Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
While debate continues to swirl around environmental issues and dairy farming, Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says farmers were not the only ones contributing to the country's water quality issues.
"I do get concerned that dairy farmers in particular get labeled as polluters, when there are a raft of other factors affecting water quality, including business waste, urban and rural discharges and sewerage disposal," she says.
"We need to take the water quality issue seriously, but we need good scientific data to do so. Regional council rushing to make policy decisions, without the facts, will not be good for this country.
"I believe farmers, as caretakers of their land, are taking the water quality issue seriously. There has been some fantastic work undertaken around the country in regard to effluent disposal and nutrient management.
"This season Fonterra has introduced a Supply Fonterra Nitrogen Management Programme, with the key goal of providing farmers with reliable information about their farm's nitrogen use, and to support farmers with improving nitrogen management and water quality over time.
"DairyNZ has also invested a great deal in educational programmes and support for dairy farmers, while farmers in places like Otago and Southland have invested heavily upgrading their effluent storage facilities.
"Water quality is crucial to this country's future – we have to get it right. But we also have to ensure that we do the research and come up with effective solutions which don't penalise a particular sector."
More like this
Karl Dean elected new Federated Farmers dairy chair, focuses on sector's future
New Federated Farmers national dairy chair Karl Dean is looking forward to tackling the issues facing the sector.
Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
McIntyre thanks farmers as he prepares to bow out of Feds
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
Matt Bolger returns to Fonterra to lead co-operative affairs division
Fonterra's co-op model and what it does for New Zealand has lured one of its bright stars back on board.
Popular Reads
Two milk processing plants changing hands
Two large milk processing plants in New Zealand are changing hands.
Waikato dairy farmers enter 2025 regional council elections
Two Waikato dairy farmers and Federated Farmers leaders have thrown their hats in the ring for this year's Waikato Regional…Farmer anger over Joy's social media post
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of…Fonterra consumer business sale price jumps to $4.22b
The sale price of Fonterra’s global consumer and associated businesses to the world’s largest dairy company Lactalis has risen to…Open Country finalises acquisition of Miraka Limited
Open Country Dairy has finalised a deal to acquire 100% of Miraka.Featured
Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure
Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.
Southland landowners offered catchment funding boost
Environment Southland's catchment improvement funding is once again available for innovative landowners in need of a boost to get their project going.
People-first philosophy pays off
The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.
Farmer anger over Joy's social media post
A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.
Editorial: Rural sector deserves better
OPINION: The phasing out of copper network from communications is understandable.
From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey
Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.
National
Strong production, tested demand send milk prices crashing
Strong global milk production and rebalancing of demand among key buyers has delivered one of the biggest drops in whole…
ACC urges safety during spring calving
Dairy farmers around the country are into the busy spring calving period.Rural NZ faces shift as copper network deregulation looms
Rural communities say support is required to shift away from the copper network that has been the only source of…Chris Lewis ready for another term
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.DairyNZ announces 2026 milksolids levy vote dates
DairyNZ has announced the date for its six-yearly Milksolids Levy vote, which will take place from Monday, 16 February to…Machinery & Products
Revamp for Valtra's A Series models
Valtra has recently announced upgrades to the fifth generation A Series, offered to the New Zealand market in the four…
JDLink Boost for NZ farms
Connectivity is widely recognised as one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, but it is now being overcome through the…Pöttinger: From grassland machinery to global innovator
Formed in 1871, Austrian agricultural machinery manufacturer Pottinger originally focused on producing grassland machinery for a little over a century.New generation Defender HD11
The all-new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11 looks likely to raise the bar in the highly competitive side-by-side category.Transpread launches compact single-axle pumping trailer
Umbilical pumping specialists Transpread have designed a compact, single-axled version of its Contractor trailer engine-driven pump system, offering reduced dimensions…» Latest Print Issues Online
Milking It
Buttery prize
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
Gene Bill rumours
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…
» eNewsletter
