Strong uptake of good wintering practices
DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.
A leading economist says the dairy sector needs to make jobs more attractive in order to keep people in the jobs.
Shamubeel Eaqub, from Sense Partners, was speaking at the People Expos run by DairyNZ and Dairy Women’s Network earlier this month when he made the comments.
“The world is shifting, and it is shifting for everyone,” Eaqub says. “It has never been harder to find labour and it isn’t just dairy experiencing this.”
He says other sectors are doing anything and everything they can to attract labour, and the long-term issues each sector is experiencing have been around for decades.
“It’s on us to consider how we can step up and support the people that are working in your teams and businesses.
“Let’s reframe the conversation to think about how we can make the jobs more attractive, to keep people in the sector,” Eaqub says.
He says the sector needs to give people a compelling proposition, training, and career progression opportunities to encourage them to join and stay in the sector.
Aaron Jay, HortUs, provided an external perspective to those attending the People Expos, discussing how he was able to develop a high-performing business built on and for people and providing relevant takeaways for farmers to apply their individual teams.
“It is important to acknowledge your strengths and have your team supporting you with the expertise and knowledge that you do not have,” says Jay.
He says employers need to remember the reason why their employees turn up for work each day.
“You need to understand what success means for them and to you, and to shift your business strategy so you can find success for everyone,” says Jay.
“As we look forward, you have to determine if you are going to participate or not. Making the decision that you are here, and that you want to attract and retain really good people for your business, is a critical starting point.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the relationship between New Zealand and the US will remain strong and enduring irrespective of changing administrations.
More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.
The a2 Milk Company (a2MC) says securing more China label registrations and developing its own nutritional manufacturing capability are high on its agenda.
Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.
As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.
Livestock can be bred for lower methane emissions while also improving productivity at a rate greater than what the industry is currently achieving, research has shown.
OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.
OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.