Brightside

Schedule	Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4
9:00 AM - Registration	All	All	All	All
9:30 AM - Welcome & H&S	All	All	All	All
9:45 - 10:30 AM	Module 1	Module 2	Module 3	Module 4
10:30 - 11:15 AM	Module 4	Module 1	Module 2	Module 3
11:15- 12:00 PM	Module 3	Module 4	Module 1	Module 2
12:00 - 12:30 PM	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
12:30- 1:15 PM	Module 2	Module 3	Module 4	Module 1
1:15 - 3:00 PM - Speaker Panel	All	All	All	All

Are you passionate about agriculture and eager to shape the future of farming? The BrightSIDE Scholarship is here to support your journey.
This scholarship has been established as a part of the BrightSIDE programme to continue our mission of empowering future farmers beyond BrightSIDE's one-day event. It’s our way of giving back and investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders.

The BrightSIDE Scholarship is open to: Past BrightSIDE attendees pursuing further education or training in agriculture.

Individuals aiming to:

Enter university-level training in agricultural studies, or
Begin a career in the dairy industry with a recognised training provider, or
Enhance their expertise as a working farmer through a high-level course

Successful applicants will receive funding up to $3000 to support their education or training in agriculture.

How to Apply

Take this opportunity to grow your future, contribute to the success of agriculture, and become a leader in the field. Watch this space for information on how to apply for 2026.

Message from the 2026 Event Chair, Tom Chapman

by Tineka Johnstone • 4 February 2026

“The best investment you can make, is an investment in yourself.” - Warren Buffet. The words of the world’s most successful investor Warren Buffet resonate me with me as chair of the 2026 South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) Committee. SIDE is a place where farmers come together to network, share knowledge and create long-term value through personal growth. It is an exciting time for our industry a record Farm Gate Milk Price last season & a strong positive outlook for the foreseeable future are driving an appetite for land use change with improved environmental outcomes. We will always face challenges both now & into the future. How we innovate, adapt & evolve to manage these challenges will define our success. The 2026 SIDE event committee is privileged to be holding the event at Lincoln University, a cornerstone of agricultural learning in the South Island. We have chosen the theme of “Turn Knowledge into Value” and are working hard to put together a range of workshops aiming to inspire the next generation of leaders. I am excited to hear from our fantastic line-up of industry leading farmers & scientists along with keynote speakers, Zion Armstrong, Cameron Bagrie, Dr John Roche & MC Julia Jones. SIDE was founded on the commitment of people; this has continued over the past 27 years, aiding in the development of dairy farming in the South Island as we know it today. Our industry is New Zealand’s largest exporter generating around 23 billion dollars of revenue annually. People are critical to its long-term success, and we must continue to invest in them and grow them. Deciding to attend SIDE 2026 is an investment in yourself, one I hope you will find truly rewarding. I look forward to seeing you all at the event, to learn, network & unwind. Tom Chapman, 2026 Event Chair, and Contract Milker from Mayfield