increase font size
DairyNZ director Colin Glass.
It's an exciting time in the dairy sector. There is so much change happening: we have a new strategy, ‘Dairy Tomorrow’, and changes to the DairyNZ board, to name a few.
I’ve seen a marked change in dairy farmers over the past year too.
People outside the sector may think I’m referring to the extensive work farmers are doing to make their farms more environmentally sustainable. But as you all know, this isn’t new; farmers have been doing this for a long time.
The change is that farmers are stepping up and telling their story. This has been a challenge for many who are naturally humble and have struggled to accept that they need to engage more with their communities and take them on their journey.
Dairy farmers, I believe your efforts are paying off: how the public feels about dairy is changing. I hope you are all starting to see that. The public are starting to see your hard work and investment in looking after the environment. Many Kiwis now realise that dairy farmers care about the land, the waterways and their cows.
We need to continue opening people’s eyes to what the sector is doing and what’s really happening onfarm.
Helping change the public’s perception of dairy farming is among the things that motivated me to put my name forward to become a director of DairyNZ.
I want New Zealanders to be proud of dairy, as I am, as you are and as our ancestors were.
Globally, New Zealand dairy is highly regarded. Wouldn’t it be nice if NZers felt the same way? I believe if we keep doing what we’re doing this will be achieved.
My father used to say that when you get up in the morning, if you haven’t got a couple of problems to solve to give you passion or drive in your day, then you need to find some promptly. I’ve always embraced this motto and believe the last few years show farmers do too.
We’ve faced our fair share of challenges but we’ve stood up and taken responsibility to address them.
I’ve never known anyone on a farm, or in the industry, who doesn’t wake up not wanting to do the best they can. For many of us, dairy isn’t just a job, it’s our home, it’s what we live and breathe, and we’re all trying to make a difference to leave it better than when we found it.
I’m excited to be a part of this new stage in our progress, and to help NZ dairy go from strength to strength.
• Colin Glass was recently elected a director of DairyNZ.
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown has waded into the debate around soaring butter prices, pointing out that the demand for dairy overseas dictates the price to farmers and at the supermarket.
From nitrogen limits to ecosystem restoration –farmers and catchment groups are leading a new wave of environmental care, says DairyNZ.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says proposed changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will leave the door wide open for continued conversions of productive sheep and beef farms into carbon forestry.
Federated Farmers says a report to Parliament on the subject of a ban on carbon forestry does not go far enough to prevent continued farm to forestry conversions.
New Zealand Apples and Pears annual conference was a success with delegates and exhibitors alike making the most of three days of exhibitions, tours, insightful discussions, valuable networking and thoughtful presentations.
The future of New Zealand’s agricultural sector grew a little brighter, with the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) now accepting applications for its scholarships through Lincoln University, offering $10,500 to up to six exceptional students who are poised to become the next leaders in the primary industries.
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
A charity that connects young people with farmers for two years of on-farm training is reporting 150 student applications for its 2026 intake.
OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.
OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.
