Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
FEDERATED FARMERS last week officially launched its election manifesto during the early morning rush hour at Wellington train station.
The commuters took little notice of the (mostly) dark-suited men gathered around a small podium, but in the capital the document itself will score brownie points for the Federation.
President Bruce Wills says though dairying gets only limited specific mention in the manifesto, in fact issues affecting the sector feature all through the document. Feds decided not to single out specific sectors but to focus instead on generic issues affecting all pastoral farming.
Such issues as NAIT, ETS, water, science and many more apply to all sectors. But in the manifesto, Wills and the new Feds board signal a more conciliatory approach to dealing with complex and controversial environmental issues.
"Farmers have two options," Wills says. "If we chose not to front foot some of these obligations on the environment and take greater responsibility for our actions than we have in the past, we're going to end up an overly regulated industry. In the European Union and the US farming is very heavily regulated.... New Zealand hasn't gone down that track yet."
Wills is asking farmers to be more open and honest about their environmental footprint and to work pragmatically and positively with councils to satisfy community concerns. He hopes this will avert long term the burden of regulations under which farmers labour in most other countries.
"We need to listen to the concerns of our urban population and our markets and what they are telling us. They say, 'hey, we love your food New Zealand, and we like what you're doing, but take care of the environment.' We must listen to that."
The solutions to these problems will come from good science, Wills is certain. "We can produce more food off less land with a smaller footprint but we've got to do it by being smarter and using sensible science."
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.