Lower North Island farmers “cautiously optimistic” heading into winter – DairyNZ
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
DairyNZ say the government needs to rethink how environmental research is funded in New Zealand.
The call comes after a report by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) Simon Upston argued that the current system was disjointed.
“We urge the Government to accept the PCE’s advice and reconsider our national strategy and funding allocation for environmental research,” said DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle.
Mackle says that New Zealand faces significant challenges to reduce its environmental footprint, reduce emissions and improve water quality.
“To be successful we will need substantial, long-term research investment based on a shared strategy,” he said.
“The current research is not having the impact it could,” he said.
Mackle explains that the current system is costly, cumbersome, and doesn’t always give funding to the areas that actually need it.
“Misplaced incentives around certain priorities can result in piecemeal projects at the expense of long-term vision and co-ordinated effort.”
He says that the result of these issues is a system that is splintered and drives mostly short-term and disconnected projects which have low accountability for impact.
Mackle argues that the projects need to bring together the expertise of researchers to achieve economic, social and environmental aspirations.
“The amount for research and development needs to be commensurate to the challenges and the opportunities for New Zealand,” he said.
“The dairy sector wants to be part of the solution and we are keen to see environmental research investment which delivers the desired outcomes for New Zealand’s environment.
“We want to see the government continue to invest in the dairy sector and other primary sector solutions and innovations.”
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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