New scholarship to grow female leaders in dairy
A new $50,000 scholarship fund designed to support and empower women in the New Zealand dairy industry through leadership development has been launched.
Storytelling will help attract, retain and inspire the next generation in dairy farming, says Jules Benton, Dairy Women’s Network chief executive.
The DWN started 21 years ago and has truly come of age, she told the annual general meeting in Hamilton.
The future will have some tough times but sharing stories as a key strategy will create deeper engagement with members, the dairy industry and ultimately New Zealand, Benton said.
“There is strength in support as the industry will be truly seen for its passion, commitment and as world leading food producers.
“We should be proud of owning our own stories, as they are authentic and capture the heart of who we are. For some, storytelling will provide hope and inspiration.”
Looking to create deep emotional connections is the drive behind the DWN’s launch of its visual story telling project -- Our People. Their Stories -- with two stories launched and well received.
DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle praised the “terrific story telling efforts” of the network.
“Farmers’ story telling is powerful,” he said. “It connects people with people to gain more understanding and the effort of the DWN is helping connect dairy to the people of New Zealand.
“I see the DWN playing a key role in creating more confidence to see a positive future and achieve greater certainty as we all look to support each other to get over the next hill to our long term goals.”
Mackle said the Dairy Tomorrow strategy is vital in formulating what the dairy industry will look like in the future. He stressed the importance of crafting the industry’s story to gain more understanding and tolerance.
“We need to craft our future story and then deliver on it,” he said. “We have to deliver results on the issues Kiwi’s care about.”
Chair Cathy Brown reflected on a full year of delivering knowledge and connection to members.
“Real and relevant learning is essential for our busy members and this was evident in the attendance of several of our modules,” she said.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
OPINION: Voting is underway for Fonterra’s divestment proposal, with shareholders deciding whether or not sell its consumer brands business.
OPINION: Politicians and Wellington bureaucrats should take a leaf out of the book of Canterbury District Police Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.