Championing Change in Dairy Training: Tyree Connor at the Milk Quality Conference 2025

At this year’s Milk Quality Conference, our CEO Tyree Connor delivered a powerful and thought-provoking presentation on the urgent need to reform dairy training in Aotearoa. Drawing from her experience in vocational education and industry engagement, Tyree highlighted the critical gaps in current training delivery—particularly around milk quality.

Her presentation called attention to declining learner engagement, fragmented delivery models, and a lack of subject-matter expertise in course design. But it wasn’t just a critique—it was a call to action.

Tyree proposed a bold, industry-led solution: the development of a streamlined training pipeline that meets farmers where they are, supports the transient workforce, and restores relevance and impact to on-farm learning.

Backed by real-world insights and supported by a visually engaging presentation, Tyree’s message resonated strongly with attendees. Her proposed collaborative model—which includes industry-endorsed resources and tutor accreditation—is designed to disrupt the status quo and drive meaningful change across the sector.

As Tyree noted:
“If our training truly met the needs of farmers, they’d pay for it without question—because it would deliver real value on-farm.”