increase font size
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel.
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says uncertainty in the dairy industry is causing farmers to think twice before investing big time in the sector.
He says while the banks are offering money to invest in the sector, farmers are taking quite a cautious approach.
He says this is because of several things such as the shortage of labour, government legislation and the milk price coming down.
“As a result, there is a real reluctance among farmers to borrow that extra money,” he says.
Van der Poel says that is a reflection of things at the moment, with confidence is quite low and people are worried about what the future may hold.
He says costs have gone up, the last two GDTs haven’t been positive and there is still a labour shortage. He says in the last three years farmers have had to work harder than they would have liked.
“It would appear that they are taking stock, sitting back for a while and seeing how things play out including what actions the Chris Hipkins government might take in the coming months,” he says.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its six-yearly Milksolids Levy vote, which will take place from Monday, 16 February to Friday, 13 March 2026.
DairyNZ has announced the date for its upcoming Milksolids Levy vote.
Alliance has announced a series of capital raise roadshow event, starting on 29 September in Tuatapere, Southland.
State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
OPINION: Westland Milk may have won the contract to supply butter to Costco NZ but Open Country Dairy is having…
OPINION: The Gene Technology Bill has divided the farming community with strong arguments on both the pros and cons of…
