South Island dairy farmers at their annual conference have been given a heartfelt message not to give up on their dreams.
The South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) started 12 years ago to support the increase of dairying in the South Island.
Five hundred people attended the three-day event, which featured a host of international and local speakers on the theme of opportunity.
SIDE chair Mark Shore, a South Otago dairy farmer, says its main focus was how to take advantage of the opportunities from the latest financial crisis.
He says the past two years have been particularly difficult for farmers with the global recession and drought, and they need some inspiration.
