increase font size
Tim Mackle.
DairyNZ is calling on the Government to work with the dairy sector to address a looming staff shortage — exacerbated by COVID-19.
By the end of September, around 2500 visas are due to expire for migrant staff currently working on dairy farms. Many are based in Canterbury, Waikato, Southland and Otago. Both farmers and farm staff are desperately seeking certainty.
According to DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle, it’s estimated that even if all migrant dairy workers currently in New Zealand were retained, there could be a shortfall of up to 1000 employees for the coming dairy season.
Mackle says this suggests that a two-pronged approach to address the staffing shortfall is needed. This will include both retaining our migrant workforce and recruiting new Kiwis into our dairy sector.
“This is a difficult situation for farmers to face – particularly when our migrant teams are so valued,” he says. “We are committed to employing New Zealanders and plans are in place for a programme to retrain and redeploy people into the dairy sector.”
However, Mackle says there is also a need to protect and retain our current migrant staff who are part of farm teams across the country.
DairyNZ and Federated Farmers are currently working together to seek clarification on visa status for migrant staff who are in New Zealand as skilled and valued farm workers.
Mackle says experienced migrant staff currently in New Zealand will be important in supporting dairy to play its part in the recovery of New Zealand’s economy.
“These people are needed on farms to milk the cows and keep businesses running, especially in the short-term over the busy calving time from July to October.”
DairyNZ and Federated Farmers are seeking extensions on existing visas to ensure migrant staff can continue working in the short to medium term while Kiwis get onboard and up to speed.
DairyNZ says its plantain programme continues to deliver promising results, with new data confirming that modest levels of plantain in pastures reduce nitrogen leaching, offering farmers a practical, science-backed tool to meet environmental goals.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
DairyNZ has pulled together tactics that will help farmers improve on-farm efficiency and have positive benefits for the environment. These tactics are based on research, data, and lessons from leading farmers.
The design and construction of an effective dairy effluent system is a complex process.
After serving three as a DairyNZ director, Waikato farmer Chris Lewis is ready for another term.
An independent report, prepared for Alliance farmer shareholders is backing the proposed $250 million joint venture investment by Irish company Dawn Meats Group.
Whangarei field service technician, Bryce Dickson has cemented his place in John Deere’s history, becoming the first ever person to win an award for the third time at the annual Australian and New Zealand Technician of the Year Awards, announced at a gala dinner in Brisbane last night.
NZPork has appointed Auckland-based Paul Bucknell as its new chair.
The Government claims to have delivered on its election promise to protect productive farmland from emissions trading scheme (ETS) but red meat farmers aren’t happy.
Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks could have a detrimental impact on any country's rural sector, as seen in the United Kingdom's 2000 outbreak that saw the compulsory slaughter of over six million animals.
The Ministry for the Environment is joining as a national award sponsor in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA from next year).
OPINION: Should cows in NZ be microchipped?
OPINION: Legislation being drafted to bring back the controversial trade of live animal exports by sea is getting stuck in the…
