7 minute read
Industry Good – DairyNZ
Apply now for international staff
Tim Mackle
DairyNZ chief executive
We know finding enough staff to keep our farms going is one of dairy farmers’ biggest current concerns.
The Government recently announced another 300 international dairy farm workers will be allowed into New Zealand this year. This adds to the 200 places dairy was given in 2021.
Given the dairy sector requested government allow 1500 dairy workers into NZ in 2022, we are disappointed with just 300 places being granted. DairyNZ is continuing to advocate strongly on farmers’ behalf for more international workers.
The staff shortage is putting significant pressure on many farmers and farm workers, as well as creating risks around health and safety, and animal welfare. It’s been a tough time for many.
If you aren’t able to fill farm positions with Kiwis, it’s worthwhile applying now to bring an international worker in through the border exception.
It’s very unlikely we will see another chance to recruit international workers before this calving. If the nomination criteria is met, then applications operate on a first-in first-served basis – so now is the time to act to bring someone onboard for calving.
Workers on the class exception visa can undertake any dairy farm role, including working as a farm assistant. Farm assistants need to be paid $28 per hour.
Significantly, the Government also announced that international workers no longer need to isolate or stay in MIQ, which speeds up the process and reduces costs.
With these changes, and more clarity about the criteria, we hope to see more farmers sponsoring international workers to come into NZ to help relieve some of the pressure on farms.
DairyNZ is continuing its drive to attract Kiwis. We recently launched a new Join Us campaign, aiming to connect dairy farmers and New Zealanders and inviting Kiwis to get a dairy job – see www.godairy.co.nz for more detail.
It’s been great to see we’ve had lots of interest from Kiwis in this new campaign and strong support from farmers.
The new class exception will allow 300 international dairy workers to enter NZ. Employers must apply to DairyNZ to nominate a worker and then have a class exception visa granted by Immigration NZ.
A 2021 class exception is already open for applications, which allows 200 dairy workers to enter NZ, and has nearly been filled. Remaining places in the 2021 exception will be filled before the 2022 exception.
For both class exceptions, workers are able to enter from March 5, 2022, without isolating or using MIQ. n
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A limited number of dairy workers may be eligible to enter NZ under other criteria – for more information on all the options see www.dairynz.co.nz/border
One last word …
Despite the small drop at the last Global Dairy Trade auctions, farmers will still receive a record high payout with Fonterra’s forecast unchanged at $9.30-$9.90 and on top of that, shareholders will still receive a dividend this season.
And the announcement from Fonterra that the co-operative would withdraw from Russia would have sat well with most folk.
“Following careful consideration of the impact on our people and our long-term plans for the Russian market, we will now close our office in Moscow, redeploying staff where possible, and withdraw from our joint venture Unifood,” Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says.
And with only 1% of New Zealand’s total exports destined for Russia, Fonterra’s exit is unlikely to cause any great waves.
“Given the current strong demand for New Zealand dairy, we are confident in our ability to reallocate this product to other markets,” he says.
But regardless of the payout and everything that is going on in the world around us, farmers are still out there every day working away to put food on the table.
While many will be ramping down their system and milking once-a-day, or even drying off, autumn calving is well underway and most likely all but over in some parts of the country.
These farmers will continue fuelling the nation over the long, cold winter months but those I have spoken with say they are well-prepared to face whatever comes.
But whatever the system, farmers are under huge pressure from staff shortages but let’s hope that with covid restrictions at the border removed, we can well and truly welcome back immigrant workers in time for the new season to start.
By the end of the season, Kiwi farmers will have done two seasons of being understaffed, which comes on top of many rules and regulations changes which has added to high stress levels.
Check out this month’s feature on recruiting staff for tips and tricks.
Thanks to our Taranaki contributor Ross Nolly for this month’s great pic. He was out doing a photo shoot when he came across this incredible artwork on a Taranaki farm.
The farmer told us that with covid causing many cancellations such as Fieldays and A&P shows, they wanted to do something to cheer people up. They put a great deal of time and thought into designing and creating it and positioned it perfectly next to the road so it brings a smile to passing motorists.
Sonita
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Dairy Diary
April 2022
April 4 – DairyNZ
Cow Collar Technology on-farm The ins and outs of cow collars Are you thinking about cow collar technology? Join us for a day focused on farmer’s results using collars for mating over spring. Info at www.dairyevents.co.nz
April 5 – Dairy Women’s Network
Our live webinar conference keynote speaker Alicia McKay is a straight-talking strategist. She is a leading expert in strategy and change, and helps people, teams, and leaders to make sense and make decisions to transform their lives, teams, and organisations. Learn practical tools and tips on how to stay rounded and calm while coping with change that is happening all around us. Info at www.dwn.co.nz/events
April 5-6 – DairyNZ
West Coast Housed System Field Tour Housing, free stall barns, composting mootels, stand-off pads, loafing barns, herd homes, composting shelters and duration controlled grazing. Learn about everything from what’s involved to what the banks think about them. Info at www.dairyevents.co.nz
April 7 and 27 – Primary People
FarmTune workshops, Southland Take waste out of your business, empower your people and grow your bottom line with FarmTune, the lean management programme for farmers. Info at www.primarypeople.co.nz/
April 12 – SMASH
Spotlight on the System field day, Hukerenui Our hosts, Evan and Sherleen Smeath, and their son and daughter-in-law, Clinton and Pam, milk about 280 Jersey cows on 95ha. At this event we will find out about their system and also discuss lameness, diverse pasture and crops. Info at www.smallerherds.co.nz
April 13 – Primary People
Good to Great Primary Sector People & Team Leadership Programme: Workshop 3, Southland/South Otago. Improve your knowledge, grow your skills and become confident leading your people. Info at www.primarypeople.co.nz/
April 14 – SMASH
Spotlight on the System field day, Hamilton Our hosts, farm owners Henry and Nicky Hendriks and 2IC Lockie Turner-Liddell are running a 63ha, System 5 farm, wintering 330 cows. Their unique system is the focus of this day, where we are going to look into their excellent reproductive results; how they grow and utilise their homegrown feed; and their preparation for the future and discuss lameness – stopping the hop. Info at www.smallerherds.co.nz
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
Regional awards dinner, various dates and locations Join us to celebrate the best of each region’s Share Farmers, Dairy Managers and Dairy Trainees, with the winners of each category progressing to the National Finals in May 2022. Info at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz/
April New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
Regional winner’s field days to be held on-farm. This is an opportunity to hear the 2022 Regional Share Farmer, Dairy Manager and Dairy Trainee of the Year winners speak. Venue TBC after the winners were announced. Info at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz/ SMASH has several fieldays during April, which are yet to be confirmed Info at www.smallerherds.co.nz
May – Primary People
Good to Great Primary Sector People & Team Leadership Programme workshops. Improve your knowledge, grow your skills and become confident leading your people. Info at www.primarypeople.co.nz/
