2010-06-01

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 .

September 13, 14 – Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) conference, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland.

US food safety lawyer Bill Marler, who has represented victims of nearly every large food-borne illness outbreak in the US, will be a keynote speaker. UK Health Protection Agency consultant Alyson Smith will tell how Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant had over 500 diners struck down with norovirus.

Another US speaker will be Dr Bob Brackett, formerly of the US Grocery Manufacturers Association, now vice-president and director at the National Center for Food Safety and Technology. Australian food packaging consultant Gordon Robertson will speak on packaging and its impact on food safety hazards.

The full programme can be viewed online at www.nzfsa.govt.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. Enquiries to wds2010@tcc.co.nz.