Speaking at the Dairy Industry Awards in Auckland on Saturday night, Guy acknowledged the great work down by farmers to protect the environment.
He noted that 26,000km of waterways have been voluntarily fenced off.
“We need to continue to tell this story not only to New Zealanders but to consumers all over the world,” he says.
“We need to celebrate success; we don’t do that. Be loud and proud about where the dairy industry has come and where it goes in the future.”
Dairy remains a significant part of the primary industry sector and the New Zealand economy; primary industry exports are expected to top $40 billion next year.
Guy says dairy’s outlook remains positive but acknowledged the recent challenges faced by farmers.
He thanked Fonterra and the banking sector for supporting farmers during consecutive seasons of low payout.
Canterbury’s Christopher and Siobhan O’Malley were named the 2017 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, Hayley Hoogendyk, Manawatu became the 2017 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year and Clay Paton, Wakefield, was announced the 2017 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year. They shared prizes worth over $190,000.
The awards ceremony at Auckland’s Sky City, attended by 500 people, was disrupted for about 45 minutes by a medical emergency - Christopher O’Malley’s father collapsed at the their table and was rushed to hospital. O’Malley later told the audience that his father was recovering well.
