M. bovis compensation service closes after supporting 1300+ NZ farmers
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
DairyNZ is supporting a proposed new learning model for apprenticeships and traineeships that would see training, education, and pastoral care delivered together to provide the best chance of success.
The Government is consulting on the future of work-based learning in the vocational education and training system and has two options for consideration.
An independent work-based learning model would mean a learner receives both education and pastoral care from an approved training provider, while a collaborative work-based learning model would involve both a provider to manage education, and an Industry Skills Board to provide pastoral care to each learner.
DairyNZ senior people specialist Jane Muir says DairyNZ supported the independent work-based learning model.
"We want to see an adequately funded system that prioritises learning while also ensuring value for the employer, to ensure the best chance of success for all involved," she says.
"The relationship between the learner and the provider is crucial and separating the pastoral care from the organisation most invested in their success simply adds more costs and a layer of complication.
"Building work-based capability on-farm is of critical importance."
Muir points out that DairyNZ is in a unique position with Dairy Training Limited (DTL), a subsidiary of DairyNZ, being well-equipped with practical insight and expertise into the opportunities and challenges of delivering vocational education successfully.
She says any new system needs to support private training establishments, such as Dairy Training Limited, to continue to grow.
A recent survey showed that 95% of DTL students either agreed or strongly agreed that their capability improved as a result of completing a DTL course.
DTL course enrolments have also increased by 500% over the past 5 years and continue to grow, she says.
"That's why we believe a DTL model adds value to the dairy sector and has potential to grow.
"As a sector, dairy farming generates more than $25 billion in exports for New Zealand, and it's our people on-farm that help us realise this potential.
"It's more important than ever that we're able to respond quickly to change and we can only do that with the right funding and training structures in place."
New Zealand milk production is off to a strong start, with the first month of the 2025/26 dairy season recording a whopping 17.8% jump in milk production, compared to the previous season.
With adverse weather set to rain down on the Top of the South, the Bay of Plenty and parts of Northland, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says farmers, foresters, and growers need to prepare for possible challenges.
Keep up with innovation and e-commerce in China or risk losing market share. That was the message delivered at the China Business Summit in Auckland this month.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) independent chair Nathan Guy says getting meat processors involved has been a shot in the arm for the sector's key marketing initiative into China, Taste Pure Nature.
Listed carpet manufacturer, Bremworth is undertaking a $6 million expansion at its Napier plant more than two years after the site was heavily damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Federated Farmers is vowing to keep the big banks accountable for their actions and to continue pushing for meaningful change in the rural lending sector.
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