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Cameron Henderson
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says last week's annual meeting was a quiet affair and reasonably positive.
He says it covered a range of issues, including some of the latest science DairyNZ has underway to support farmers long-term, including plantain and NZAEL.
In his AGM speech, van der Poel discussed the challenging and busy year farmers have faced, including inflation and regulation issues, while highlighting some of the successes.
"There is no doubt it has been a challenging year but, despite this, our farmers remain committed to delivering for their teams, families, animals and land. We produce world class products and should be incredibly proud of that," he says.
"DairyNZ is working with farmers to help them manage the current economic climate, so our sector can work through current cost pressures and continue producting high-quality products long-term.
"We will also continue to work hard to find fair and practical solutions on issues that matter, advocacy on your behalf, including a solution to emissions that is better for farmers than the Emissions Trading Scheme."
At the AGM, Cameron Henderson, a dairy farmer from Oxford in North Canterbury, was elected to the board to replace Colin Glass who did not seek re-election.
Henderson and his wife Sarah milk 750 cows on 240ha and also lease a further 250ha for dairy support and arable. He's been a farmer representative on the He Waka Eke Noa steering group and is on the board of Ballance Agri-Nutrients. In the past he worked for DairyNZ as a farm systems developer.
He says he's excited about the future of dairy but the industry must have practical and science-led solutions, on farm and in policy.
"DairyNZ has a lead role in delivering both, but needs to be better connected with its levy payers, listening no lecturing, and being more strategic about when to represent farmers and when to lead farmers," he says.
At the AGM, Mary-Anne MacLeod was confirmed as an appointed director for another term, while Robbie Byars was also elected unoppoed to the directors' remuneration committee.
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