DairyNZ: Strong payouts offset high farm costs
The dairy sector is in a relatively stable position, with strong milk price payout forecasts continuing to offset ongoing high farm costs, according to DairyNZ.
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.
Like many manufacturers around the world, European agricultural machinery and tractor manufacturers are currently operating in a difficult market environment. But they are heading to the world’s largest agricultural machinery event in Hanover next month with a degree of cautious optimism.
Established in 2021, the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards champion the important contribution parts and service technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling on farmers from all regions to take part in the final season of the Sheep Poo Study aiming to build a clearer picture of how facial eczema (FE) affects farms across New Zealand.
New Zealand is closer to eradicating bovine TB than ever before, but possums remain a threat, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
The ACT Party says media reports that global dairy giant Nestle has withdrawn from the Dairy Methane Action Alliance shows why New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…