

For tickets and more information please call – 0800 327 646 (0800 FARMING)

2010 FEDERATED FARMERS NATIONAL CONFERENCE


Day one highlights – 23 June 2010:

· Sir Henry van der Heyden – Fonterra Cooperative Chair

· Prof Caroline Saunders – Lincoln University’s Director of Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit

· Keith Cooper – Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive



Day two highlights – 24 June 2010:

· Hon Phil Goff MP – Leader of the Opposition

· Bruce Sheppard – Shareholders Association Chair (and FMA member)

· Tim Gibson – former Chief Executive of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

· Rodney Jones – Economist

· Dr Paul Le Miere – Federated Farmers North Island Team Leader for Local Policy
· Rod Drury – Executive Director of Xero

· Rod Inglis – Chairman of Woosh Wireless

· Hon David Carter – Minister of Agriculture

· His Excellency, David Huebner – Ambassador of the United States of America

· Don Elder – Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy

· Conor English – Federated Farmers Chief Executive



2010 Federated Farmers National Awards – 24 June 2010:

· Agribusiness Person of the Year will be announced in association with Ravensdown
· Federated Farmers Agri Personality of the Year
· 2009-2010 Agricultural Cream of the Crop winners


Day three highlights (includes Prime Minister’s luncheon in association with Woosh Wireless) – 25 June 2010:

· Don Nicolson – President of Federated Farmers

· Hon John Key MP – Prime Minister of New Zealand



Venue:

Ascot Park Hotel (cnr. Tay Street and Racecourse Road, Invercargill 9810), For a location map please click here