Returns lift, costs down - DairyNZ
The outlook for dairy farmers this season has improved, especially when compared to forecasts only six months ago, according to DairyNZ.
DairyNZ say the government needs to rethink how environmental research is funded in New Zealand.
The call comes after a report by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upston argued that the current system was disjointed.
“We urge the Government to accept the PCE’s advice and reconsider our national strategy and funding allocation for environmental research,” said DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle.
Mackle says that New Zealand faces significant challenges to reduce its environmental footprint, reduce emissions and improve water quality.
“To be successful we will need substantial, long-term research investment based on a shared strategy,” he said.
“The current research is not having the impact it could,” he said.
Mackle explains that the current system is costly, cumbersome, and doesn’t always give funding to the areas that actually need it.
“Misplaced incentives around certain priorities can result in piecemeal projects at the expense of long-term vision and co-ordinated effort.”
He says that the result of these issues is a system that is splintered and drives mostly short-term and disconnected projects which have low accountability for impact.
Mackle argues that the projects need to bring together the expertise of researchers to achieve economic, social and environmental aspirations.
“The amount for research and development needs to be commensurate to the challenges and the opportunities for New Zealand,” he said.
“The dairy sector wants to be part of the solution and we are keen to see environmental research investment which delivers the desired outcomes for New Zealand’s environment.
“We want to see the government continue to invest in the dairy sector and other primary sector solutions and innovations.”
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.