increase font size
DairyNZ says the Government’s decision to allow 300 more international dairy farm workers into New Zealand doesn’t do enough to help resolve the sector’s significant staff shortage.
DairyNZ says the Government’s decision to allow 300 more international dairy farm workers into New Zealand doesn’t do enough to help resolve the sector’s significant staff shortage.
In November, the dairy sector requested the Government allow 1500 dairy workers into New Zealand in 2022, but only 300 spots have been granted, in a decision communicated to industry last week.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the Government’s decision will be a bitter disappointment for many under-pressure dairy farmers who are anxiously facing yet another season critically short-staffed.
“This is a wellbeing issue, in terms of mental wellbeing but also health and safety on farm. Understaffing increases the risk of accidents and can put animal welfare at risk. Dairy farmers are working long hours to keep their farms going, but it just isn’t sustainable,” says Mackle.
He says DairyNZ will continue to advocate for more international workers.
“We have really appreciated the continued support of Minister O’Connor and also MPI who have advocated on this important issue for almost two years – but it would seem some of their colleagues in Government just aren’t listening and farmers are frustrated by that.
“Although 300 workers will help a small number of farmers, it’s a drop in the bucket for New Zealand’s largest export sector which is at least 4000 workers short.
"This issue won't just affect the dairy sector - we all access the same domestic talent pool, whether that's between primary sectors or from support industries like rural contracting and trucking companies. The decision will have a knock-on effect on many other sectors."
Mackle says farmers who want farm assistants on board for calving are encouraged to apply now for one of the 300 spaces, as there is no guarantee another opportunity to recruit international workers before calving will be possible.
“With workers no longer required to isolate or stay in MIQ and no cap on the number of farm assistants within that 300, we expect stronger interest from farmers using the class exception pathway.”
He says many farmers will struggle to get through the busy calving season without enough people on-farm.
Recent data indicates the dairy sector is now short of up to 4000 workers. Staff shortages have been exacerbated by the border closure and some international workers leaving New Zealand.
Mackle says the current record low unemployment rate is affecting all sectors’ ability to recruit Kiwis, including dairy.
OPINION: In the 1980s, concern was expressed in West Germany about the falling birth rate. Some simple analysis was performed by Professor Helmut Sies, physician and biochemist at Dusseldorf University. His letter ‘A new parameter for sex education’ was published in Nature in 1988:
OPINION: Dairy farmers know better than anyone that change is constant.
A four year trial has reaffirmed that mixing plantain into dairy pastures can help reduce nitrogen losses to freshwater while maintaining milk production and profitability, say researchers.
OPINION: Today marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day – a day we’re proud to recognise here in New Zealand.
OPINION: Mike Chapman, former chief executive of levy-funded HortNZ, has thrown out a challenge to farmers and growers to put their levy-funded industry organisations under the same scrutiny as fertiliser, electricity, labour and freight.
Testing confirms H5 bird flu in a single northern giant petrel, found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach in the Wairarapa, says Dr Mary van Andel, the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Chief Veterinary Officer.
"What's for dinner?" may sound like a simple question, but for many Kiwi parents, answering it has become a job in itself.
Fifty Eight years ago, on the 16th of August 1968, August Claas, the founder of the harvesting company and father of Helmut Claas, personally presented a Claas Senator combine harvester to Scottish farmer John Steven.
New Zealand consumers are paying more for beef mince than ever before, with the average retail price now sitting above $24 per kilogram, according to Rabobank.
State farmer Pamu has delivered its strongest operating result on record.
Four years since it was first detected in New Zealand, researchers and growers now know much more about management of maize pest fall armyworm (FAW).
OPINION: After hogging the media limelight for telling a NZ Chinese MP to "go back home", Winston Peters has decided…
OPINION: With fuel prices soaring, one would have expected most farmers to be reclaiming excise duty on petrol.
