Tyler Langford - Golden Bay Federated Farmers
The recent Federated Farmers Dairy Council meeting in Hamilton brought together dairy farmer leaders from across New Zealand.
Progression pathways
The conference began with a joint session involving both sharefarmers and sharefarm owners. The focus of this meeting was on progressive career pathways within the industry, ensuring that sharemilking continues to provide a strong pathway for farmers progressing through the sector. Discussions also covered the work of the Contracts Review Committee, which is reviewing the Sharemilking and Contract Milking agreements to ensure they remain fair, practical and relevant as the industry continues to evolve.
Research
Council members also explored the implications of emerging technology on dairy farming, acknowledging the rapid pace of change in farm systems and the opportunities innovation presents for improving productivity while managing environmental and regulatory expectations. The second day included a visit to the DairyNZ research farm, where council members gained insight into the extensive research currently underway. The work being carried out is incredibly detailed and could significantly influence future farm management practices. It was exciting to see the range of science being undertaken and the practical questions researchers are working to answer.
The projects highlighted how science and farming knowledge are working together to support more productive and sustainable dairy systems.The LIC bull farm and methane research barn were also visited. The farm visit was particularly interesting, especially the discussion around the use of fresh semen compared with frozen semen and the role each plays in improving genetic gain across herds. The methane barn also provided valuable insight into research aimed at better understanding methane emissions from livestock.
Dairy-beef project
The final day brought together 24 regional dairy chairs from across the country. A key topic of discussion was the Surplus Calves project with Beef + Lamb New Zealand, which is exploring opportunities to strengthen the dairy-beef pathway.
The group also discussed priorities for the year ahead and the upcoming review of the livestock transport code.
Help shape policy
After serving as our regional dairy chair, I am stepping down from the role. It has been a privilege to represent local dairy farmers and contribute to discussions that help shape the direction of our industry. I strongly encourage anyone who is passionate about the future of dairying to consider stepping forward. These roles give farmers the opportunity to help shape policy rather than simply be shaped by it, ensuring that farmers have a seat at the tables where important decisions are made. Strong farmer representation helps protect the ability of our communities to keep doing what they love — producing world-class food and fibre while caring for the land and animals that sustain our industry.
