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OPINION: New Zealand farmers have earned the right to be recognised as true world leaders in agricultural innovation.
Prime Minister John Key says the lower dairy payout brings an even greater need for innovation in the primary sector.
Opening the 47th National Fieldays at Mystery Creek, Key noted that the theme of the event – innovation – was appropriate and critical for New Zealand to keep its place as a leading producer of primary products and for the economic survival of many people.
The PM says NZ is now using science to do many things better, such as producing more and better lambs from fewer ewes and improving their survival rates.
“All sorts of businesses here at Fieldays are geared to basically improve the productivity and profitability of what is happening on farm. If you walk around the 1000 displays here, a lot of them have an innovation or science bent. NZ productivity on farm has been dramatically rising and businesses are becoming a lot more productive. It’s one of the reasons why they are able to cope with a higher exchange rate.”
Key says everyone knows dairy is going through a tough time, but last year dairy farmers were looking at an $8.40/kgMS payout.
“It feels a bit tough now when our poor old dairy farmers are looking at a payout that’s got 4 in front of it. That shows why it is so important we keep innovating on farm because we can’t stop the cycles of commodity prices and the variation of exchange rates.
“But it’s at the toughest of times that we have to keep investing on farm and using that research and new techniques to make sure we lift profitability in what we are doing. Dairy farmers are probably feeling a bit nervous at the moment, but I am told things are going to recover.”
Key says the news that Fonterra is to shed staff and that its performance is being questioned is healthy – inasmuch as it’s the [farmers’] right to challenge the board and make sure they [the farmers] feel comfortable with its directions and decisions. But Key says it’s not for him to make a judgement as he is not an owner of Fonterra. He sees a lot of good things coming out of Fonterra.
He is also impressed with the efforts of the other primary sector groups, and he singled out kiwifruit as a sector that is picking up.
“It wasn’t that long ago that PSa was wreaking havoc in the kiwifruit industry. Today we are seeing kiwifruit doing immensely well,” Key says.
Fonterra has cemented its position as the country’s number one cheesemaker by picking up nine NZ Champion of Cheese trophies this year.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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