12 May 2004
Mohair New Zealand Conference
Mohair New Zealand and the New Zealand Boer Goat Breeders Association combine forces this weekend (15-16 May) for a
joint annual conference in Napier.
“This is the first time that the two organisations have held a combined conference, and while it is not likely to become
a permanent fixture, it makes sense for representatives to get together from time to time to discuss pan-industry
issues,” says Ross Aitken, Chairman of Mohair New Zealand.
“Although the two breeds are farmed for different reasons, there are a number of issues, such as animal husbandry and
resource management, that affect all goat farmers in the same way,” says Mr Aitken.
Conference organisers are particularly pleased to have secured Ken Sykes, a leading Australian authority on goats, as a
guest speaker. Ken has been farming Angora and Boer goats for 35 years and has managed flocks of up to 4,000 animals.
Francis Weavers, formerly Executive Director of the Life Sciences Network, and its successor, the BioScience Policy
Institute, will address delegates on Sunday morning.
The conference concludes on Sunday with the two organisations holding their respective annual meetings.
Mohair New Zealand is an industry group of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc). All Federation events are supported
by the National Bank of New Zealand, Rural Post, Telecom New Zealand, FMG and Ravensdown Fertiliser Co- operative.
ENDS