August 31-September 2 - Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Lincoln University.

Leading scientists and researchers from Australia and New Zealand present the latest research to help the dairy industry meet the challenges of a pasture-based system. The symposium is designed for researchers and those whose job it is to transfer scientific knowledge to the farming sector, such as consultants and advisers.

Topics include: Environmentally sustainable dairy farming, herd fertility and welfare; forage production and animal response, and dairy production systems. For more information contact Professor Grant Edwards at Lincoln University or visit www.lincoln.ac.nz.

November 8-11 - International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit, SkyCity Convention Centre, Auckland.

Global dairy business leaders will share their views on opportunities and threats at the forum on day one. Fonterra chief executive Andrew Ferrier will join other leaders Cees't Hart of Friesland Campina, Jerry Kozak of the US National Milk Producers Federation, Niels Graugaard of GEA, Ken MacKenzie of AMCOR and Jacqueline Pieters of Rabobank.

The following three days will cover topics common to the dairy industry around the world - environment, economic policy and trade as well as farming topics such as water and waste management, greenhouse gas (GHG) advances, soil science and energy. Scientific information on dairy health benefits and manufacturing technologies will also be discussed.