The inter-generational problem would be based on a shift in values from growing cow numbers and milk solids to remaining a profitable and attractive industry with a lower environmental footprint, South Waikato dairy farmer George Moss said at the Farmer’s Forum at Mystery Creek.
«How do we grow our businesses? How do we get the next generation in? How are we able to exit with the sort of lifestyles that we want, yet at the same time reduce our footprint and reduce our impact on the environment?»
Earlier that day, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor refuted claims the Government wanted a cap on cow numbers. Instead, it wanted better nutrient management on farms.
Moss was participating in a panel discussion on the industry’s future at the two-day event attended by more than 500 people.
He said farmers had to find that sweet spot, where they were making a profit while lowering their greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient levels.
«We thought historically in terms of cow numbers. We thought historically about milk solids, but the question historically been put in front of us is, how can we generate those dollars for ‘New Zealand Inc’ and ‘Dairy Inc’ with a lesser footprint.»
He believed the next generation of farmers were more eager to be part of that story than his generation.
«My generation came from a model where you worked hard, produce more milk, someone will sell it on your behalf, end of story.»
The next generation were focused more on «smarts» and on-farm behaviour, said Moss.
He said farmers would have to mentally cope with a both exciting and scary change.
The frightening part was not being able to meet that challenge as a farmer, while the exciting part was the value the industry could deliver to wider society including food and nutrition, he said.
Farmers could choose to be victims and be negative, or embrace change. To achieve that they had to respect people and their opinions and maintain a dialogue.
«Operating in silos is really not an option if we want to optimise New Zealand Inc.»
Moss said the opportunities for dairy had never been brighter as the world population was growing and getting wealthier.
«The demand for food, certainly in the next 20 years is going to increase massively.»
There were also higher expectations by people about how food was produced.
«When you look at how New Zealand is placed to do that, with the exception of Ireland and parts of the United States, we are still the best grass growing place and we have the best technologies around for turning grass into milk.»
By: GERALD PIDDOCK
Source: Stuff
Link: https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/103807054/dairy-industry-needs-to-find-ways-to-grow-wealth-and-shrink-its-environmental-impact
