DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 28, 2017
NEWS // 5
Planning for future farm systems PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE NEW strategy for
the dairy sector will lead to a longer conversation about what New Zealand’s future farm and food systems could look like. That’s the view of DairyNZ’s chief executive Dr Tim Mackle when talking about ‘Dairy Tomorrow’, the new strategy developed by DairyNZ with DCANZ, Federated Farmers and the Dairy Woman’s Network. It was launched last week in Wellington. The new strategy
embodies fundamental beliefs and positions, including successfully farming within limits; maximising the value from NZ milk while preserving the benefits in pasture based systems; caring for people, animals and the environment; and not tolerating people who fail to comply with rules on these subjects. It also is committed to greater transparency. The strategy itself has six major commitments: ■■ protecting and nurturing the environment for future generations ■■ building the world’s most competitive and
resilient dairy farming business ■■ producing the highest quality and most valued dairy nutrition ■■ leading the world in onfarm care of animals ■■ building great workplaces for a talented workforce ■■ growing vibrant and prosperous communities. Mackle says sustainable dairy farming has a critical role to play in NZ’s prosperity and wellbeing . He says farming
Tim Mackle
within limits and maintaining profitability is key to the industry’s success in global markets.
framework for world-leading onfarm animal care.” One of the challenges the authors of this strategy will have is getting complete buy-in from farmers. In practical terms, what will ‘not tolerating non-compliance’ with key rules actually translate into? Refusing to take milk or cutting payout from recidivist non-compliers? How will they get all farmers to be great employers and not tarnish the image of the industry?
These and other challenges -- some of which are outside the control of the sector -- are acknowledged in the strategy: geopolitical and trade issues, changing cultural and social attitudes towards food, slow or declining growth and getting greater and faster adoption of new technologies. The report also notes the constraints on food production including water and, no doubt, land and the potential for disruption by climate change.
CSL Chillboost Introduces our new...
SUPPORT PARTNERS THE PARTNERS in the strategy have naturally supported it, with DCANZ chairman Malcolm Bailey saying the core to it is the six commitments. “Sustainable dairying has a positive contribution to make to NZ’s future prosperity. The industry is committed to farming within limits, maximising the value of our pastoral based system and taking care of our people, environment and animals,” he says. Bailey says the new strategy will build on the substantial investments made in improved sustainability in recent years, including the $1 billion spent by farmers in onfarm environmental improvements. Federated Farmers dairy chair Chris Lewis says the new strategy builds on past work, especially significant achievements during the last four years. He says the sector’s future challenge is to reaffirm that our production and value chains are sustainable, and that they meet the expectations of all consumers and communities.
“We want to begin straight away collaborating on strategies and actions toward achieving swimmable waterways and finding new opportunities to reduce or offset our greenhouse gas emissions,” Mackle says. “These actions will be ongoing priorities. At the same time we’ve put deadlines in place for implementing new initiatives, including developing cutting-edge science and technology solutions and implementing a new
An inexpensive and novel device designed for use where milk blend temperatures are marginal or too high to meet the new cooling requirements.
CSL Chillboost is a simple solution to drop the blend temperature of milk in your vat. CSL Chillboost quickly retrofits to your existing cooling system. CSL Chillboost is easy to install and user programmable to fine tune your cooling. Not the answer for everyone but will assist even if other cooling shortcomings exist. Talk to us today about this exciting new product.
NEW PRODUCT!
0800 10 7006 www.corkillsystems.co.nz
THE ONLY BVD VACCINE
with a 12 month fetal protection claim1. Another great reason to use Bovilis® BVD. Following a third dose (annual vaccination) Bovilis BVD provides 12 months fetal protection (ACVM no: A8237)
1
AVAILABLE ONLY UNDER VETERINARY AUTHORISATION. ACVM No: A8237 ®Registered trademark. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz NZ/BOV/0117/0001(1)