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.
Almost constant rain will have long term implications for dairy farmers in the North Island, says DairyNZ’s general manager of extension, Andrew Reid.
He says the wet spring has caused a range of problems which will affect the amount of pasture that can be grown and harvested as silage.
Early-season grass is still growing but because the ground has been so wet the cows have trampled the feed, making utilisation poor.
Most dairy farms north of Cook Strait have been affected by the wet spring, Reid says.
“It also meant that because the ground was so wet, contractors had difficulties getting tractors on. So harvesting silage and sowing crops, especially maize, has been delayed two-four weeks and that will have a carry-on effect into the season with later planting dates and less time for crops to respond – a significant issue at this time.”
Reid says in Northland the ground temperature is about two degrees lower than normal, so grass growth has been slower than normal for the time of year.
Two things might ease pressure on some farms, he says. Some dairy farmers have lowered their stocking rate, reducing feed demand from the levels of one year ago. And there is the prospect of a higher farmgate milk price, now set by Fonterra at $6/kgMS.
“The encouraging thing at this time of year is pasture is growing and every windy day is a day of dry and sun to increase the sugar levels in the grass which has been a big problem.”
The late season in the North Island puts a question-mark over whether farmers will be able to harvest sufficient silage to see them through the year. DairyNZ has noticed more farmers are diligent in accurately measuring their pasture quantities by taking time to do farm walks and paying attention to feed budgets.
Some farmers last season skipped herd tests, but Reid is not aware of it happening this season.
He advises farmers applying nitrogen to take care about quantities. The idea of ‘pasture first’, as promoted by DairyNZ, requires farmers to be more diligent in farm management.
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.