The NZ Effluent Expo Event is going national this year – offering the free event to farmers nationwide during two days at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.

Taking shape under new management, the event, from 8.30am-4pm on November 27-28, has almost 100 exhibitors signed up, a full-day seminar programme running both days, plus a guest speaker Q&A panel with Agricultural Minister Damien O’Connor and Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins.

The event will cover education around effluent and its management, access to regional rules and regulations, how to futureproof farm systems, plus representatives from a range of service providers, the dairy industry and regional authorities will be on-site.

Another ‘first’ this year is a social function on the Tuesday afternoon, November 27, starting 4.30pm to encourage networking and collaboration between exhibitors and farmers alike.

NZ Effluent Expo event coordinator Amanda Hodgson says a new organising committee has taken over the reins from Waikato Regional Council, with the aim of growing the event bigger and better than it already is.

“Previously, the expo has only been advertised to the Waikato region and it was getting really good momentum – even during low payout years – so we didn’t want it to get lost,” says Amanda.

“And we know that farmers come to the event regardless of whether they’re currently investing in effluent or not – just because they can’t afford it this year they are always researching and forward-planning.”

And with collaboration behind the scenes, Amanda says the expo is becoming a one-stop event for farmers by showcasing a variety of NZ’s industry experts in a collaborative approach.

“There’s so many awesome companies doing so many awesome things that we need to collaborate more together to give that one awesome solution to the farmer, as opposed to working on our own for this bit, then the next person comes in and does their bit.

“So it’s about trying to get that cohesion from the start – because everyone does great things when they work together.”

Amanda says Taranaki and Bay of Plenty and Horizons regional councils will join WRC in having staff at the event to give advice and regulations guidance.

“Our ultimate aim going forward is to have everyone there that a farmer needs in order to make decisions – or have a plan worked out – to get solutions on the day.

“So they can go away feeling like they’ve made good headway.”

And while recognising that every farm is different and no one solution is the same, Amanda says the goal for the farmer is the same up and down the country – hence why the event is going national.

“It doesn’t matter what region you’re in, everyone wants to be better at what they’re doing, thinking ahead, simplifying systems, and be educated about the new technology out there that can make things easier on-farm with weather events and labour and suchlike,” says Amanda.

“So it’s just keeping the momentum going and the education up.”

This year’s event has been boosted to two days, so those travelling can hear the full-day programme of seminars and have another day up their sleeves to talk to exhibitors and network.

“The same seminars run both days so attendees can see seminars and peruse exhibitors without missing out.”

Plus, returning to Mystery Creek gives easy to access to travelling farmers with Hamilton Airport nearby.

Amanda says organisers are expecting more than 1500 farmers to attend this year, which will make it the largest Effluent Expo yet. To learn more, see: effleuntexpo.co.nz