Science coming second in water decisions
Emotions and values now come first in water quality assessment and science comes second, says a water quality specialist with DairyNZ, Tom Stephens.
Taking a common sense approach to sustainable dairying is the theme of a forum for award-winning dairy farmers in Invercargill next week.
"Each year this programme takes people who have come through competitions in the industry," he says. "Every dairy farm is a piece of a jigsaw. We embrace their achievements and help them untangle complex sustainability challenges so they understand how they fit into the big picture."
"We also give them leadership skills training to help them realise their potential to help others in the community."
This is the forum's sixth year, run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust in partnership with DairyNZ. To-date 184 farmers have been involved in workshop sessions on sustainability challenges and leadership skills.
"We have to change as fast as we can, but at a pace that lets us adjust our businesses so we can survive change and prosper for the good of our communities and New Zealand," says Martin.
"We can't have wholesale changes overnight as they'll bankrupt farmers and communities will feel the effect of lost businesses. We need to be financially viable to make changes."
He says the forum is a unique opportunity to hear from leaders across all the pillars of sustainability.
"It's not every day that farmers get the chance to discuss complex industry issues around sustainability with people like Dame Margaret Bazley, Bernard Hickey and Kevin Hackwell and then follow that with discussions with other farmers over dinner."
The forum is being held in Invercargill from November Nov 27 to 29.
Speakers include; economic commentator Bernard Hickey, Dame Margaret Bazley, Chair of Commissioners, Environment Canterbury, David Caygill, Deputy Chair of Commissioners, Environment Canterbury, Kevin Hackwell, Forest & Bird, Ali Timms, Chair Environment Southland, Dr Tim Mackle, Chief Executive, DairyNZ.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
There have been leadership changes at the Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative, which has been struggling financially in recent years.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
OPINION: In recent years farmers have been crying foul of unworkable and expensive regulations.
Another 16 commercial beef farmers have been selected to take part in the Informing New Zealand Beef (INZB) programme designed to help drive the uptake of genetics in the industry.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Kiwi exporters will be $100 million better off today as the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) comes into force.