Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
News reports that the United States' Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) is to increase export subsidy support to US$60 million, is a misdirection of voluntary farmer levies in the eyes of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.
"We need to clear this has nothing to do with the United States Government," says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers dairy chairperson.
"Cooperatives Working Together is a voluntary producer-funded national program developed by America's National Milk Producers Federation. While designed to assist family farms, New Zealand's farmers know from bitter experience that programmes like this actually hurt family farms.
"You end up maximising energy to get a subsidy instead of listening to markets.
"It also means the United States' taxpayer is paying twice over. The multi-year United States' Farm Bill, now in the Houses of Congress, is costed at something like US$1 trillion. What CWT is doing is cross-subsidising exports through what US consumers are paying domestically.
"While it may be voluntary for producers, it is less voluntary for US domestic customers.
"Money like this would be far better invested in helping dairy farmers adapt systems to a no-subsidy future. Farming is a business after all. In that regard Federated Farmers would be pleased to work with US farming groups to show how we have adapted and evolved.
"There is plenty of scope for us all but that must be based on the market place being an even playing field, Leferink says.
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New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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