Next conference is scheduled for
2026 in New Zealand,
details as at August 2024.
Our New Zealand friends have been working hard to draft a balanced itinerary which caters for all tastes. While it is a work in progress, there is sufficient detail for delegates to begin planning their 2026 Southern Hemisphere travel. Please encourage young breeders to attend by applying for the IRDBF Youth Scholarship, or by assistance from individual breed groups, or using their own initiative.
Application form for Youth Scholarship can found found at this link here
The programme is divided into three sections, with the pre tour beginning on Monday March 2nd in Auckland and concluding Friday March 6th in Palmerston North. It will showcase red herds, the dairy industry and tourist attractions in the Waikato, Rotorua , Taranaki and Manawatu regions.
● Monday 2nd: Arrive in Auckland, travel to Waikato region, farm visits in Ohinewai and Te Aroha, welcome dinner and overnight Hamilton.
● Tuesday 3rd: Visit farms in Ohaupo and Tirau, Hobbiton Movie Set tour or Maori cultural show with dinner and overnight in Rotorua.
● Wednesday 4th: Explore te puia maori carving and kiwi bird in Rotorua, visit Miraka dairy factory then overnight in New Plymouth.
● Thursday 5th: Farm visits in Stratford and Kaponga, overnight in Palmerston North.
● Friday 6th: Visit farm and Fielding Saleyards, Fonterra R&D Centre. Conference section begins.
The Conference section picks up at the end of day 5 as the pre-conference tour arrives at Palmerston North and so covers Friday the 6th to Sunday the 8th of March 2026. Delegates could choose to join after the Pre- tour by arriving directly in Palmerston North during Friday the 6th, in time for the evening proceedings.
● Friday 6th (evening): Welcome dinner, country reports, overnight in Palmerston North.
● Saturday 7th: Full day conference with keynote speakers, gala dinner. Palmerston North
● Sunday 8th: Farm visits, business meetings, closing buffet dinner. Palmerston North
The post conference tour begins on Monday March 9th, extending to Saturday March 14th 2026, with departures likely on Sunday 15th of March. The tour will showcase New Zealand’s South Island dairy farming and the best tourist attractions in the deep south.
● Monday 9th: Fly to Christchurch, visit Glenmore Farm, overnight in Ashburton.
● Tuesday 10th: Visit Red Cow Farm, sightseeing in McKenzie basin, overnight in Twizel.
● Wednesday 11th: Visit High Country King Salmon, travel to Queenstown.
● Thursday 12th: Leisure Day in Queenstown, travel to and overnight Te Anau.
● Friday 13th: Cruise on Doubtful Sound, overnight in Te Anau.
● Saturday 14th: Return to Queenstown, farewell dinner on T.S.S. Earnslaw.
● Sunday 15th: Depart Queenstown.
Start planning now to enjoy the best hospitality and sights in the “Land of The Long White Cloud”. There is an email address created for the conference info@reddairyconference2026.co.nz