People Expo events are back, providing dairy farmers the opportunity to better understand workforce dynamics, and ideas on actions they can take to find and keep great people.

DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network are partnering to deliver four People Expo events this month in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu-Whanganūi and Southland.

The Bay of Plenty People Expo is March 27 from 9.30am-2.30pm at Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. It’s free to attend. Register at: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/events/people-expo/

DairyNZ lead advisor for people, Jane Muir, who is MC, encourages farmers to join the expos to hear about what’s needed to tackle the big employment issues on-farm.

“Supporting great workplaces and people on farm is critical. We want to support farmers with credible evidence and practical solutions that help them find and keep the staff they want.

Jane says its chance to “connect with fellow farmers facing similar challenges, listen to guest speakers and workshops will provide practical tips to apply with your farm team.

Guest speaker, leading economist Shamubeel Eaqub, will discuss global, national and regional economic and workforce changes and outline why farm businesses must act differently and look in new places to stay successful. “The global and political backdrop for farmers is increasingly unpredictable, affecting interest rates, dairy price, and the input costs of critical things, like feed and fertiliser,” says Shamubeel.

 “This makes businesses and farming more unpredictable, and we cannot influence these things. However, we can influence how we lead and manage our businesses.

I’m looking forward to sharing practical ways for us to think differently as leaders, and to act differently as a sector, along with having insightful discussions with farmers.”

For more information, visit dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo.