This year's National Conference will be held at Hamilton's Sky City on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th of August. We have brought together a great range of speakers covering a diverse number of topics from across the primary industry.

Download NZIPIM's 2018 National Conference Programme.
Download a copy of the Registration Form .

Among the highlights of this year's conference programme we will be taking a high level overview of policy developments on greenhouse gas emissions and what this looks like on-farm with a presentation by Nick Tait of DairyNZ. We will also look at the national rollout of FEPs and rural professionals role in the development of these on farm. This will be followed by a presentation by Stuart Orme of Woodnet on how to extract greater value from trees under the ETS and how farmers can best optimise carbon credits. Along with sector updates on the sheep milking and avocado industries, John Quinn of NIWA will demystify what is meant by swimmable rivers and what is achievable.

The following day includes a presentation by Chris Morley who will reflect on what has occurred with M.bovis and discuss the importance of risk management policy/protocols for on-farm biosecurity. We will also be exploring future opportunities in plant breeding and improvements in animal genomics with presentations by Derek Woodfield (PGGWrightson) and Dorian Garrick (Massey University) respectively.

Once again we will be running concurrent sessions. The business & governance session will look at: Upcoming trust law changes (Glenda Graham); Facilitated on-farm succession and governance workshop; and Factors for success in farmers accessing off-farm capital (Ross Verry). The technical session will look at: How to create greater appetite for the uptake of technology by the farming community (Bridget Hawkins); RMPP will outline its aspiration and goals for its action network; and a paper will be presented on ClearTech - turning 'green to gold'.

In the closing session well known agricultural journalist, Tony Leggett, will look at the changing nature of rural publications and will discuss new methods and mediums of communicating with farmers. This will be followed by a presentation by Simon Sankey (DairyNZ) on how rural professionals can be more effective in encouraging and sustaining the uptake of new ideas with their farming clients. Justine Kidd will then discuss how farmers can effectively manage a team of consultants and rural professionals within a farming enterprise.

Accommodation can be booked at either the Novotel Hotel or Ibis Tainui Hotel. NZIPIM preferred accommodation rates can be accessed here.