CREATING

GOODNESS

|TOGETHER|

Plate to Pasture Farmer Conference 2025

15-17 July 2025, Claudelands Arena, Hamilton

It’s time to reconnect and find out what we can create, together. Join Silver Fern Farms at our Plate to Pasture Farmer Conference.

Creating goodness isn’t just about delicious red meat. It’s about building value from our produce, caring for our people and communities. It’s about looking after our wider environment and sharing nutritious red meat with consumers around the globe.

Creating goodness is exactly what the world needs us to do, and we do it together, every day.

At this year’s Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture Farmer Conference, we’re celebrating Creating Goodness Together.

We’re hosting a lineup of industry leaders and expert speakers, plus the Boning Competition National Finals, and of course the Plate to Pasture Supplier Awards.

We’re inviting everyone who creates goodness with us - farm owners, managers, stock hands and shepherds; wise old hands and keen young guns.

Join us. Our conference is free to attend for all suppliers, shareholders and their teams.

AGENDA

DAY ONE

2 July 2025

We're kicking off this year's event with a Classic Kiwi BBQ – taking it back to the grassroots!

Our Welcome Event is a relaxed and much-loved affair, offering a great chance to connect with fellow farmer suppliers in a casual setting. It’s all about good food, great company, and sharing stories.

The evening will again feature the final of the 2025 Silver Fern Farms Boning Competition – a highlight not to be missed!

Bringing family along?

If you have family or friends travelling with you who aren’t attending the full conference but would like to join us for the Welcome Evening ONLY, you can book additional tickets.

DAY TWO

3 July 2025

The Three Cogs: Bringing Procurement, Processing and Sales to Life - Jarrod Stewart, Chief Supply Officer; Brenda Talacek, Chief Operating Officer; Dave Courtney, Chief Customer Officer

Our Service To You - Jarrod Stewart, Chief Supply Office

Dairy Beef Breeding & Technology - Dr Richard Spelman, LIC

Adding Value Through the Wool Supply Chain –

Woolworks & Wool Impact

Stronger wool returns are key to the future of sheep meat farming—and there’s untapped value waiting in the supply chain. In this session, WoolWorks will share insights on the evolving wool sector, what global markets are really seeking, and why traceability, quality, and sustainability now set wool apart. Learn how Silver Fern Farms’ investment in WoolWorks can help you access premium opportunities and align your clip with brands that value the story behind the fibre.

Nature Positive Pays: Monetising On-Farm Stewardship through Nature Markets

As global demand grows for sustainable food and fibre and climate solutions, a new kind of market is emerging nature markets. These markets reward farmers not just for what they grow, but for how they care for the land, water, and biodiversity.

In this 50-minute introductory session, we’ll explore nature markets and preview the farmer experience of Silver Fern Farms’ upcoming Nature Market pilot alongside the Toha Network.

Future Proofing your farm though NZFAP Plus

In this workshop our On-Farm Sustainability Team will walk attendees through the benefits of achieving and maintaining NZFAP Plus Silver and Gold certification, and how this is unlocking additional value for our suppliers – perfect for those already certified or looking at starting their NZFAP Plus Journey with Silver Fern Farms.

Understanding Emissions Reduction Tools & Investment

Join Silver Fern Farms Sustainability Manager Matt Harcombe alongside Wayne McNee, CEO AgriZeroNZ to hear about the development of emissions reduction tools, investment and timelines, and how these might practically be implemented and incentivised. Learn more about the market pull for these actions and how Silver Fern Farms has worked with SBTi to set Scope 3 emissions targets.

Panel: Global Trade & Tension

Our Role in a Changing Marketplace – Sara Meymand, Divisional Manager of Trade Policy & Negotiations, MFAT; Stephen Jacobi, former diplomat & policy advisor; Dave Courtney, Chief Customer Officer; Fran O’Sullivan, Head of Business NZME (Chair)

Panel: The Future of our Red Meat Industry

Co-operative Update

Anna Nelson, Chair Silver Fern Farms Co-operative

Q&A, Wrap-up and Acknowledgements

Dan Boulton, Chief Executive

The Plate to Pasture Awards are our opportunity to recognise the outstanding farmers who live and breathe Nature Positive food production—those who truly understand what consumers value in high-quality red meat, and the passion that goes into creating it. Join us at Claudelands as we honour this year’s finalists and announce the overall winner of the 2025 Plate to Pasture Award.

DAY THREE

Farm Tour – Waikawa Farms

Waikawa Farms runs a high performing bull beef system on an intensive cell grazing system across 500 effective hectares. The NZFAP Plus certified farm is made up of a total of 580 hectares with 80 hectares of Native bush and pine plantation, finishing approximately 2000 R2 bulls a year. Neil is passionate about bulls and takes pride in his farm. He loves everything from being on the land shifting the bulls

to analysing figures in the office. Data and recording are an essential part of his farming system along with his attention to detail and evident desire for continual improvement.

Neil is very well connected locally, and professionally holding or has held governance roles with FarmIQ, Silver Fern Farms, Beef and Lamb Farmer Council, FRAG, Monitor farms, Hub farms, Focus Farms etc. Neil regularly hosts both national and international visitors and diplomats.

He is supported by the Waikawa Farm Team made up of two staff and seven working dogs.

Farm Innovation Showcase with LIC & Halter

Join us for an exciting farm innovation showcase in partnership with LIC and Halter. With LIC, you’ll get an exclusive tour of their bull farm and an insightful talk on their methane barn. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about genetics with LIC experts. With Halter, we’ll visit one of their farms to see their innovative work in progress and experience their cutting-edge technology in the field. This is a unique chance to learn from industry leaders and see innovation in action.

Food for the Soul – Cooking Masterclass with Nici Wickes & the Culinary Collective

Discover the art of creating delicious, wholesome meals using the freshest ingredients straight from the farm. Our expert chefs, including Nici Wickes, supported by training culinary students from the culinary school, will guide you through the journey of transforming locally-sourced produce into culinary masterpieces. This class, focusing on “Food for the Soul,” promises to celebrate the essence of farm-fresh ingredients and soul-nourishing food.

Butchery Masterclass with Silver Fern Farms

Whether you love hunting or home-kill, our experienced butchers will guide you through the entire process. Unlock the secrets of expert butchery with Silver Fern Farms’ own master butchers in this interactive masterclass. You’ll learn to prepare a carcass, walk through the different cuts, and perfect your knife skills.

BBQ Masterclass with Jared MacDonald

Join us for an unforgettable BBQ class with Jared Macdonald – champion pitmaster and founder of Octopit NZ and More Better Barbecue.

Jared’s BBQ journey started in 2008, inspired by a friend from South Carolina. Since then, he’s built a career around BBQ, winning top awards including 1st place brisket at the Jack Daniel’s World Invitational and creating some of the best BBQ gear in the country.

In this class, Jared will show you how to get the best out of meat straight from the farm. You’ll learn practical tips, clever techniques, and new ways to think about flavour and fire.

VENUE:

Claudelands Arena

Crowned 'Large Venue of the Year' at the 2019 EVANZ Awards, Claudelands is a modern solution for live music, performance, sport, exhibitions and more. Claudelands has a rich cultural history, and has been hosting events in Hamilton since the late 1800s. The extensive redevelopment of Claudelands began in 2007 and an Open Day was held to mark its re-opening in June 2011. Claudelands' award-winning design is a reflection of the unique cultural and ecological nature of the area. Claudelands is committed to sustainability, with a series of initiatives already in place and others currently being developed.

Still got questions? Reach out to our team at

events@silverfernfarms.co.nz

AGENDA

DAY ONE

Welcome BBQ and National Boning Competition Finals

DAY TWO

Welcome and Introduction

Markets and Marketing

Our Business

Workshops

Navigating a Changing World

Plate to Pasture Awards Dinner

DAY THREE

Tours and Workshops

VENUE:

Claudelands Arena

CREATING GOODNESS TOGETHER