Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Unvaccinated dairy farmers won't be able to attend in-person events run by DairyNZ.
The industry-good body says it is following the guidance of the Government's Covid protection framework or the 'traffic light system'.
DairyNZ's general manager farm performance, Sharon Morrell, says this means attendees will need to present their My Vaccine pass at DairyNZ run in-person events.
"Since the first lockdown, DairyNZ has also been offering many of our events online, as farmers have told us they like to have a choice whether to attend in person or virtually," Morell told Rural News.
"We will continue to review how we host events over the coming months, should government guidance change.
"Like other event organisers nationwide, our priority is providing a safe environment for those attending, and most farmer feedback we have received, so far, supports this approach."
Morrell says it's important that DairyNZ listens to farmer feedback and provides them with different options to access its services.
"We engage with farmers in a range of ways, including in-person meetings, farm visits, emails, phone calls and video conferencing. We provide information and resources, undertake research to provide farmers with solutions, and provide events."
DairyNZ is developing a new website - its busiest farmer channel.
"We are also focused on making our services more accessible to farmers, for example, we now offer regular podcasts and are shifting to make more use of videos and social media, based on farmer feedback," says Morrell.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme.
OPINION: The Government needs to act now to address consenting issues faced by farmers throughout the country.
NZ First leader Winston Peters has continued his criticism of Fonterra to sell its brand business to the French company Lactalis, saying the move is "utter madness".
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
New Zealand Young Farmers (NZYF) has launched a new initiative designed to make it easier for employers to support their young team members by covering their NZYF membership.

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