Genetics, Efficiency and Performance: How the Burgesses are raising the bar at Te Poi
Bill and Michelle Burgess had an eye-opening realisation when they produced the same with fewer cows.
The man who's played a leading role in the dairy industry for more than one-and-a-half decades will step down at the end of June.
Tim Mackle, chief executive of DairyNZ and before that CEO of Dexcel, says he has mixed emotions about leaving his current role. However, he believes it's a good time to go despite the mixed emotions about his decision.
Mackle believes announcing his decision now will allow the DairyNZ board to recruit a successor and ensure a smooth transition.
“I feel extremely privileged and proud to have had the opportunity to lead and help develop DairyNZ on behalf of our farmer owners/members. Right from our formation in 2007, to today, I’m proud of the many achievements we have delivered.”
Mackle says the dairy sector continues to go through challenging times and it’s crucial that it continues to work together to find ways that add the most value to farmers. He also feels optimistic about future opportunities for dairy and the wider NZ primary sector.
DairyNZ Chair Jim van der Poel says Mackle has made a huge contribution to both DairyNZ and to dairy farmers, by helping dairy farmers navigate challenges they have faced and continue to face.
“We’re fortunate to have had Tim at DairyNZ through many challenging periods. He has played a key role in developing the R&D programme and the development of our science-based policy and advocacy function. He has been a strong leader and advocate for dairy.”
Van der Poel added that because of Mackle’s strong passionate leadership he has made a significant contribution to the wider dairy and primary sectors, through his influence on various boards, steering groups, and committees.
“That puts us at DairyNZ in a great position to continue to deliver more for farmers and New Zealand.”
Additional tariffs introduced by the Chinese Government last month on beef imports should favour New Zealand farmers and exporters.
Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.
Primary sector leaders have welcomed the announcement of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand.
Dairy farmers are still in a good place despite volatile global milk prices.
Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Auckland’s Mt Roskill suburb, says Biosecurity New Zealand Commissioner North Mike Inglis.
Arable growers worried that some weeds in their crops may have developed herbicide resistance can now get the suspected plants tested for free.

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