Dairy

Dairy farmers say ‘yes’ to milksolids levy

Levy paying dairy farmers have voted to continue the sector’s milksolids levy. The one in six-year milksolids levy vote closed on May 30, with provisional results showing 57 percent of the 11,747 levy paying dairy farmers voted – and of those who voted, 69 percent voted ‘yes’ to continuing the levy. Weighting the vote by milksolids production shows even greater representation and support for the levy, with this year’s votes equating to a 67 percent farmer vote and 74 percent voting ‘yes’. DairyNZ, the industry good body for dairy farmers, is funded by the milksolids levy. Chair Jim van der Poel said the vote provides DairyNZ with confidence as it heads into the future. “New Zealand’s dairy sector is progressive and our farmers have illustrated a clear mandate that they want an industry good organisation which represents and supports them to continue as a successful sector,” said Mr van der Poel. “The milksolids levy underpins a wide range of industry good work, including the sector strategy Dairy Tomorrow, and we are pleased this year’s levy vote will enable DairyNZ to continue that work on behalf of dairy farmers.” The milksolids levy vote was a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote for each levy paying farm owner, sharemilker or leaseholder. “Final results will be available once the total milksolids produced for the 2019/20 season is known in late June. However, we don’t expect any significant change.” A clear indication of farmer support is required for DairyNZ to make a new levy application to the Minister for Primary Industries to approve the ongoing levy for the next six years. “I’d like to thank every dairy farmer who voted. Having a farmer mandate gives us a stronger voice when important decisions are underway, where sector feedback can result in significant change.” Mr van der […]

Essential changes made to freshwater regulations, but issues remain

Sector feedback has resulted in significant change to the Government’s Essential Freshwater package but there is still a sting in the tail, says DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle. “Over the last eight months DairyNZ has advocated for an evidence-based and pragmatic approach to freshwater regulation. We are pleased to see Government has listened and made significant changes to some of the more controversial elements of their original proposal,” said Dr Mackle. “Like all New Zealanders, dairy farmers share ambitions for healthy waterways and have invested a lot of time and money for over a decade in improved management systems, upgrading effluent systems, riparian planting and fencing streams to exclude cattle. “Looking at where the policy has landed, it appears that the Government have taken a better approach in terms of scientific rigour and practicality for farmers on the ground.” Dr Mackle said although farmers will have a generation to implement the changes needed, the regulatory settings they see today will influence their confidence to invest for the future. “The Government have parked the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) measure and removed the impractical and expensive requirement for farmers to move existing fences to meet new stock exclusion guidelines. These two issues were of great concern for farmers so this will provide reassurance.” Dr Mackle said it is pleasing the Government listened to DairyNZ’s guidance on using the nitrate toxicity measure, which will achieve the environmental outcomes with less economic and social disruption. “While we agree that nitrate toxicity is the right measure, we disagree with the standard which has been set. DairyNZ advocated for 3.8 as a significant progression on the old NPS and double the existing standard.” Dr Mackle says the proposed 95% protection standard will severely affect […]

Mycoplasma bovis eradication reaches two year milestone in good shape

New Zealand’s world-first plan to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is on track the latest technical data shows, says Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor. “Two years ago the Government, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and industry partners made a bold decision to go hard and commit to a 10-year, $880 million programme to eradicate M. bovis to protect our most important sector and the economy. “Recent events have shown what an important moment this decision was for our economy. “Had we thrown up our hands and said ‘it’s too hard’ and left this disease to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of Covid-19 and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have. “Beef and dairy export prices have held up. In fact, there was record demand for our meat. In March total red meat monthly exports topped $1 billion for the first time. This shows that these sectors are well-placed to lead us out of this economic crisis. “As we have with our response to COVID-19, this Government showed leadership, made a tough decision and have managed this eradication effort with discipline and focus, because we knew we were doing it for the economic and social good of the country. “We’ve also shown, again, that we’re able to do what others countries have not in terms of disease eradication efforts. That’s something our farming community should be really proud of. I’m certainly very proud of them. “One key measure of success, the Estimated Dissemination Rate (EDR), shows strongly that we have M. bovis firmly in our sights. If the EDR is greater than one, then the disease is growing. If it’s below one, we’re shrinking the disease. “The EDR is now […]

Jobs aplenty, good pay on dairy farms for COVID unemployed

DairyNZ wants people who have lost jobs due to COVID-19 know there is plenty of work on dairy farms, especially in Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Southland – and that they might well earn more than in their previous role. With the national unemployment rate forecast to rise sharply due to COVID-19, DairyNZ is encouraging people to consider work on dairy farms in a new Go Dairy campaign that also includes entry level training to help their transition to farming. Immediately, there are 1,000 jobs up for grabs on dairy farms, says DairyNZ’s chief executive Dr Tim Mackle. “As the new season gets under way on June 1, even more positions are likely to become available,” says Dr Mackle. “For people who’re looking for work and like the idea of caring for animals and the environment, there are lots of jobs – and career progression opportunities.” People interested in knowing more about working on dairy farms, where the jobs are and the introductory training can visit godairy.co.nz/career-changers where they can register their interest. While the Go Dairy career changers campaign, which is supported by Federated Farmers, aims to create awareness of the job opportunities, there is a big emphasis on ensuring new staff understand what is involved in farm life. “We want a win-win situation – for new dairy farming employees to be happy and fulfilled in their new lifestyle and jobs, and for farm employers to have great talent working for them,” Dr Mackle says. He adds that dairy also pays one of the highest average wages of all the primary sectors. “For the most part, we’re anticipating interested people will be from the regions where there are big job losses in tourism and hospitality – and where there is dairying close […]

Trade Me comes to Fieldays

New Zealand’s number one digital marketplace, Trade Me, has partnered with Fieldays to deliver their first ever online event. The online powerhouse is set to streamline Fieldays’ digital transactions and customer service experience. “It makes sense at a time of global uncertainty that two trustworthy brands come together. Trade Me, like Fieldays, is all about connecting people and businesses. It’s a winning combination, to have them on board ensures we have our digital platforms and transactions running perfectly,” says New Zealand National Fieldays Society CEO Peter Nation. Now a household name, over 1.5 million Kiwis visit Trade Me daily and the platform offers greater opportunities to reach a wider audience. “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the New Zealand National Fieldays Society to power online sales and help with marketing the 2020 Virtual Fieldays to Kiwis. The agricultural sector makes up a massive part of our Trade Me community and we’d like to help make this ‘first of its kind’ event a success,” says Ivan Fuyala, Head of Audience at Trade Me. For over 50 years Kiwis and those around the globe have trusted The New Zealand National Fieldays Society to deliver an iconic event that brings town and country together. “This is a first for Fieldays, we know the physical event and all it entails is incomparable, but we’re determined to deliver a world class event despite the current circumstances we face as a nation and globally,” says Nation. Fieldays is attended by approximately 130,000 people every year. From the beloved Tractor Pull competition to the Innovations Centre, Fieldays is a space for old friends to catch up, entrepreneurs to launch their innovations and businesses to connect and generate sales with their customers. The Southern Hemisphere’s largest agri-event generates approximately $180M for the local economy, while on a national level it provides […]

DairyNZ calls for ‘split gas’ Paris target

DairyNZ is urging the Government’s Independent Climate Change Commission to bring our international emissions reduction targets in line with our domestic targets legislated in the Zero Carbon Act by taking a ‘split gas’ approach, chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says. “Last year New Zealand took a world leading approach by legislating a split gas target in the Zero Carbon Act,” Dr Mackle says. “This recognised that methane is a short-lived gas and requires a different approach to the long-lived carbon dioxide. “While we need to take carbon to net zero, we can achieve a situation where we are no longer adding to global warming by reducing and stabilising our methane emissions.” New Zealand’s international target is currently expressed as a reduction of all greenhouse gases by 30 percent on 2005 levels. “This is a misalignment with our domestic policy and what the science has said on methane. Having an international target that splits the gases will send a much clearer signal to the international community on why New Zealand’s approach is in line with a 1.5 degrees target,” said Dr Mackle. “It will also allow us to put something on the table that is domestically achievable, and it will support policy alignment with what was legislated last year through the Zero Carbon Bill. “We are urging the Climate Change Commission to consider if New Zealand’s international target should be recommunicated as a split gas target, the same as how we are approaching this issue domestically. “While the Commission is reviewing our Paris Commitments, they should also be reviewing our domestic targets – particularly the methane reduction target which is set as a broad range – to ensure they are fair and appropriate in a New Zealand context,” Dr Mackle concluded.

Fieldays 2020 pioneering a digital future

The future of Fieldays is secure despite the ongoing developments of the COVID-19 virus. Event organisers, the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, are pioneering an entirely new experience of Fieldays that will ensure its longevity in an age of social isolation and measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Visitors will get a taste of the event via a virtual experience on digital platforms until the physical event is able to take place. Following the governmental announcement on Monday 16th of March, to cancel all large gatherings of over 500 people, the Society knew this was an opportunity to adapt the Fieldays event in an innovative way. The virtual experience promises to offer an entirely new spin on the event whilst retaining all it’s treasured parts. From Fieldays Future Focus talks to the beloved Fieldays Innovation programme, the technology will allow for an immersive experience from the comfort of one’s own home. “We understand the economic ramifications would be extensive if Fieldays was cancelled entirely hence why we’ve decided it’s a chance to be innovative in this time of global uncertainty. We’ll still be delivering a world class event on the world stage – albeit a digital version,” Society CEO Peter Nation says. “The event is treasured, not just to the agricultural industry but as Kiwis altogether. Many people save the date a year in advance. We know of people that have never missed a Fieldays! “The NZ agricultural industry is one of the most innovative and dynamic of its kind in the world. Crises are not new to the primary sector. We had M.Bovis a few years back, droughts, the GFC. These are all things farmers and communities have had to endure and ride through. Uncertainty has paved the way for innovation in times where there was no other […]

Pleasing that Moving Day can hit the road

DairyNZ and Federated Farmers are pleased to see certainty provided by the Government today, that Moving Day – or Moving Week as it will likely be – can proceed from June 1 for thousands of dairy farmers nationwide. Following the national COVID-19 lockdown, a Moving Day Working Group including DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Fonterra and FMG formed to identify solutions for the safe movement of people, livestock, machinery and goods when the new dairy season begins (June 1), while dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. The groups urgently advocated to Government to provide guidance for dairy farmers nationwide. “We are pleased the certainty we sought has been provided and dairy farmers now have reassurance they can move to new farms for the new dairy season in a way that also keeps them and the public as safe as possible,” said DairyNZ chief executive, Dr Tim Mackle. “Now we have clarity, we will be supporting dairy farmers with the detail to ensure their moves are safe and undertaken within the guidelines, particularly staying within their ‘bubbles’. “Being able to move will reduce concerns around animal welfare, farmer wellbeing and economic impacts which had potential to arise from any delay to Moving Day.” Each year thousandsof dairy farmers, sharemilkers, contract milkers and employees move to new farms to commence new employment, and contract milking or sharemilking contracts. Even without COVID-19 restrictions this is a huge logistical exercise, often spanning many days to get animals, gear and people relocated in a safe and secure manner. “Moving Week is a key part of the life of the dairy sector. This is how we enable people to progress their careers and their businesses,” said Federated Farmers national dairy chair, Chris Lewis. “It might sound strange to our friends living in the city, that we all move our […]

Dairy farmers to cast milksolids levy vote

Dairy farmers are encouraged to have their say in the milksolids levy vote 2020, which is now open for voting. It is a one-in-six year vote for industry good organisation, DairyNZ. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel said the milksolids levy funds industry good activities through DairyNZ which delivers dairy sector research, development, advocacy and expertise. “The milksolids levy has been part of New Zealand dairy farming for 17 years. Its roots are in funding work that enables farmers to continue thriving in an ever-changing world. With the challenges of COVID-19, the changing nature of farming has never been more real,” said Mr van der Poel. “I encourage farmers to vote and ensure their dairy farm neighbours and friends have their say too. DairyNZ is a farmer-owned organisation – it’s important we receive their vote to continue supporting our farmers through science, research and advocacy.” All levy payers – farm owners, sharemilkers and leaseholders – can place a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote until 5pm, May 30. The current levy order expires in November and is required by Government legislation, through the Commodity Levies Act 1990. Levy paying farmers contribute 3.6c per kilogram of milksolids (kgMS) produced. “DairyNZ represents dairy farmers and helps deliver a better future for them and all New Zealanders, through a thriving dairy sector. If there is a yes vote, farmers will continue to receive all the benefits of DairyNZ and we will continue to support the delivery of the Dairy Tomorrow strategy, which is the sector’s blueprint for the future.” “I believe in an organisation that exists to work exclusively for dairy farmers. Not many sectors have an industry-good organisation like ours. DairyNZ has helped us achieve real success as a sector and it’s a real strength for our future,” said Mr van der Poel. […]

Dairy committed to environmental journey

The Our Freshwater 2020 report released today highlights New Zealand’s environmental challenges and where we can all play our part. DairyNZ strategy and investment leader for environment, Dr David Burger, said dairy farmers are committed to protecting New Zealand’s environment and taking action on-farm to support that. “Our dairy sector is on the journey to improve and protect water quality outcomes and our farmers have been working toward this for over a decade. We are continuing to do more every year,” said Dr Burger. “The Freshwater 2020 report does draw some key themes together for urban, farming and forestry, and shows us that all land use has an impact on our freshwater.” However, Dr Burger said the report’s approach compares current water quality with native forest waterway condition, and DairyNZ believes it is therefore somewhat misleading. “We know that all development has an impact on water quality but it is unrealistic to compare to native forest state. An estimated 95 percent of total river length in pastoral catchments exceeded one or more guideline values simply because they are being compared to very high native forest standard,” said Dr Burger. “Interestingly, more than 50 percent of native waterways also failed to meet this criteria. This sets the benchmark very high for catchments with modified land use. “We welcome further work to develop a more robust environmental reporting system, which is important to understand how to best manage this complex issue, but to also provide assurance that all the environmental actions landowners undertake is leading to improved water quality outcomes.” Dr Burger said Our Freshwater 2020 does illustrates how vital the work underway is – particularly the importance of protecting and restoring wetlands, mitigating the impacts of all contaminants and improving ecosystem health. “We […]

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