Dairy farmer profits to hit record levels in 2025
The profitability of dairy farmers is likely to increase in the coming year, accordign to the latest report by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on the outlook for the primary sector.
Fertiliser company Ballance Agri-Nutrients will be the new prime sponsor of the Dairy Women's Network from June 1.
The new partnership will boost the network's ability to provide more opportunities for dairy farming women to improve their skills and leadership.
Ballance general manager agro-science and marketing, Liz Muller, says in farm ownership and partnerships, women are involved in many of the key business decisions.
"It is often women who take the lead role in areas such as farm finances, staff management, animal welfare, safety and on-farm compliance, yet they are under-represented on farmer cooperative boards of directors and industry agencies," says Muller.
"Ballance is taking an active role in helping dairying women develop their leadership skills by supporting organisations such as the Dairy Women's Network, which is focused on developing female leaders. We want to see more women in influential roles contributing to the success and direction of the industry."
Muller says learning how to manage within nutrient loss limits is one of the biggest issues facing dairy farmers, and women will have a leading role in managing the changes required as new regulations impact on how New Zealanders can farm.
Dairy Women's Network executive chair Michelle Wilson says Ballance also partnered with the network earlier this year as its first conference sponsor.
"Ballance shares many of the network's organisational values and feels as strongly we do about growing the leadership capabilities of dairying women for the benefit of the entire industry. We are very fortunate to have the continued support of one of New Zealand's leading agri-businesses for at least the next two years."
Wilson says the network is in good heart, and was recently awarded a $180,000 grant from the Ministry of Primary Industries' Sustainable Farming Fund.
"We are engaged in a major three-year project which will increase the leadership capabilities of dairy farming women, our membership continues to grow, and alongside the support of our new prime sponsor Ballance Agri-Nutrients, we continue to be supported by our prime funder DairyNZ and our prime regional sponsor RD1. We also have eight significant network sponsors, and Fonterra's on-going commitment to the Dairy Woman of the Year award."
The Dairy Women's Network was established in 1998. The network's purpose is to expand the potential of women in the business of dairying by providing leadership, inspiration, learning and connection. The network provides educational opportunities to its members through Dairy Days workshops, regional groups, conferences and other events.
In addition to its support of the Dairy Women's Network, Ballance is supporting future generations of female leaders in farming through scholarships to undertake tertiary studies in agriculture, and for women in agricultural and horticultural science leadership.
A technical lab manager for Apata, Phoebe Scherer, has won the Bay of Plenty 2025 Young Grower regional title.
Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.
Newly elected Federated Farmers meat and wool group chair Richard Dawkins says he will continue the great work done his predecessor Toby Williams.
Hosted by ginger dynamo Te Radar, the Fieldays Innovation Award Winners Event put the spotlight on the agricultural industry's most promising ideas.
According to DairyNZ's latest Econ Tracker update, there has been a rise in the forecast breakeven milk price for the 2025/26 season.
Despite the rain and a liberal coating of mud, engines roared, and the 50th Fieldays Tractor Pull Competition drew crowds of spectators across the four days of the annual event.
OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…
OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?