Thursday, 21 September 2023 07:55

Farmer concerns top of mind for the upcoming election

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

OPINION: Like all Kiwis and small business owners, dairy farmers have been feeling the effects of rising costs. Coupled with the recent forecast cuts in milk price many will now be thinking about their business viability.

With the general election around the corner, DairyNZ’s 2023 View from the Cowshed survey highlights what farmers want political parties to think about leading up to the election, to support them now and into the future.

The survey shows farmers being very concerned about the impact of inflation and regulations for some time now. The recent fall in the farmgate milk price will have only added to their concerns.

In the survey, almost 75% of dairy farmers report experiencing cost increases of over 20% in the past year alone.

Many farmers will be struggling to make ends meet and are focused on minimising losses this year. Therefore, it is important for the forthcoming government to keep tight control of its own spending and avoid contributing to inflationary pressures.

It’s vital we support farmers to succeed, given their significant contribution to local communities and economies, with dairy projected to generate over $25 billion in export revenue this year alone.

Sixty-five percent of dairy farmers say changing regulations are a key challenge. They’re concerned about unpractical regulations (72%), too much change at once (69%) and the speed of change (64%).

Excessive and impracticable regulatory requirements are negatively impacting farmers’ wellbeing and their farming businesses. They are creating real frustrations.

DairyNZ is calling on all political parties to commit to an independent regulatory review panel, made up of experienced farmers from across the primary sector, to review proposed regulations that impact farmers and ensure they are necessary, practical, cost-effective and will achieve desired outcomes.

The View from the Cowshed survey findings also emphasise the pressing need to resolve workforce challenges, including staff shortages and retention. A total of 26% of farmers say they don’t have enough staff to meet their needs, while 29% are never or rarely able to find staff with the skills and experience they need.

DairyNZ wants policymakers to continue collaborating with sector organisations as we work to improve recruitment and retention of farm staff.

This includes supporting flexible immigration policies and our sector’s Great Futures in Dairying Plan (designed to build great workplaces and workforce).

In many ways, we want the same things as other Kiwis – a solution to the crippling rates of inflation and workers to fill vacancies.

We want solutions that work for the people in our rural communities, so they can thrive and continue contributing to a positive future for New Zealand.

Jim van der Poel is chair of DairyNZ

More like this

Strong uptake of good wintering practices

DairyNZ has seen a significant increase in the number of farmers improving their wintering practices, which results in a higher standard of animal care and environmental protection.

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

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

Featured

Massey Research Field Day attracts huge interest

More than 200 people turned out on Thursday, November 21 to see what progress has been made on one of NZ's biggest and most comprehensive agriculture research programmes on regenerative agriculture.

Expo set to wow again

Stellar speakers, top-notch trade sites, innovation, technology and connections are all on offer at the 2025 East Coast Farming Expo being once again hosted in Wairoa in February.

A year of global challenges

As a guest of the Italian Trade Association, Rural News Group Machinery Editor Mark Daniel took the opportunity to make an early November dash to Bologna to the 46th EIMA exhibition.

National

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of…

Machinery & Products

BA Pumps expand

Cambridge based BA Pumps & Sprayers, specialists in New Zealand-made spraying equipment, has acquired Tokoroa Engineering’s product range, including the…

Entries open for innovation award

Fieldays and its renowned Innovation Awards are celebrating their 57th year, marking a longstanding tradition in the agricultural calendar, with…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Chinese strategy

OPINION: Fonterra may have sold its dairy farms in China but the appetite for collaboration with the country remains strong.

Not fair

OPINION: The Listener's latest piece on winter grazing among Southland dairy farmers leaves much to be desired.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter