Tuesday, 25 February 2020 10:18

Only one year guarantee for levy

Written by  Sudesh Kissun
Tim Mackle. Tim Mackle.

Industry-good body, DairyNZ is seeking a big mandate from fee-paying farmers on its upcoming levy vote.

The six-yearly vote in April gives farmers six weeks to decide whether to extend the levy for another term. The levy raises about $65 million annually.

However, the organisation has only committed to keeping the levy at the proposed 3.6c/kgMS for the first year. 

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says beyond the first year there are no guarantees that the levy will remain at 3.6c/kgMS.

“Certainly for first year, beyond that there are no guarantees that demands won’t require a greater level of investment: we don’t know right now. 

“As always, you continuously cut the cloth and look at priorities: investing farmers’ money on things that matter the most.

“There may come a time when more investment is needed and we will go back to farmers then.”

Mackle wants farmers to vote early.

“Then we will spend less time ringing them up to vote and spend more time on the work,” he told Rural News.

Mackle is hopeful of a yes vote, but wants a huge mandate.

“It will be a positive thing for the sector if we turn out in big numbers: a weak turnout and getting the result is not a good outcome for us.

“We want a strong turnout: a big turnout and getting over the line.”

He says the organisation held 34 shed meetings around the country late last year: around 500 dairy farmers turned out to share their thoughts on issues affecting them, get updated on levy-funded research and talk about what the future focus should be for DairyNZ investment.

Mackle says the feedback from farmers on the upcoming levy vote has been positive.

The last levy vote in 2014 recorded a 60% turnout by numbers and 70% by milk solids production.

More like this

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

OSPRI's costly software upgrade

Animal disease management agency OSPRI has announced sweeping governance changes as it seeks to recover from the expensive failure of a major software project.

Musical chairs

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

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

National

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,…

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