Two new awards open to help young farmers progress to farm ownership
Entries have opened for two awards in the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) programme, aimed at helping young farmers progress to farm ownership.
Waikato sharemilker Ben Moore is urging sharemilkers to participate in the Fonterra Shareholders Council review currently underway.
He says the steering group set up to conduct the review is seeking the views of Fonterra shareholders and sharemilkers.
“Contentiously the survey is also open to sharemilkers of Fonterra suppliers ... I use the word contentiously as in the past the views of sharemilkers have not always been asked for,” he says.
“So, I see this opportunity and invitation from the council to view those opinions of sharemilkers as a welcome change.”
Moore notes that, last year, Fonterra launched its “Good Together” program after a few years of hard work, putting together a purpose and vision strategy.
He says the change is largely the culture within the company: “now less arrogant and more eyes wide open to what’s ahead”.
“Obviously, they realise that to make a change they need the industry’s future landowners to have their say.”
Moore says this is sharemilkers’ chance to have a say in the future of their coop.
“Take this opportunity to make a difference.”
Submissions close May 19.
The steering committee is chaired by former government official James Buwalda and is made up of farmer shareholders, Fonterra directors and councillors.
Additional reductions to costs for forest owners in the Emissions Trading Scheme Registry (ETS) have been announced by the Government.
Animal welfare is of paramount importance to New Zealand's dairy industry, with consumers increasingly interested in how food is produced, not just the quality of the final product.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay is encouraging farmers and growers to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it.
The closure of SH2 Waioweka Gorge could result in significant delays and additional costs for freight customers around the Upper North Island, says Transporting New Zealand.
OPINION: The year has started positively for New Zealand dairy farmers and things are likely to get better.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith believes there is potential for an increase in dairy farming in New Zealand.
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