Green but not much grass!
Dairy farmers in the lower North Island are working on protecting next season, according to Federated Farmers dairy chair Richard McIntyre, who farms just north of the Horowhenua township of Levin.
Federated Farmers say the proposed AgResearch redundancies show the falling science capability in agriculture.
The Feds believe research in the sector is being eroded through inadequate funding and a lack of strategic planning.
"Agriculture science is a long term investment, which is difficult for governments on a short term three year election cycle," says Federated Farmers president William Rolleston.
"We owe it to our future farmers, and all New Zealanders, to make the investments now."
"We appreciate that AgResearch needs to ensure its capacity aligns with the work it has ahead of it, but the continual downsizing at AgResearch is a symptom of this bigger problem."
Rolleston says New Zealand is well known for its leadership in agriculture. He says we need science to provide solutions for the future. Innovations can increase productivity, reduce environmental impact, and lead to new products and add value to existing products.
He adds, "We also rely on science to address the risks we face with a changing climate, biosecurity, the market and our social licence to operate."
"We need a plan which will rebuild our science capability and give more responsibility to our CRIs as outlined in the CRI Taskforce Report (2010)."
Government have the opportunity to turn the tide with the outcome of the core funding review. We would expect to see an increase in core funding, which has not been inflation adjusted since it was instituted.
The Feds do not believe AgResearch is blameless in this situation.
"They need to examine their tactics and their effectiveness in attracting new funds both from government and the private sector," Rolleston says.
"We would like to see a growing agricultural science sector which is moving forward with confidence, not a shrinking one where scientists are disillusioned and our youth discouraged from science careers."
The Feds hope that the National Statement of Scientific Intent, which the government is soon to release, will reflect the importance of science in agriculture.
"We're hoping to see more attention to basic research and capability, greater stability and certainty for scientists in the primary sector within an ecosystem where a science career can be rewarding and valued," says Rolleston.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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