B+LNZ is one of the funders behind this five-year programme, which will facilitate 10 “clusters” of farmers - three sheep/beef and seven dairy. Each cluster runs for three years and in total is made up of 50 target farms, 50 mentor farmers and 250 associate farmers.
What does a cluster look like?
Each cluster involves five target farms.
Advice and direction is provided to each target farm by a farm consultant and this relationship is supported by a mentor farmer.
Target farmers and mentor farmers then interact and influence a surrounding group of associated farmers, further spreading the benefits throughout the farming community.
Current status
Two clusters – one sheep/beef and one dairy – have now been established, with a third (dairy) being pulled together, currently.
Management and funding
Extension 350 operates across a range of organisations that have a significant interest in Northland’s pastoral sector and the potential economic impact for the region.
A project manager works with the steering committee, made up of an independent farmer chair and representatives from key stakeholder/funding groups: B+LNZ, Dairy NZ, Ministry for Primary Industries and the Northland Regional Council.
Find out more
Contact Alison Whiteford, B+LNZ Northern North Island extension manager at alison.whiteford@beeflambnz.com
Visit the NorthlandNZ website
