Opinion
FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – February 14, 2022
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Investing in dairy’s future
MISSION: Rural consultant Chris Gawler says Fonterra is on a mission to be a more attractive option to farmers, recently passing a vote to adopt a more flexible shareholding structure, among other changes.
The
Pulpit
Chris Gawler
T
HE farmer must be an optimist, or they wouldn’t still be a farmer. Farming is built on self-assurance that the work done today will pay off down the road, that the financial and labour sacrifices will act as investments for the future. Fonterra’s Co-operative Difference Payment follows that same principle. Acting as an incentive for farmers to make changes now that will better position their business for the future, the scheme is Fonterra’s investment into the future of New
Zealand dairy farming. What do I need to know? While dairy farmers will be aware of The Co-operative Difference framework introduced in 2019, the milk payment is still relatively new, coming in during Q1 2021. From June 1, 2021, Fonterra changed the way farmers are paid for their milk through the introduction of a new milk payment parameter. This saw a certain proportion of a farm’s milk payment influenced by the farm’s progress under the Co-operative Difference framework by up to 10 cents per kg MS, baked into the current price. Progress is determined by the farm’s sustainability credentials and milk quality. The Co-operative Difference Payment is divided into two parts. 1. Seven cents per kg MS for achievement under four focus areas: • Environment: Have a farm environment plan in place and be achieving three out of the four key practices. • Animals: Have an animal wellbeing plan signed off by your vet annually. • People and Community: Achieve 100% on the Dairy NZ Workplace 360 Assessment at foundation level. • Co-op and Prosperity: Maintain a full and accurate online Farm Dairy Diary. 2. Three cent per kg MS for milk that meets the ‘Excellence’ standard under the Milk Quality framework, once the previous criteria have been met.
To find out more about how to achieve the criteria for the Cooperative Difference Payment speak with a local advisor. Why should I change my business for 10c? The Co-op Difference Payment may seem like yet another piece of compliance to add to a growing list – and only for 10c. But as mentioned, this is Fonterra’s investment into the future of NZ dairy farming. By incentivising practices that improve quality and sustainability, Fonterra can help NZ hold its position in the market and respond to the growing expectation for sustainably produced, high-quality dairy from overseas markets. It also represents an investment for farmers. For those farm owners that make the changes to meet both the 7c and 3c criteria, they are not actually doing it for cents per kg MS. They are doing it to secure the future of their asset, that their dairy will continually be selected and sold, and to enable them to continue producing highquality dairy. While it’s 10c today, the Cooperative Difference Payment framework also has the flexibility to evolve and change over time, potentially increasing the payout total. So, positioning your business to reap the small rewards of the scheme for today could have big benefits down the track. Fonterra’s Co-operative and the future of dairy Fonterra is on a mission to be a more attractive option to farmers,
recently passing a vote to adopt a more flexible shareholding structure, among other changes. It’s not alone. Dairy companies like Synlait and Open Country both have similar sustainability initiatives to meet the demands of government and the market, demonstrating that this is not a single organisational shift, but an industry one.
Fonterra can help NZ hold its position in the market and respond to the growing expectation for sustainably produced, high-quality dairy from overseas markets.
It can be a hard decision to invest in changing your business for what may not feel like a large yield. And in the case of the Cooperative Difference Payment, farmers may have to increase overhead costs that result in less output. On top of finding ways to meet the new 190kg nitrogen cap rule imposed in July this year, this can seem like too much, too fast. But these changes won’t be the last. Sustainability and good practice are going to be the leading narratives in agriculture for the foreseeable future, so continuing to meet these changes
when they come into effect will position your business for future success. Making incremental changes now will be far easier than having to do a total overhaul of your farm and its practices, which could slow or stop business for a period of time. Spreading the cost of improvements over time by making ongoing changes is also easier than having to front up with the full cost of a radical rebuild. Demand for more sustainable farming is only going to increase. Farmers continue to lead from the front to preserve and grow a sustainable legacy for generations to come. Ask your adviser to keep you informed about developments in this area and how to maximise your cashflow while putting enough aside to invest in your future. For more information on achieving the Co-operative Difference Payment, contact Chris Gawler at Chris.Gawler@ bakertillysr.nz
Who am I? Chris Gawler is a rural consultant at Baker Tilly Staples Rodway in Taranaki.
Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519
