AGRIBUSINESS
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Russia’s re-entry expected to boost global dairy prices.
Implement app a first.
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MANAGEMENT Nitrogen diverted to milk yields means less excretion. PAGE 28-29
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS AUGUST 1, 2017: ISSUE 635
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Facts not politics! SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
LICENCED IMMIGRATION adviser Graydon Sharratt says facts, not politics, should drive good policy. Though it may be wishful thinking in an election year, he says, if the Government wants effective results in a growing economy, policy changes – especially on work visas – should be aligned to skills shortages in different industries and regions instead of hampering an industry such as dairy. Staff shortages in dairy farming are well documented and policy should align with this, the Hamilton owner of Greenstone Global Immigration Advisors says. “This way there is flexibility to change settings as the labour market changes; that is why the skills shortage lists exist,” he told Rural News. Sharratt isn’t surprised recent changes to immigration flagged by the Government haven’t gone down well in the South Island. Prime Minister Bill English last week confirmed that the proposed immigration crackdown will be watered down after a backlash from provincial bosses. English says the policy won’t be scrapped, just changed “around the parameters”. The Government announced in April an overhaul of the skills requirements for work visas as immigration heated up as an election year issue. The dairy industry has complained about the proposed changes especially to temporary visas. Dairying has been short of skilled workers for many
years and this appears to be worsening, Sharratt says. “It makes no sense to place unnecessary roadblocks to obtaining key skills from overseas when unemployment figures are near historic lows. This will merely constrain the economy from further growth if businesses and farmers cannot find New Zealand staff to support their growth.” Sharratt says the proposed changes catches virtually all dairy staff below farm manager level. This means the partners of a large portion of overseas staff will have no
work rights and their children will not be able to attend school as domestic students; and getting them into a oneyear cycle of visas will be unhealthy for the industry. “Replacing a trained, established worker in NZ (due to the proposed stand-down period) with another one from overseas (likely because of the prevailing skills shortages) makes no sense.” Sharratt points to the Federated Farmers remuneration survey of 2017 that shows 46% of dairy respondents found it “not at all easy” or “not very
WET, WET, WET
easy” to find employees. WINZ skills-match reports show consistently that NZers able to fill farming roles are unavailable. Sharratt says market shortages show clearly that the categories ‘herd manager’ and ‘assistant herd manager’ should be returned to the skills shortage list. All applicants who meet skills shortage list criteria should be allowed longer term visas, their partners to work and their children to attend school as domestic students, as they do now.
Soggy farmland, just south of Chamberlains Ford on the lower Selwyn River, south of Christchurch, a few days after the heavy rain during the July 22-23 weekend. The river is only slowly receding after bursting its banks at Coes Ford during the deluge. PHOTO: RURAL NEWS GROUP
UP SHE GOES, AGAIN FONTERRA CHAIRMAN John Wilson says the signs point to a good 2017-18 season. The co-op last week lifted its milk payout by 25c/kgMS, taking its forecast payout for the season to $6.75/kgMS. A forecast earnings per share range of 45 to 55 cents makes the forecast total available payout to farmers for the 2017-18 season $7.20 - $7.30/kgMS before retentions. Wilson says the lift in milk price reflects the ongoing rebalancing of supply and demand in global dairy markets. “We are seeing growing confidence onfarm across the country and with global demand for dairy strengthening the signs are for a good start to the season for our farmers and their rural communities, although following a challenging period of very wet conditions for some of our farmers,” says Wilson. “The increased farmgate milk price will be welcome news to farmers as they continue to invest in their businesses off the back of an improved 2016-2017 season, with the usual reminder to budget cautiously especially in the early part of the season.” Last season Fonterra paid its farmers $6.15/kgMS as the milk price; earnings per share stands at 45 to 55c.
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