Noelle Fox is adjusting to a new role in a new country.
Ms Fox was appointed DairyNZ North Canterbury consulting officer in February. She is from the central Ireland town of Mullingar in county Westmeath, where her family owns a beef, sheep and tillage farm.
She said she was enjoying meeting dairy farmers as she supported them in achieving their goals.
''Part of my role is to bring dairy farmers together at discussion groups and facilitate the sharing of ideas as well as giving them access to technical information when they need it,'' Ms Fox said.
This was not Ms Fox's first time in New Zealand. After studying agricultural science at University College in Dublin she ventured south for work experience.
She returned to Ireland and spent two years teaching agriculture-related courses at polytechnic level, completed further studies and then worked at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food where she specialised in pesticide regulation at national and European level.
During the 2011 Rugby World Cup Noelle returned to New Zealand and after meeting an Irishman, who lived and worked in Christchurch, decided to make the move permanent.
Ms Fox likes the format of the DairyNZ discussion groups.
''They are centred on seasonal topics and address other relevant on-farm issues.
''Host farmers receive independent advice, peer feedback and a written action plan outlining opportunities for them and their farm business.''
Most farmers she had spoken to had been pleased with the conditions this winter.
Bad weather at the end of June saw heavy falls of snow, sleet and rain in some parts which had a negative effect on ground conditions.
However, pasture growth rates have exceeded expectations in both June and July with many farmers reporting higher-than-expected average pasture covers on the milking platform.
''Many farmers reported widespread grass grub damage during the autumn which will contribute to slower growth in September compared to a good year,'' Ms Fox said.
''Utilisation and management of pasture from now until balance date is key.''
She advised farmers to check pasture cover and start thinking about spring preparation.
''Look at DairyNZ's Spring Rotation Planner and get a gauge on where you are now and where you need to be by balance date. Basically the key is to monitor, measure and plan.
''Do a feed budget and manage pastures carefully in the lead up to spring growth.''
She said another issue might be feed availability as supplements have been consumed to deal with the weather and starting with a lower-than-idealavailability as people had to use some of the winter grazing to cope with the dry summer and autumn conditions.
''As calving gets under way remember to continue to monitor the progress of young stock as they were the ones that suffered the most during the nasty weather in June.''
Ms Fox is based in DairyNZ's Lincoln office and her area covers Banks Peninsula, Oxford, Rangiora, Cheviot and Kaikoura. She can be contacted at: noelle.fox@dairynz.co.nz or 021-246-2775.