2025 SIDE Workshops & Field Trip

Monday 7 April 2025
Optional Field Trip 

  

Programme Title

Where

Description

Speakers         
  Port of Timaru, Heartland Chips and Opuha Dam    
     

 
       
 

 

Tuesday 8 April 2025
Day 1 - Workshops repeat in the morning and afternoon so you can go to both

  

Workshop Title

Workshop Type

Workshop Description

Speakers

Unlocking Dairy Gains: Harnessing Tech & Expertise for On-Farm Success

 

 

Discover the latest research and advancements driving incremental improvements in dairy farming with the Vet Centre, Blue Cross Vets. Ryan Luckman will share insights from his extensive experience with various collar technologies, offering actionable strategies for achieving real on-farm gains—whether you use collars or not.

This workshop features concise presentations from experts, followed by an extended interactive session where farmers can engage directly with specialists. Tailor the insights to your unique system and uncover the 1% gains that can make a big difference on your farm.

 

 

 Ryan Luckman

Advancing Dairy Beef: DNA Insights, Bull Selection & Future Opportunities

This workshop will explore innovative advancements and practical insights for the dairy industry as findings from a recent DNA testing trial conducted on dairy beef animals, highlighting the correlation and outcomes of the study, will be presented. We’ll delve into bull selection, addressing the common knowledge gaps among dairy farmers regarding which EBV figures are classified as safe. The session will also cover how studs across New Zealand are improving data accuracy to better support the dairy industry through AI and natural mating systems. Additionally, we’ll explore the Genez traceability program, which connects dairy farmers with finishers to produce high-quality dairy beef, offering opportunities to achieve premiums while ensuring ease of calving and saleable calves. 

 

 

Industry experts Ben Watson, dairy farmer and founder of Genez - Dairy Beef Traceability programme

 

Rebecca Hickson, Dairy Beef Programme Manager for Fonterra

 

Farmers:

Wednesday 9 April 2025
Day 2 - Workshops repeat in the morning and afternoon so you can go to both

  

Mastering Mastitis: A Farmer-Driven Approach to Dairy Health & Performance

Join farmer and industry experts as they delve into a farmer-driven, holistic, and pathogen-specific approach to managing mastitis in dairy farming. This session will explore the intricate relationship between somatic cell counts (SCC) and a cow's overall performance, encompassing production, fertility, longevity, and calf rearing.

Key topics include:

  • Understanding Mastitis: Causes, implications, and the "why" behind this critical challenge.
  • Prevention Strategies: How proactive, informed farming can safeguard animal health.
  • Diagnostics in Action: Practical tools and hands-on opportunities to enhance diagnostic skills.
  • Looking Ahead: The role of dairy farmers in combating microbial resistance and reducing antibiotic reliance.

This insightful and interactive session is a must for farmers seeking to elevate animal health, productivity, and sustainability on their farms.

 

 Aaron and Holly Jackson (farmers), Natasha Maguire (Farm Medix, Microbiologist)

Elevate Your Financial Performance

Join a panel of leading farmers and industry experts as they share strategies for achieving top-tier financial results in agriculture. Gain valuable insights into how these farmers analyse and optimise the finer details of their business performance to drive success. This session offers practical advice and proven methods to help you take your farm’s financial performance to the next level.

 

  
       

Other Session for all to attend!

Dairy advancement (or innovation) through science and technology.

As part of SIDE 2025, we will be exploring cutting-edge science and technology shaping the future of our dairy industry. This fast-paced session features (six) dynamic presentations, each offering insights into new science, technology and innovations designed to boost efficiency, enhance sustainability, and achieve those critical 1% gains on your farm. These rapid-fire sessions are your gateway to staying ahead of our continually evolving industry.
Don't miss this opportunity to ignite ideas, spark conversations, and explore the science driving smarter, more sustainable dairying.

There will be time to network with the presenters after this session to find out more information.

 

Please Note: The views presented at SIDE are the opinions of the individual speakers and are not necessarily shared by the SIDE organising committee or supporting organisations. Given the general nature of some of the views and information presented at SIDE, and the fact that every participant’s individual circumstances are different, SIDE participants should not act solely on the basis of the material presented at the event, but should obtain specific advice according to their own circumstances.

 

SIDE 2025 Partners, Sponsors & Exhibitors