McIntyre thanks farmers as he prepares to bow out of Feds
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer levy for the first time in the industry-good body's 17-year history.
Staff numbers have been trimmed and van der Poel praised the DairyNZ team for doing a great job of adding value and reorganising to be fit for purpose.
"However, to continue to deliver to farmers, and to balance the books, we have previously drawn down on cash reserves. This of course, is unsustainable into the future. This means DairyNZ must look to lift the farm levy for the first time in 17 years," he said.
The levy has stood at 3.6 cents/kgMS since DairyNZ's establishment.
Van der Poel said DairyNZ would consult with farmers before any decision is made, and that was likely to happen early next year.
"This is not an easy decision, but we have to find more funding for essential science and research in the face of rising costs, and to ensure financial sustainability to position the sector well in the future."
The decision would be separate to the six-yearly levy vote which gives farmers the opportunity to reaffirm or otherwise their continuing support for the DairyNZ levy, which is next due at the end of 2026.
On the eve of his departure from Federated Farmers board, Richard McIntyre is thanking farmers for their support and words of encouragement during his stint as a farmer advocate.
A project reducing strains and sprains on farm has won the Innovation category in the New Zealand Workplace Health and Safety Awards 2025.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ), in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and other sector organisations, has launched a national survey to understand better the impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmers.
One of New Zealand's latest and largest agrivoltaics farm Te Herenga o Te Rā is delivering clean renewable energy while preserving the land's agricultural value for sheep grazing under the modules.
Global food company Nestle’s chair Paul Bulcke will step down at its next annual meeting in April 2026.
Brendan Attrill of Caiseal Trust in Taranaki has been announced as the 2025 National Ambassador for Sustainable Farming and Growing and recipient of the Gordon Stephenson Trophy at the National Sustainability Showcase at in Wellington this evening.
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