Beef + Lamb New Zealand recently attended the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) to promote how we provide value for dairy farmers for their beef levies. Established in 1998, SIDE has grown to become New Zealand’s premier dairy conference and the largest event of its type in the country.
Hannah Brewer Extension Manager for South/Mid Canterbury said it was important for B+LNZ to have a presence at SIDE given the significance of the dairy sector in our work and the large number of dairy beef grazers in the central South Island region. “It's a great way for B+LNZ to showcase the work we do to add value to dairy beef at every stage of the supply chain,” Hannah says.
This year SIDE was held in Timaru for the first time and moved from its traditional June timing to April. Its focus is on showcasing achievements within dairy farming communities across the South Island, and brings farmers, industry professionals, and rural leaders together from across the region.
“On our B+LNZ stand, we showcased the nProve selection tool, provided updates on the dairy beef progeny test, and shared a variety of dairy beef resources available on the Knowledge Hub of our website. It was a great way for us to engage with farmers and promote upcoming events. Jason Archer, B+LNZ Head of Genetics and Jim Inglis B+LNZ Strategy & Operations, were also on hand to respond to questions. Thanks also to Central South Island Farmer Director Nicky Hyslop who also dropped by and helped out during the day.”
Jason was also a speaker in the session on ‘Advancing Dairy Beef: EBV Insights, Bull Selection & Future Opportunities’. This session provided practical insights for the dairy industry on bull selection, addressing the common knowledge gaps on which EBV figures are classified as safe, and covered how studs across New Zealand are improving data accuracy to better support the dairy industry through AI and natural mating systems.
“Over the course of the two days there were a range of informative and interactive workshops, inspiring keynote speakers and important networking opportunities, giving everyone attending a great experience,” says Hannah. “With its strong focus on practical learning and community connection, SIDE 2025 successfully empowered farmers and reaffirmed its place as a must-attend event on the rural calendar.”
