increase font size
DairyNZ director Colin Glass.
It's an exciting time in the dairy sector. There is so much change happening: we have a new strategy, ‘Dairy Tomorrow’, and changes to the DairyNZ board, to name a few.
I’ve seen a marked change in dairy farmers over the past year too.
People outside the sector may think I’m referring to the extensive work farmers are doing to make their farms more environmentally sustainable. But as you all know, this isn’t new; farmers have been doing this for a long time.
The change is that farmers are stepping up and telling their story. This has been a challenge for many who are naturally humble and have struggled to accept that they need to engage more with their communities and take them on their journey.
Dairy farmers, I believe your efforts are paying off: how the public feels about dairy is changing. I hope you are all starting to see that. The public are starting to see your hard work and investment in looking after the environment. Many Kiwis now realise that dairy farmers care about the land, the waterways and their cows.
We need to continue opening people’s eyes to what the sector is doing and what’s really happening onfarm.
Helping change the public’s perception of dairy farming is among the things that motivated me to put my name forward to become a director of DairyNZ.
I want New Zealanders to be proud of dairy, as I am, as you are and as our ancestors were.
Globally, New Zealand dairy is highly regarded. Wouldn’t it be nice if NZers felt the same way? I believe if we keep doing what we’re doing this will be achieved.
My father used to say that when you get up in the morning, if you haven’t got a couple of problems to solve to give you passion or drive in your day, then you need to find some promptly. I’ve always embraced this motto and believe the last few years show farmers do too.
We’ve faced our fair share of challenges but we’ve stood up and taken responsibility to address them.
I’ve never known anyone on a farm, or in the industry, who doesn’t wake up not wanting to do the best they can. For many of us, dairy isn’t just a job, it’s our home, it’s what we live and breathe, and we’re all trying to make a difference to leave it better than when we found it.
I’m excited to be a part of this new stage in our progress, and to help NZ dairy go from strength to strength.
• Colin Glass was recently elected a director of DairyNZ.
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.
