The Muster- Nicola Blair: Dairy NZ

Nicola Blair talks about her new role with Dairy NZ.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:17):
Welcome back to the muster on Hakanui. Nicola Blair joins
us for a muster debos out of Derry in z Nicola.
Good afternoon and welcome.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
Good afternoon, Andy. How are you getting on?

Speaker 1 (00:30):
Can't really complain when it's a warmer afternoon than what
we've had and finally we're starting to see some pasture
growth throughround the province and people can actually get onto
the farms and get work done. It's good.

Speaker 2 (00:42):
Yeah, it's been so good to have a couple of
weeks so warmer weather because springs will have put us
through our paces.

Speaker 1 (00:48):
A spring is interesting. James Egger made the comparison before
farming is fun for six months of the years, just
what six months you look at. But it doesn't always
have to be like that. Now, if you're involved with
the team of darien Z, you just started there recently actually,
so give us a little bit about your background.

Speaker 2 (01:07):
Yeah. Yeah, So I'm the new area manager for Northern
Southland and West Icago, So yeah, I'm really excited to
be stepping into that role. It's a new role for
the Northern Southland area. They haven't actually had an individual
area manager for that area, so I'll be really cool

(01:27):
to get out and amongst there again because I used
to TV test kettle in that area for ten years.
So yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting out out
there and working with all the farmers there again in
a new role. Yeah, and support these guys and run
some discussion groups and yeah, no, it'll be really good.

Speaker 1 (01:50):
So you're working in an area that you know pretty well.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, yeah, definitely, Yeah, no, and it's a great area.
There's some awesome farmers and amongst theirs. So no, really
looking forward to it.

Speaker 1 (02:03):
So about your role exactly, Nichola, What does it entail?

Speaker 2 (02:08):
So I'll be it's basically about connection, building connections, and yeah,
I'll be running discussion groups and events and field days
around the region. Yeah, and I want to make sure
that I make those gatherings really practical and relevant to
what farmers are doing. So it's a really good opportunity

(02:29):
for people to come along and share their ideas and
a safe environment and yeah, take learnings away. So yeah, no, definitely, definitely,
just yeah about building good relationships and all about connecting people.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
So the workshops that you're talking about, Nicolae, give us
an example of what people can expect.

Speaker 2 (02:55):
Well, just yes, sort of just what I mentioned really, yeah,
just they'll be really practical and about what people are
doing at that time, or just they'll be farmer leads.
So I want to get feedback from farmers in the
area about what they actually want to talk about. There's
no point in me standing up there and telling telling

(03:16):
them what to do. Yeah, So just.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
Yeah, you're keen to get farm You're keen to get
feedback from the farmers regarding workshops and the likes.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Yeah, absolutely, definitely feedback everything. Yeah, otherwise I don't Yeah,
it just gives me more direction.

Speaker 1 (03:37):
So like so this time of year, for example, I
mean we've just seen the way the weather's been a
bit of a bugger to be perfectly frank, maybe looking
at feed budgeting or something like that, just looking at
a couple of reminders as you head through the season,
going on farm and doing a few field days and
the likes.

Speaker 2 (03:54):
Yeah, definitely all around pasture. And we actually have some
of thents coming up around homegrown feed which will be
really good yeah, for farmers to get along to there
at the end of this month in early December. Just yeah,
get the best out of your pasture that you have

(04:14):
on your farm. Yeah, it's more sustainable farming really, that's.

Speaker 1 (04:21):
What it comes down to. Now, events that are coming up,
we talk about these workshops. What's on the horizon.

Speaker 2 (04:28):
So we're actually got a really awesome event coming up
in west of Tago and that's on the twenty fifth
of November, and yeah, that's on Home Ground Feed. So
I'll be around exploring how high input systems can drive profitability.
And there's more, a couple more at the end of

(04:51):
November and early December. So yeah, just jump on air
tearing Z website and Dove got all the informations. What
time we need to go, Yeah, make sure if you
can come along because we'd love to see it's all there.

Speaker 1 (05:06):
Do people need to register for these events or is
it a matter of turning up on the day. What
do you prefer it? Which is easier?

Speaker 2 (05:12):
You don't have to register, but if you do, yeah,
just gives us a bit of an idea of head count.
But no, definitely don't have to register. Yeah, if you'd
decide on the day that you want to rock up,
then yeah, just do that. That's all good.

Speaker 1 (05:28):
So, Nicola, what you're mora or less saying is that
farmers can expect you're having a hands on approach regarding workshops.
They're yaizing with them to see what they're like to
see happen as far as events, so you can just
help out wherever, right.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
Yeah, absolutely, yep, definitely, I'm always I'm always keen for
a yarn and feedback and everything. So yeah, if you
see me around or want to give me a call,
please don't hesitate.

Speaker 1 (05:53):
Yeah, and because you're already living in the South, I
don't even ask you if you've been to Rugby Park
and you haved abuse at the ref after a couple
of bee is right. Hey, Nichola Blair deary Z, thanks
very much for your time on the Muster this afternoon.
Great debut and we'll speak again and enjoy the OBBO awesome.

Speaker 2 (06:13):
Thanks Andy, you too.

Speaker 1 (06:17):
Nicola Blair from derryen Z. Before we wrap up the
Muster on a Wednesday afternoon, we are catching up with Lenberry.

Speaker 2 (06:24):
Your mama is