Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
The stories of Kiwi farmers leading the world in sustainable farming are being shared as part of DairyNZ’s Rise and Shine campaign launched this week.
“New Zealand dairy has a great story to tell and we are seeing that realised through public sentiment, with 73% of people recently surveyed being favourable toward dairy farmers,” says DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle.
“This is tremendous recognition for farmers playing a key role right now – dually supporting our economic recovery post-Covid while shifting how their day-to-day business operates to further deliver for environment, animals and people.”
Survey results also show a marked increase in overall positivity in the last six months – with 62% of the public feeling positive toward New Zealand’s dairy sector.
“Overall, research is telling us the public are feeling good about dairy – our farmers are inspiring young Kiwis, contributing to communities and are an attractive career option. This is great recognition.”
Mackle says New Zealand’s dairy farmers have made great strides in environmental initiatives and it’s important to champion them as they commit to do even more.
“The emissions created from every glass of New Zealand milk are less than half the global average. Our farmers are shifting toward increasingly sustainable systems. It’s a big challenge – securing farm systems which are profitable, while minimising footprint,” says Mackle.
“Right now, DairyNZ’s Step Change programme is underway to support farmers with climate change and water quality goals. It will help farmers reduce greenhouse gases, improve water and maintain profitable businesses.
“The world is changing and dairy is moving with it. Our farmers are on the journey, but we want to continue raising the bar to maintain our position as world leading farmers,” he says.
“Kiwi dairy farmers have a long and proud history of innovation – rising to challenges, and it is in those moments they shine.”
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
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