Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
The massive change taking place in the dairy industry has the potential to prevent ambitious young people making a career in the sector.
So says Labour's spokesperson for Primary Industries, Damien O'Connor.
O'Connor says reports of a huge drop in the number of 50/50 share milkers who have given up hope of one day owning their own farm is concerning. He says the rise of corporate and multi-farm operations means there is no place in these operations for 50/50 sharemilkers.
"This raises the question 'how do we keep on attracting ambitious people into the industry who believe they can purchase their own farm?' Some will now have to have other aspirations."
O'Connor believes the opening farmgate price for milk set by Fonterra at $4.25/kgMS for the 2016-17 season, will again mean a majority of NZ dairy farmers will not make a profit next year -- a huge challenge for the dairy industry.
He hopes the price set by Fonterra is "realistic" and not like the past, when the stated price was seemingly based on what might happen in better times.
"What is needed is a very cautious approach. There are people indicating there might be higher prices and that is giving others false hope. In any event, farmers should be focusing on keeping costs down, especially while the payout is still below the cost of production."
"We are no longer the lowest cost producers of milk. We have to get back or close to that. This crisis will hopefully drive down the cost of production so that dairy farmers can survive tough times."
The Labour MP warns farmers to carefully study the governance proposals being put out by the Fonterra board. He says farmers need to be thinking very carefully about what's being put before them and make sure it is in their long term interests.
A year on and the problems created by Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle has largely dropped off the radar of media and politicians.
The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.
Less Wellington bureucracy and more local, on-farm common sense was the focus of recent meetings held in South Canterbury as part of the Government's National Woolshed tour program.
'A lot of interest and positive responses' appears to be the way farmers are viewing the Government's initiative to hold a series of woolshed meetings around the country.
A Southland farming leader wants the regional council to delay a proposed regional rates hike, much of which is intended to fund flood protection works.