Dairy farmers urged to participate in 2026 Levy vote
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
OPINION: We're excited to connect with dairy farmers at the upcoming South Island Agricultural Field Days.
This event will provide a great opportunity to connect with our upper South Island regional team who are passionate about supporting dairy farmers to succeed, by providing farm systems solutions and connecting farmers with the right people.
We will be showcasing some of our farmer tools and resources, which have been developed with DairyNZ's research and farm systems expertise, to support success on farm. These include our Facts & Figures book, body condition score and pasture field guides.
There are also a range of interesting events coming up across the region. These regional events are helping to provide greater access to our scientists, experts and our research, with a focus on farm systems application, while continuing to support farmers to connect with other farmers in their local region.
Dairy training the next generation:
We will also have some of the Dairy Training Limited team, a DairyNZ subsidiary, on site to talk about their NextGen programme, which is currently seeking both host farmers and Year 12 and 13 students to join.
This programme is designed to help grow the next generation of skilled dairy farmers. NextGen is a NZQA-accredited programme designed for year 12 and 13 school leavers, providing them with the foundation for a successful career in dairy farming.
It includes hands on pre-employment training, six months of on-farm employment, which includes weekly training days and ongoing pastoral care and support as they start their dairy farming career.
Come and talk about how Dairy Training is helping shape the next generation of skilled dairy farmers and consider if being a host farmer trainer is something suitable for your farming operation, or whether you know students who may be interested in this unique opportunity.
Try to reel in a prize:
Alongside connecting with some of the DairyNZ team, each day brings the opportunity to win.
Come equipped and prepared to test your farm reeling skills, with the fastest adult and child winning a prize each day.
Where to find us:
You can visit the team outside at booth M120, in the middle section of vendors.
Come along to learn more about DairyNZ and what we are doing to support your farm's future. We look forward to seeing you there.
Anna Hall is DairyNZ regional manager
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.
Minister for Universities, Shane Reti, has opened the final new build in a ten plus year project to upgrade the veterinary facilities at Massey University.
As New Zealand experiences more frequent and severe flooding events, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging consumers to be honest and accurate when making insurance claims for flood damage.
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
In a significant shift for employers, wage theft is no longer only a civil matter but now also a criminal one.
In partnership with Growing Future Farmers (GFF), Fonterra says it is increasing support for young people entering the dairy industry with a new two-year programme.

OPINION: Every time politicians come up with an investment scheme where they're going to have a crack at 'picking winners'…
OPINION: What are the unions for these days?