DairyNZ announces levy referendum date
DairyNZ has announced the date for its upcoming Milksolids Levy vote.
Farmers may soon expect to get better advice from dairy farm consultants, says the NZ Institute for Primary Industries Management (NZIPIM), which launched a certification scheme last week at its annual conference in Ashburton.
The Dairy Farm Systems Certification Scheme is the work of DairyNZ, dairy farm systems consultants and NZIPIM, which will develop and test the scheme’s assessment methods and offer training to ensure the material stays current and relevant.
The scheme will recognise and promote the competency of consultants working on DairyNZ’s sustainable milk plans, whole farm assessments and interpretation of DairyBase benchmarking reports.
NZIPIM chief executive Stephen Macaulay says dairy farmers need to be sure about the advice they receive, especially at this time of “price volatility, and scrutiny by consumers and communities to ensure food is produced to a high standard and sustainably”.
“To become certified, consultants will have to pass a competency assessment in all aspects of farm systems, complete an ethics module, receive positive feedback from farmer clients on their knowledge base and communication skills, and provide evidence of ‘in the field’ work such as whole farm assessments.” These report on farm systems, identify risks and opportunities and make recommendations in line with a farm’s business strategy.
“The scheme recognises the competency and capability of farm consultants and provides a level of certainty for [farmers] about the quality of the advice they receive. In time it will give regional councils, banks, accountants and milk companies greater confidence in making referrals.”
Nine consultants have so far begun their assessment; most practicing consultants will work to get certified in the next few years. Certified consultants will be named on the NZIPIM’s website and promoted via other industry websites.
Fonterra has unveiled the first refrigerated electric truck to deliver dairy products across Auckland.
Research and healthcare initiatives, leadership and dedication to the sector have been recognised in the 2025 Horticulture Industry Awards.
Virtual fencing and pasture management company Halter says its NZ operations has delivered a profit of $2.8 million after exclusion of notional items.
Manuka honey trader Comvita slumped to a $104 million net loss last financial year, reflecting prolonged market disruption, oversupply and pricing volatility.
The Government has struck a deal with New Zealand's poultry industry, agreeing how they will jointly prepare for and respond to exotic poultry diseases, including any possible outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).
The conversion of productive farmland into trees has pretty much annihilated the wool industry.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery…
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.