9 Jun 2010

SMASH-ing time for small-herd dairy farmers

9:32 pm on 9 June 2010

The Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH for short) series of conferences is on this week for dairy farmers with herds of fewer than 250 cows.

It follows the Large Herds Conference in March, which is geared towards farmers with herds of more than 700.

More than 40% of the country's dairy herds have fewer than 250 cows.

One of the organisers of the event, Tony Allcock, says smaller-herd businesses face challenges that are distinctly different to the large herds' issues.

He says getting the best use of time is one of them. Health and safety is also paramount for the small-herd owner, who often doesn't have any workers to help out.

SMASH was being held in Matamata on Wednesday and continues in Greymouth on Thursday.