BLNZ conference offers big choice of topics

Dr Anna Campbell

A first for the South Island, farmers will have the future in front of them at Progressive Ag.

The Progressive Ag conference, organised by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (BLNZ), is being held in Gore next month, on August 9.

Organiser and BLNZ southern South Island extension manager Olivia Ross said the idea came from a similar event in the North Island.

''They have an ag innovation and we ran a mini all together in one place here in Gore last year,'' she said.

''It was really successful; we had over 200 people at it.''

From here, the BLNZ team knew this was something farmers wanted to attend, so they decided to replicate the North Island event down here.

Dr Anna Campbell will open the day, with a talk on the future of red meat for New Zealand, thinking outside the box.

From there the day will go into pick-and-mix sessions.

''Three speakers will all speak at the same time in different rooms. People pick what most appeals to them.''

There would be four pick-and-mix sessions throughout the day, as well as a working lunch, where visitors could go and see some of the more popular sessions.

Topics would cover everything from protecting your herd from biosecurity threats through to drenching and drench resistance.

Farmers could attend the whole day, or if they had specific questions, they could just come and ask them, Miss Ross said.

''Ideally, they'd come for the whole day.

''Registrations start at nine for a 10am start.''

Registrations are available on the BLNZ website and close on Friday, August 3.

For those who cannot attend, some speakers will be livestreamed and some others will be videoed and uploaded to the BLNZ YouTube channel.

More information is available on the BLNZ website.