Tuesday, 07 February 2023 11:55

Uncertainty prevails

Written by  Peter Burke
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel.

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says uncertainty in the dairy industry is causing farmers to think twice before investing big time in the sector.

He says while the banks are offering money to invest in the sector, farmers are taking quite a cautious approach.

He says this is because of several things such as the shortage of labour, government legislation and the milk price coming down.

“As a result, there is a real reluctance among farmers to borrow that extra money,” he says.

Van der Poel says that is a reflection of things at the moment, with confidence is quite low and people are worried about what the future may hold.

He says costs have gone up, the last two GDTs haven’t been positive and there is still a labour shortage. He says in the last three years farmers have had to work harder than they would have liked.

“It would appear that they are taking stock, sitting back for a while and seeing how things play out including what actions the Chris Hipkins government might take in the coming months,” he says.

More like this

Musical chairs

OPINION: DairyNZ's director elections has seen scientist Jacqueline Rowarth re-elected for another three-year term.

DairyNZ levy to increase?

Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer levy for the first time in the industry-good body's 17-year history.

Tributes to retiring 'Jim the farmer'

Doing what is right, not what is easy, has been the hallmark of Jim van der Poel's leadership of, and advocacy for, the dairy industry, attendees at the DairyNZ annual general meeting heard last week.

Featured

New ag degrees at Massey

Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.

The show is on!

It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.

National

'Quite a journey'

Former Synlait chief executive Grant Watson says the past two years have been quite the journey.

DairyNZ levy to increase?

Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer…

Former Fonterra CEO dies

Former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings passed away in the Netherlands over the weekend.

Machinery & Products

Milk Sustainability Centre launched

The recently announced Milk Sustainability Centre – a collaboration between global giant John Deere and milking and feed specialists De…

Data connection made easier

New Holland and Case IH are introducing new advancements in their precision technology stack to make farming easier and more…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Feed from farmers

OPINION: The country's dairy farmers will now also have a hand in providing free lunch for schools.

Brighter future

OPINION: The abrupt departure of Synlait chief executive Grant Watson could be a sign that Chinese company Bright Dairy, the…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter