increase font size
Southern Dairy Development Trust chairman Matthew Richards.
The proposed Southern Dairy Hub is closer to fruition, thanks to strong support from farmers and businesses.
The Southern Dairy Development Trust has announced that 516 farmers and businesses are pledging $1.306 million in support.
While the fundraising drive fell short of the $2 million target, trust chairman Matthew Richards is confident it will go ahead. “It’s a fantastic result and a huge endorsement for the hub project.”
“We are grateful and thankful for the support from our community and are confident we will get a good hearing in front of our industry partners DairyNZ and AgResearch.”
The official numbers include pledges that arrived in the mail after the April 30 deadline: 55% of farmers between Dunedin and Bluff have pledged financial support.
The next step is to present figures to DairyNZ and AgResearch, Richards says. “The support of a majority of southern dairy farmers is a key factor in determining the hub’s future, as our partners wanted to see farmers supporting this. While we didn’t hit the financial target of $2 million, I’m still confident we will get the decision to go ahead.”
The hub is intended as an innovation centre where ideas and concepts can be tested. It will do comparative research, demonstrate research results and have education and training facilities. It will be located in central Southland and house about 850 cows in four herds.
“We’ve been out looking for the right farm over the last couple of months – centrally located, with a mix of soil types and ideally some contour. It will be a sheep conversion to allow us to start with a clean slate.”
Funding will include $10 million from DairyNZ and AgResearch, $2.5 million from the closed Southland Demonstration Farm, pledges from southern farmers and businesses, and the remainder debt.
The trust expects the farm to make money from research, commercial lease space, room hireage, livestock sales and milk supply.
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown has waded into the debate around soaring butter prices, pointing out that the demand for dairy overseas dictates the price to farmers and at the supermarket.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
