Communication Key To Success For Farmers

Communication Key To Success For Farmers

Despite flights being diverted to Wellington due to fog and rising water threatening shop closures, this year’s annual National e-COGENT conference provided members with an opportunity to discuss key issues facing the animal production industry. “It’s a truly progressive group despite challenging times and the energy, knowledge and open communication is why progress is made,” says Managing Director Peter Floyd.

Speakers included the leaders in our country in their respective fields and their passion was clearly evident. Dr Pat Poletti, BVSc, showed how hidden mineral imbalances dramatically choke animal performance and showed a plan for correction.

Graham Shepherd delivered staggeringly simple model, developed from years of research and development right here in NZ, that shows how every farmer can conduct their own visual soil analysis in 40 minutes. From that you can understand the health of your soil, track changes and understand the impact of your farm on the environment and greenhouse gas production.

James Parson, director of Meat and Wool NZ and Nuffield Scholarship recipient, presented a sobering economic profile of where we are now. And followed with a very positive and refreshing perspective on the need for leadership at all levels within our production industries. He stressed the need for open communication and finished his presentation with a relevant and informative review of opportunities within new supply chain models and what not to do to increase the chances of success.

Professor Caroline Saunders from the Lincoln Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit presented with tremendous energy. She delivered an at times contentious view on what farmers must consider when farmers are taking their high quality produce to the market places of the world.

All speakers showed a depth of knowledge that only comes from years of walking their talk and yet were able to deliver their message with a passion that shows there’s much more to come. This was top class communication and is a conference not to miss in 2011.

ENDS

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