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Andrew Hoggard.
Expect more flak from politicians and others as New Zealand moves into general election mode, says Federated Farmers Dairy chair Andrew Hoggard.
He told Dairy News that election year traditionally means people put the boot into dairy farmers for whatever reason; it’s a time when various parties offer solutions which normally mean taxing farmers more.
He says this past year has been pretty tough for farmers and everyone has dug deep to get through it, a few people dropping out because the going has got too hard.
“But it’s not only the payment side of it, but all the SAFEs and Greenpeaces who have put the boot into us. Everyone seems to have nitrogen myopia when it comes to water quality. They seem to forget that phosphates and E.coli and sediment are also problems that can occur in waterways. We have been under a siege mentality for the last year. But the payment side of things is looking positive.”
In an attempt to counter negative criticism Hoggard says he’s made a point of getting on the front foot by telling the public the true story about the dairy sector. Much of the criticism is due to the expansion of the dairy industry, he says.
“Dairy has done well and this has had an impact to some degree. I don’t know if the criticism was unjust, but certainly the level of it was.
“I get annoyed that the good things dairy does don’t get recognised. There has been a concerted effort by farmers to mitigate things and the industry has improved the situation and it would be nice to occasionally get some credit for that.”
Hoggard says most New Zealanders have some understanding of dairying’s contribution to the economy, but he acknowledges it is hard for someone in, say, retailing in a city to think about the value of dairying.
Various mayors of Palmerston North, near where he lives, have said that if dairying was to go the local economy would be severely impacted.
Looking back on the last two years of low farmgate milk prices, Hoggard says dairy farmers should learn from this, especially the pressure of excessive debt.
“Farmers must budget on the fact that the industry will be up and down, and structure their businesses to meet that.”
They must also consider the environment, animal welfare and treating their staff well.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
OPINION: Well, the silly season is upon us and all us politicians are running around shaking babies and kissing hands, or maybe the other way around.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
Meat Industry Association data, released alongside the Red Meat Sector conference in Wellington, shows export value climbing across the US, China, UK and Canada.
Applications are set to open for the 2027 Zanda McDonald Award, a trans-Tasman award recognised for identifying and fast-tracking talented young leaders in agriculture and agribusiness.
