Extensive Knowledge Shared with all at Expo
Lincoln University professor and soil scientist Dr Jacqueline Rowarth is one of the seminar speakers at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
Succession, financial guidance, innovation, youth, wellness and the coming together of tikanga and science are just some of the topics being covered by seminar speakers at the 2026 East Coast Farming Expo.
In announcing the seminar schedule for the two-day February gathering, event manager Sue Wilson said it was always an exciting time bringing together relevant and informative talent for the coast’s sheep and beef farmers.
Wednesday’s schedule includes Farm Fit’s Kane Briscoe whose honest, lived experiences and tales have resonated with thousands over the years. “While my Farm Fit messaging hasn’t changed, a much wider and diverse audience is now being reached,” he says.
The challenges for most are building resilient and efficient teams, navigating the ever-changing regulations and having a sustainable profitable business in a shifting market.
If he had a magic wand he would love to insert “some logic into the government space”. “As farmers we need some challenges to help drive us forward but we also need people who are in behind us to help push through with the right leaders to focus the direction.”
At the heart of it all were people . . . and that is what he is so passionate about “Those with boots on the ground doing the hard work deserve the most help and rewards.”
Whāngārā Farms business manager Ray Leach will speak about He Rau Ake Ake, the farm’s 100-year Whenua Optimisation Plan that is being rolled out in partnership with Ministry for Primary Industries.
“It brings tikanga and science together to guide sustainable land use for the next century,” says Mr Leach. “There are more than 200 initiatives planned through to 2125, on how biodiversity, productivity, emissions reduction, climate resilience and cultural heritage will work in unison to create a sustainable legacy for future generations.”
Half a century in agribusiness has meant specialist farm accountant Pita Alexander ONZM has experienced the boom and bust cycles of farming and is happy to share his extensive knowledge. He has spoken at conferences and seminars across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. “Agriculture has been good to me and I want to inject back into it as best I can.”
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will delve into what the latest science means, including results from its most recent state of the environment report, how GIS analysis on landslide susceptibility and waterway connectivity is helping inform policy and what that looks like in practice for on-farm decision making.
Beef + Lamb NZ representatives will speak about the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts Programme. It is estimated facial eczema costs the New Zealand economy around $332 million a year.
The Prime Minister’s chief science advisor Dr John Roche will present on science and innovation’s role in New Zealand’s prosperity.
Thursday’s programme includes Lincoln University professor and soil scientist Dr Jacqueline Rowarth who talks about free lunches, nitrogen and other stories. Always entertaining as she is knowledgeable, Ms Rowarth says everything comes with a cost. “The question is whether that cost is understood and considered worth the price,” she says. “The cost of 'free nitrogen' is in the dry matter production of the legume. Bioactives marketed as 'enhancing production and resilience' can be analysed similarly – cost versus likely benefit. Results from independent scientific research, in combination with economic analysis, are key.”
She says the delight of events like the Expo are in talking with farmers and rural professionals, discussing the real issues that they see on farm and in the future, and factoring in the concerns for further investigation.
Trevor Rudman from Parascope is also on the schedule to talk about ways to combat drench resistance, a problem that is estimated to cost New Zealand sheep farmers more than $100 million a year.
Ahuwhenua Young Farmer of the Year, Chloe Butcher Herries is passionate about giving youth an opportunity. Her journey from a challenging position to now not drinking, having no debt and owning four homes is an inspiration for all.
“There are bigger opportunities out there now for youth than when I first started,” she says, “including really neat outfits and farms that focus on training and upskilling our next generation. This is huge – without our young farmers we don’t have a future in farming.”
A panel discussion with Farmer Time’s Marie Burke, Napier Boys’ High School’s Rex Newman, Kiwi Country Kids owner Sally Newall and Growing Future Farmers Taryn Helm will follow a similar theme.
