DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says this is an important forum for scientists to debate and explore the challenges coming up for science in the next 10 to 20 years and he says DairyNZ’s support of this event is another example of the commitment to a serious science presence in the South Island.

“Dairying in the South Island is rapidly expanding and DairyNZ is responding through its support of the Lincoln University Dairy Farm, the Southland Demonstration Farm, the South Island Dairy Event, investment in additional research capability based in the South Island and many existing and new projects.”

Dr Dave Chapman has recently joined DairyNZ as Principal Scientist based at DairyNZ’s office at Lincoln. Formerly Professor of Pasture Science at the University of Melbourne, Dave will lead the research team responsible for developing more feed, and feed of better quality along with improving farm systems.

Around 150 people are expected to attend the three-day Australasian Dairy Science Symposium this week which has the theme “Meeting the challenge of pasture-based dairying”. Sessions will cover:

• Environmentally sustainable dairy farming

• Herd fertility and welfare

• Forage production and animal response

• Dairy production systems.

Chairing the conference is Dr Grant Edwards, Professor of Dairy Production at Lincoln University, a position co-funded by DairyNZ.

He says finding environmental solutions for farmers and industry partners is one of the important outcomes from the symposium.

“These solutions must be practical and work on farm, at the same time reducing farmers’ costs and improving their efficiency and productivity.

“The proceedings from this week’s symposium are another important outcome. They provide an up-to-date record of research in the Australasian dairy industry and a valuable on-going reference point for the industry.”

This event provides a forum for information exchange and networking amongst Australian and New Zealand dairy scientists. Co-funding by DairyNZ and the Department of Primary Industries Victoria (Australia), is encouraging trans-Tasman collaboration and the identification of areas where new knowledge is required to maintain the competitive advantage of the dairy industries in both countries.

The programme of keynote speakers and presentations of scientific papers focuses specifically on scientific knowledge underpinning sustainable pasture-based dairy production.