DairyNZ Levy Vote Underway as Chair Highlights Seven-Fold Return
Voting has started for the renewal of DairyNZ's milksolids levy.
A forum to discuss the direction of dairying will be held at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, on May 8 and 9.
The DairyNZ-led Farmers Forum will hear from keynote speakers Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Minister for Climate Change James Shaw.
Other speakers will address politics, economics, sustainable farming, future food and farm practices.
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says the forum will also discuss how the new strategy ‘Dairy Tomorrow’ will be achieved.
“Understanding our sector’s future from a range of viewpoints is important, because the political, economic and environmental outlooks, and our markets, drive what we do daily on farms.
“The dairy sector is dynamic and challenging, and as we plan for the future through the strategy it’s a great time to discuss and debate all the issues and opportunities.”
DairyNZ expects at least 700 farmers at the event.
O’Connor will discuss the future of dairy farming from the Government’s perspective and priorities for food production; Shaw will discuss the sector’s opportunities for climate change and greenhouse gases.
Farmers can also submit a question to both ministers for a Q&A session on day one (questions can be submitted when registering to attend the forum).
Other speakers will include future-of-food specialist Julian Cribb; economist Cameron Bagrie; future thinking, strategy and innovation leader Roger Dennis; mental health campaigner Mike King and a range of dairy sector leaders.
A panel discussion of dairy company leaders will look at what the ‘Dairy Tomorrow’ strategy will mean for farmers.
Day one of the forum looks at what is driving change in the global markets, the changing political environment, implications for NZ dairying and how the sector can adapt.
On day two, the focus will shift to the farm, looking at new technologies and techniques, plus tips, tools and advice for boosting farm businesses. Farmers can choose from eight workshops.
The forum is free to levy paying dairy farmers and their staff.
Registrations are open and essential prior to the event.
• To view the full programme or register, visit www.dairynz.co.nz/farmersforum.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.
Pāmu has welcomed ten new apprentices into its 2026 intake, marking the second year of a scheme designed to equip the next generation of farmers with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for a thriving career in agriculture.
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