Leah Prankerd: A passion for dairying and farmer support
It was love that first led Leah Prankerd to dairying.
DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) say they are taking farmer feedback on board and working to improve the agricultural emissions pricing options, including driving down administration costs.
Recently, roadshows were held across the country on the two options developed by the Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership, He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), as alternatives to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says the Government has made it clear that the sector need to deliver a credible alternative otherwise the agriculture sector will go into the ETS.
“But that’s not the only reason we need to act,” he says.
Van der Poel says the sector wants to ensure farmers can continue running sustainable businesses while meeting the expectations of communities and consumers that the sector is working to reduce emissions.
“It’s also hugely important the sector and Government continue investing – and invest more – in R&D to develop new technologies to achieve this,” he says.
Both DairyNZ and B+LNZ say the results of the roadshow are clear, with 99% of farmers agreeing they don’t want agricultural emissions to be priced through the ETS.
We’re focused on doing everything we can to minimise costs to ensure farmers’ businesses remain viable, profitable and our rural communities continue to thrive. We’re working to make sure what’s eventually introduced is practical and sensible, and works on the ground for farmers,” says B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison.
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Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair Andrew Morrison. |
The HWEN partnership includes B+LNZ, DairyNZ, Dairy Companies Association of NZ, Federated Farmers, Foundation for Arable Research, Horticulture NZ, Irrigation NZ, Federation of Māori Authorities, Deer Industry New Zealand, Meat Industry Association and Apiculture New Zealand.
“Farmers have expressed a strong preference for the farm-level levy option, so they are recognised and incentivised for on-farm actions. They want control over their farm emissions and farm management,” says van der Poel.
86% of feedback supported farm-level pricing as the final outcome of HWEN.
“Farmers want the sector to have a seat at the table when levy prices are set and price setting should be science-based, not influenced by politics. The pricing setting criteria needs to be transparent with industry bodies involved,” says Morrison.
“Farmers deserve a far better deal than the ETS. In the consultation, there was strong support for split gas pricing and the use of better metrics for setting methane reduction targets. Alongside work on He Waka Eke Noa, DairyNZ and B+LNZ will continue to speak up strongly on behalf of farmers for methane reduction targets that are scientifically robust and fair,” says van der Poel.
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.
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