More than 200 farmers have heard how science and innovation can help to address challenges facing the dairy sector.
The 2023 DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum Research to Reality was held at the Ashburton Event Centre last week. 
Farmers had the opportunity to hear first-hand from DairyNZ scientists and industry leaders.
Information sessions highlighted the latest research and technology that would allow farmers to remain competitive and resilient when faced with changing environmental regulations, staff shortages and meeting consumer expectations.
Much of the innovation provided real-world solutions at a farm level and had been developed within Canterbury, DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said while addressing the forum.
“Of course, farmers need to stay profitable, and we know here in Canterbury that over 9000 people are employed in the dairy sector.
“We also know that the sector contributes about $10 billion to the regional economy.
“So there’s a lot at stake.”
The forum, hosted by The Country executive producer and radio presenter Rowena Duncum, included DairyNZ’s general manager for new systems and competitiveness Bridget Maclean and forecast practitioner and strategist Melissa Clark-Reynolds as keynote speakers.
Clark-Reynold said the dairy industry was entering a time of turbulence and the sector was under pressure to reduce emissions.
Part of that challenge was to look at what premiums could be added to milk to gain a higher price point and meet consumer expectations.
“Our farmers produce artisan milk at volume. This is milk that is from grass-fed cows, in the open country, and produced by farmers that care for their animals, people, communities and country,” Clark-Reynolds said.
“We need to make these benefits and natural-ness at the forefront of our products to differentiate us as we compete in a world where milk will be made cheaper and better by technology in the future.
“Dairy is the backbone of our economy and we produce milk well. But now is the time to prepare for the disruption that is coming in the next 10 years and consider how you will shift to differentiate your individual businesses.”
The morning concluded with a speed science session, with 10 DairyNZ scientists giving bite-sized presentations of their work around topics such as genetics, cow fertility, eco stream health and heat stress.
An extended lunch allowed farmers to meet and talk to DairyNZ scientists in person and see first-hand technology being rolled out on-farm now and what was in store for the future.
On display was an easy-entry calf trailer prototype designed to reduce injuries associated with lifting and carrying calves was the result of a three-year project funded through ACC’s Workplace Injury Prevention Grants programme and DairyNZ’s levy, as well as a futuristic pilot project of augmented reality glasses that could potentially aid in pasture management, farm machine performance and body condition scoring.
The Farmers’ Forum finished with a series of information rounds, where farmers could choose two presentations from six different DairyNZ scientists on a range of topics, from profitability and nitrogen loss to workplace productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• By Claire Inkson