increase font size
The ‘band-aid’ solution of extending priority processing of visas is simply bringing no joy to farmers in desperate need of staff for calving.
OPINION: It's time for the Government to step in and resolve the migrant worker visa issue for the dairy sector, once and for all.
The ‘band-aid’ solution of extending priority processing of visas is simply bringing no joy to farmers in desperate need of staff for calving, nor to experienced and eager workers ready to help with calving on NZ dairy farms.
According to Federated Farmers, the dairy sector needs up to 1000 workers for calving season now underway. However, it’s taking up to six months for Immigration NZ to process visas.
Federated Farmers has been working closely with the Minister of Immigration and INZ to try and find solutions to alleviate some of the pressure short-staffed farmers are under and prevent any animal welfare issues during calving.
Last week, farmers got some relief. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford agreed to some limited exceptions for existing visa applications, where the applicant is already onshore, to facilitate them being on farm as soon as possible.
The Minister has also agreed to extend priority processing for dairy farm worker and dairy farmer visa applications until 1 September, which should at least see farmers through the bulk of South Island calving. But it only relieves some of the short-term pressure this season, and it’s only a band-aid solution.
The time has come for the Government to address some of the bigger, longer-term challenges with the immigration system.
For starters, the accredited employer scheme is a shambles.
Farmers pay to become accredited employers; it’s a time-tested process and farmers must have a long history of being good employers and keep good records. But it’s still taking farmers four to five months to get a visa for overseas workers.
If the Government doesn’t fix these challenges over the next 12 months, farmers will find themselves back in the exact same situation next season.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
OPINION: Have a plan in place now!
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers arable chair, Bevan Lill, said Beef + Lamb NZ data indicated that for the last six years, the average arable return on investment was about 0.8% while inflation ran about 4% - so the average arable farm was going backwards at about 3% a year.
LIC shareholders have elected a new North Island representative to the co-operative's Board, along with five representatives to its Shareholder Reference Group (SRG), following the company's Annual Meeting held in Invercargill.
Farmers across parts of Southland and South Otago are continuing to deal with difficult conditions after a prolonged run of wet weather, with pressure building around feed supply, stock management, pasture damage, farm infrastructure and everyday workloads.
Federated Farmers says it welcomes Labour's commitment to reviewing the Sharemilking Agreements Act, calling on other major parties to do the same.
For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.
Fonterra has unveiled its annual results for the 2026 financial year, posting $27 billion in revenue and close to $20 billion returned to New Zealand farmer owners and unit holders.
The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.
OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…
OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…
