Rewarding farmers who embrace sustainability
Winners of DairyNZ’s Sustainability and Stewardship awards in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy.
Physical and mental wellbeing while farming under pressure will be a key subject at the 2015 South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) at Lincoln University from June 22-24.
DairyNZ specialist Dana Carver will speak about “the resilient farmer – keeping yourself strong amidst the ever-increasing pressures of farming”.
Her talk has been presented widely and is said to be popular across New Zealand.
“People love it because it focuses on real-world and farmer-specific solutions to the practicalities of keeping healthy. Telling someone they must sleep well is fine, but what are the practical things you can do for yourself when you’re spending half the night awake and worrying?” she says.
Her statistics will show that a lot more farmers are experiencing excessive stress, and she will talk about why farming is now more stressful than 30 years ago. “We will look at why the stresses are there, and think about what we can do as an industry to change the culture.”
Carver, herself a farmer, will outline research about what to do about stress so farming can be enjoyable. “This is the more exciting research – it focuses on the day-to-day reality of what it means to be healthy and is presented with a farming slant.
“I’m after practical questions from farmers on the detail of how to implement change, like how to fit exercise into a busy lifestyle, and what is needed to plan meals for healthy eating.
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.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait is showing no sign of bouncing back from its financial doldrums.
OPINION: It seems every bugger in this country can get an award these days.