Dairy power
OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.
DairyNZ says the Government's decision to allow an extra 500 more international workers to help on dairy farms will help address the present shortage - estimated to be 4,000 workers.
Under the new government arrangement the number of international workers allowed into New Zealand under the 2022 dairy class exception visa will increase from 300 to 800. This is in addition to the 2021 dairy class exception visa which allowed 200 international workers to enter the country.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says his organisation has been working hard to make sure the Government understands the huge pressure farmers are under, due to workforce shortages;.
He says the sustained advocacy from the dairy sector has helped spur the Government actions.
"DairyNZ has pushed for 1,500 international dairy workers to be allowed into the country in time for the 2022 dairy season on 1 June. We made it clear to Government that the 300 dairy border class exception workers previously approved was nowhere near enough to meet the demands on-farm and reduce the current high levels of farmer stress," he says.
Mackle says the Government's decision to increase the number of international workers by 500 is a step in the right direction to reducde the pressure on farm teams. He says DairyNZ will continue to advocate for more to be allowed into New Zealand to help address the significant staff shortage.
Federated Farmers supports a review of the current genetic technology legislation but insists that a farmer’s right to either choose or reject it must be protected.
New Zealand’s top business leaders are urging the US Administration to review “unjustified and discriminatory tariffs” imposed on Kiwi exporters.
New tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump signal an uncertain future, but New Zealand farmers know how to adapt to changing conditions, says Auriga Martin, chief executive of Farm Focus.
A global trade war beckons, which is bad news for a small open economy like New Zealand, warns Mark Smith ASB senior economist.
Carterton's Awakare Farm has long stood as a place where family, tradition and innovation intersect.
Fonterra says the US continues to be an important market for New Zealand dairy and the co-op.
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OPINION: The good times felt across the dairy sector weren't lost at last week's Beef + Lamb NZ annual meeting.