Challenges For New Zealand Dairy Farmers

Challenges For New Zealand Dairy Farmers

Former Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has challenged New Zealand’s dairy farmers to prosper from the markets of tomorrow by acting now.

Mrs Shipley, the final speaker at the inaugural two-day DairyNZ Farmer’s Forum, said the dairy industry needed to look to Asia for opportunities.

“They regard you very highly [in China] but do you see them as partners?” she asked the 850-strong audience at the Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton.

“Those who work out how to leverage them as potential partners, in my view are the people who are going to be substantially wealthy in 10 or 20 years time.

“Are you sure that owning 100 per cent of something that globally is relatively small, is your best strategy? Or indeed owning 45 or 55 per cent of something very large.”

“There is more you can do to be wealthy and sustainable. The question of what is the right strategy for you is an ongoing question and whether or not you have the right leaders across a broad enough focus for your industry to prosper. Those are the two challenges I wish to leave you to reflect on.

Mrs Shipley’s speech was a fitting end to the forum which was the largest gathering of North Island dairy farmers for many years.

The second day of the forum was kicked off by DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle who outlined the challenges and opportunities for the decade ahead.

“Realising the opportunity in front of us will be challenging, but it’s doable and we do have so much going for us – as you would have heard many times before people have got to eat, and the outlook for demand for our high quality food is very positive,” Dr Mackle said.

“New Zealand dairy farmers are a resilient bunch and I am confident we can adapt to the challenges and achieve that opportunity,” he said.

Mr Mackle was thrilled by the turnout to the forum and is looking forward to next year’s event.

“The presenters over the last few days will leave us all with something to think about as we all strive to better our great industry.

“Our job now is to think about how we might make it even better next year,” he said.

Farmer feedback for the event was positive with many enjoying the practical advice from workshops as well as the more strategic discussion.

Te Awamutu farm owner Pat Edwards who went to both days of the event said the levy was well spent, on what he thought was one of the best conferences he had been to.

The highlights for Mr Edwards’ were spread over the two days.

“Yesterday the main speeches with Henry van der Heyden (Fonterra Chairman) and the minister of Agriculture were good and today I felt the scientists that talked about feed conversion efficiency were excellent, he said.

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