The Federated Farmers 2010 National Conference kicked off in Invercargill with a strong turnout from farmers across the country.

The Feds say the three-day conference will give New Zealand’s farming leaders the chance to hear presentations and plans for the progressive development of New Zealand's largest and most important business - agriculture.

On Wednesday, the conference opened with its seven Industry Group meetings and the AGM’s of the Feds’ Dairy and the Feds’ Meat & Fibre groups.

Fonterra Chairman Sir Henry van der Heyden also addressed the gathering of dairy representatives while Silver Fern Farms Chief Executive Keith Cooper and Lincoln University’s Professor Caroline Saunders spoke to the Meat & Fibre session on “Sheep & Beef Farming 2020 – What Will It Look Like?”

Thursday at the conference, attendees will hear from Agriculture Minister David Carter, the Hon. Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition, Bruce Sheppard, Chair of the Shareholders Association, Don Elder, Chief Executive Officer of Solid Energy, and His Excellency David Huebner, Ambassador of the United States of America.

On the final day of the conference, participants will hear from Feds’ President Don Nicolson and Prime Minister John Key, focusing on agriculture’s challenges, opportunities, and success.