Guest column – Tim Mackle

Challenges and opportunities

By Dr Tim Mackle

2020 has been a challenging year for the world, but Kiwi dairy farmers soldiered on through thick and thin.

As we reflect on 2020, I’m sure These stories, and all the work being everyone can agree it’s been done in the sector, is helping shift how a year of challenges and the community perceives dairy. opportunities. One thing does Our most recent public perception stand out, and that’s gratitude for living survey found that 73% of people felt in such a great country. positively towards dairy farmers and 62%

This year, farmers stepped up during felt positively towards the dairy sector (up the covid-19 lockdown as part of New from 58% a year ago). Zealand’s essential services and, in true We know some of this stems from Kiwi fashion, adapted quickly to keep the greater recognition of dairy farming farming despite the constraints. through covid-19 disruption, but also

At the heart of this response was from continued improvement in farm a need to keep everyone safe, while practices. producing food for Kiwis and our global Reducing our footprint is also a key customers, and much-needed export part of our future – being the most income for NZ. sustainable producers of milk offers great

Industry organisations, including opportunities. DairyNZ, helped make sure Moving On-farm improvement is an ongoing Day could go ahead, advocating for visa challenge and we are investing in a wide extensions for migrant workers and range of research to help make it easier providing information to ensure farmers to develop practical solutions to reduce could comply with new covid-19 rules. footprint, while maintaining profitability.

In June, DairyNZ also launched our GoDairy campaign, which offers Kiwis who have lost jobs due to covid-19 the “These stories, and opportunity to move into a dairy career. all the work being This is a positive step toward bridging done in the sector, is the staffing gap on farms by drawing helping shift how the newcomers into our sector. Covid-19 has also shone a light on the important role the dairy sector plays in community perceives dairy.” NZ.

At a time when some of our major sectors have been adversely affected, Some of this work includes trialling dairy is playing an increasingly vital role plantain to reduce farm nitrogen as a source of income and employment. loss, and our low nitrogen livestock

How the public views dairy was also a programme is looking to identify genetic priority for DairyNZ, and we have been traits as key contributors to nitrogen working to lift public perception and leaching and tools to breed cows with understanding of what we do. lower urinary nitrogen.

Our Vision is Clear campaign has been Policy also plays a big part too. This was sharing stories of environmental change highlighted through the new freshwater both on-farm and in our communities policy, which many farmers and sector with a growing number of Kiwis over the groups provided feedback to. DairyNZ past two years. This included reaching alone developed a 240-page submission over 400,000 people through The Vision and submitted 27 technical papers to the is Clear website, and an average of over Government last year. 500,000 on social media this month Some changes were made by the alone. Government, and work continues in DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says covid-19 has shined a spotlight on the importance of dairy farming, with the industry gaining greater recognition.

this space, liaising with government, partners and local councils. We will also be working closely with farmers to support on-farm changes and continue advocating for practical regulations.

Making environmental improvements while running a profitable business is where our Step Change programme comes in. This project will help farmers increase profitability while making progress towards environmental goals and adapting to future requirements.

This year we have also made good progress towards the eradication of Mycoplasma bovis.

As part of that, over 1000 farmers have used the free compensation service offered by DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ.

DairyNZ will continue to be actively involved in the M bovis programme at governance level and on the ground with farmers.

As we look ahead to the rest of the season, DairyNZ will continue to work with you, and for you, to deliver a better future for all NZ dairy farmers.

We have committed to three promises to achieve this: developing better solutions through science, shaping a better future for dairy farmers and supporting better farming.

Now, with Christmas and New Year coming soon, I hope you and your team take the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends, and recharge as we head into 2021.

Ngā mihi nui. n