For the first time, there is an opportunity to join three different half day field trips to visit aspects of the food and fibre value chain in the Manawatū. After the fieldtrip finishes, you will be brought to Matt and Jana Hocken’s award-winning farm for a casual dinner in their hay barn. Dinner is an opportunity to mix and mingle. There will be a small number of speakers to set the scene for the E Tipu Summit.
The fieldtrips will take place from 13.30-17.00.
Dinner will take place at Grassmere Farm from 17.30 – 20.00.
The cost of the ticket is $120 + GST
- All field trips will have return transport from the I-Site in Palmerston North Square.
- This price includes a 'family style' dinner on a farm.
- Please note there is limited availability for each field trip.
Field trip 1:
Stewart Dairylands and Grassmere Farms:
Capacity: 70 spaces
Want the opportunity to visit an award-winning farm? Come and join us for an afternoon visit to two local award-winning dairy farms that use virtual fencing and a lean approach to farming.
Stewart Dairylands is part of a generational family farm that has been farming the land in Hiwinui for over 120 years. Situated in the Manawatu, on the boundary of Palmerston North, the Stewarts farm 580 hectares of land. As a seasonal dairy farm, they milk over 800 cows twice a day for around 300 days of the year. They have diversified into feed crops and tourism with a five-star lodge for weddings, boutique accommodation, and a health and beauty spa.
Grassmere farm consists of approximately 920 Friesian dairy cows, 500 young and replacement cows and 100 Friesian and Angus cross bulls. The Hocken’s have two dairy platforms of approx. 130 and 153 hectares effective, each with a 50-bale automated rotary shed. Grassmere are leaders in innovation and technological advancement on farm. As part of the Rural Innovation Lab, they are a pilot SmartFarm and are often the first to test cutting edge Ag technology that will improve farming practices.
Tour hosts: James Stewart and Mat Hocken
Field trip 2:
Fonterra and Plant and Food Research:
Capacity: 40 spaces
Ever wondered what is behind the science of food production? Come and join us for an afternoon around the FoodHQ campus at Fonterra and Plant and Food Research.
At Plant and Food Research you would have the opportunity to visit the Pilot Clinical Facility – one-of-a-kind food health function - with a showcase of the food products that have been developed. And then get down and dirty with insects at the bioconversion facility a technology that supports circular bioeconomy.
At the Fonterra Research and Development Centre spend time understanding the nature of the food innovation undertaken by our largest dairy company. Sample some of the products created for our overseas markets, tour the pilot plant facilities where new products are trialled and tested and tour the labs.
Tour host: Victoria Hatton FoodHQ
Field trip 3:
Logistics and Distribution Hub:
Capacity: 12 spaces
About the Tour: Te Utanganui (The Central New Zealand Distribution Hub) is a key pillar project for the region and will play a critical part on contributing to the movement of FMCG, primary goods, and manufacturing as we gear up to meet the government’s target of doubling exports by 2034. Or you might just be interested to see how toilet paper and chocolates get from the factory to the supermarket. The tour will open with a presentation about Te Utanganui and then have a site visit to two distribution centres and conclude with a full precinct tour.
All delegates will need to have a high vis vest and closed toe footwear. All delegates will leave with a goodie bag.
Tour Host: Jerry Shearman CEDA
Field trip 4:
Massey University Agrifood Tour:
Capacity: 25 spaces
Whenua Haumanu is a collaboration between Massey University and the Ministry for Primary Industries, supported by the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund. It’s New Zealand’s most comprehensive program focused on regenerative pastoral practices. During the tour, you’ll visit our research sites to learn about the practical impacts of our work on farmers, primary industries, and the food sector.
You'll also visit The Feast Lab to get an inside look at how we conduct sensory and consumer testing to predict product preferences and help industries create products that meet consumer needs.
At FoodPilot on Massey University’s Manawatū campus, the team turns food and beverage ideas into real products using the largest collection of pilot-scale food processing equipment in the Southern Hemisphere. The FoodPilot team works with New Zealand food businesses to address production challenges.
Lastly, at the Human Nutrition Research Unit, you'll discover how we assess the impact of different foods and diets on people’s health and well-being.
Tour hosts: Professor Danny Donaghy, Professor Joanne Hort, Nikki Middleditch, Professor Louise Brough, and Dr Janet Weber.
Please select your preferred field trip option below.
