Thursday, 11 August 2022 16:55

Farmers encouraged to join DairyNZ's board

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

Dairy farmers keen to be part of shaping the dairy sector’s future are encouraged to consider joining DairyNZ’s Board of Directors.

DairyNZ Board chair Jim van der Poel says it is a challenging but rewarding and important time to be part of the sector and its leadership.

“With exceptionally strong milk prices, dairy continues to play a critical role in New Zealand’s prosperity and overall wellbeing,” says van der Poel.

“At the same time, farmers are also facing a number of challenges including rising costs, staff shortages and challenging regulations.

“Our farmers are currently the most sustainable milk producers in the world but also know that to maintain that position they will need to continue to evolve.”

Van der Poel says DairyNZ is in a unique position to support dairy farmers with extension and research, and to advocate on behalf of farmers to influence future policy decisions.

“DairyNZ’s Board and staff are passionate about creating a better future for dairy farmers, and we’re looking for farmer candidates who share this focus to join our board.”

The DairyNZ Board oversees the organisation’s strategy and focuses on engaging and partnering with farmers and building trust and pride in dairy farming.

Van der Poel says ideally candidates would have a strong understanding of farm systems, research, policy and advocacy. Strong commercial, governance and financial skills would also be an advantage, along with good networks in the dairy sector.

Two farmer director positions are open for nomination on the board.

DairyNZ’s elected directors hold office for three years. This year, directors Elaine Cook and Tracy Brown are retiring by rotation. Both are standing for re-election.

DairyNZ is also inviting applications from farmers for one position on the Directors’ Remuneration Committee, which independently sets the directors’ fees.

Both the board and the directors’ remuneration roles are open to current levy-paying dairy farmers. Two current levy payers must nominate each candidate.

Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 12noon on Monday, September 5, 2022. If an election is required, farmer voting will take place during September and October, with the successful candidates announced at DairyNZ’s Annual General Meeting on October 18 in Invercargill.

More like this

Musical chairs

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

DairyNZ levy to increase?

Retiring chair Jim van der Poel has used his final AGM to announce the intention to increase the DairyNZ farmer levy for the first time in the industry-good body's 17-year history.

Tributes to retiring 'Jim the farmer'

Doing what is right, not what is easy, has been the hallmark of Jim van der Poel's leadership of, and advocacy for, the dairy industry, attendees at the DairyNZ annual general meeting heard last week.

Featured

New ag degrees at Massey

Changing skill demands and new job opportunities in the primary sector have prompted Massey University to create a new degree course and add a significant major into another in 2025.

The show is on!

It was bringing in a new Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) show board, more in tune with the CAPA general committee, that has ensured that Christchurch will have a show this year, says CAPA general committee president Bryce Murray.

National

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter