Resilient farm systems are going to be crucial for dairy farmers going forward with changes to regulation, increased compliance demands and more unpredictable weather patterns. Now more than ever it is crucial farmers have great advice and good people to support them in their businesses. As Rural Professionals we play a crucial part in decision making and giving advice on farm. This panel discussion with a range of Taranaki Dairy Farmers will provide insight into how farmers feel about the role we play on farm and what we need to think about going forward to ensure we are servicing our farmers well.

Agenda

Speakers

Campbell Clayton-Greene
Campbell and Delwyn own a 240 ha farm in Awatuna, milking 650 cows. They are absentee owners based in the Waikato and employ a contract milker. This is their first season owning the farm and prior to purchasing this farm owned multiple farms in the Waikato/Hauraki Plains. Whilst Taranaki isn’t home for Campbell & Delwyn, the farm ticked the boxes due to its size, scale and future potential for development and growth and less severe summer conditions than the Waikato.

Simon Lynskey
Simon and Lisa own and operate two farms in Oeo, Taranaki and have three primary school aged children. They are in their sixth season utilising a Once-a-Day milking system on one farm milking 1300 cows. The second farm milks 300 cows Twice a day. Their focus in their business is to have simple repeatable systems to produce consistent high profit per hectare results. They own approximately half of the farmed land, with the balance owned by Simon’s parents and five different Māori Entity’s. Simon and Lisa returned home to Taranaki in June 2009 during the Global Financial Crisis, prior to 2009 Simon farmed in Ireland, Scotland & New Zealand as well as being involved in Fertiliser & Banking industries as a Rural Professional.

Richard Clough
Richard and Rebecca Contract Milk and Share Milk 650 cows across two farms in Stratford and have two preschool aged children. Richard studied at Massey University and completed a Bachelor of Agri Commerce Majoring in Farm Management and Rural Valuation. Following this he spent 3 years with NAB bank in Australia before returning home to the family farm. Richard is a member of the Institute of Directors and in 2023 completed the Fonterra Governance Development Programme. He is a facilitator for Rural Support Trust and is highly involved in the local farming community as a Convenor for the local Cardiff Discussion Group.

Sarah Avery
Sarah grew up on a dry stock farm in Toko and completed a Bachelor of Agri Commerce in 2022 at Massey University, during her studies she worked on a Dairy Farm and has since progressed to managing a 300 cow Dairy Farm in Midhirst. Sarah is very involved in Young Farmers and is currently chair of Taranaki/Manawatu Region and Secretary for Inglewood Young Farmers Club. She is also a Trustee of Dairy Trust Taranaki, Sarah is very passionate about the future viability and sustainability of the Primary Sector.

Registration

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