On a recent beef field day + Lamb New Zealand at Jeff Farm, the organizers asked the more than 30 people present to discuss ideas about what the industry group should “keep doing, start doing and stop doing”.
The crowd was divided into three groups for the exercise.
West Otago’s dairy farmer Bryce McKenzie, who was the Stop Group Gate, believed that beef + Lamb should interrupt his defense work. The lawwork work for all groups in the primary sector should be left only for federated farmers to create a stronger voice, he said.
Southern Otago farmer John Cochrane, a Keep Doing Group Door, said his group wanted Beef + Lamb to continue his defense work, but that came with a warning.
“There must be some advocacy, but it should only represent the opinions of the people who are paying their fees and not some hidden agenda + lamb can have … Two voices are stronger than one and, if you are singing in the same hymn spreadsheet, there is value in numbers. A person will not change the world, but 10,000 can.”
The different groups in the industry representing farmers were “chipped” when the previous government was in power, Cochrane said.
Alan Thomson, executive -chief of New Zealand, said that everyone in the primary sector had a role to play in defense.
“From farmers and rural professionals to processors, exporters and industry groups. Everyone brings a different perspective on the important problems for farmers.”
Beef + Lamb has worked closely with other industry groups, such as federated farmers and dairy products, to present a united front to the government on critical issues, maintaining their unique perspectives when necessary.
“It is important to have a dedicated voice for sheep and meat farmers, as their needs can be distinct.”
Beef + Lamb was committed to listening to farmers and representing their voices, he said.
“Along with our work in economics, research and innovation and extension, we engage in policies and advocacy because we receive a very strong message from our farmers that defense is one of the most important things we do. We regularly ask our farmers’ vision about the issues that are important to them.
“Our new strategy has also restricted our focus on political issues that significantly impact sheep and beef farmers and increase engagement.
“We use science, insights and information to assume evidence -based law positions. This gives us a fantastic leverage in policy discussions with the government.
“It is essential that Beef + Lamb is able to represent the specific needs of sheep and beef farmers, including biosafety, well -being animal, international trade policy and environmental and climate policy.
“Our approach ensures effective advocacy for our farmers, recognizing that sometimes different agricultural systems can have competing priorities. We are all working for the same goals – sometimes it means with a voice, but sometimes it is important not to lose our individual voices.
“There are a number of rural issues and policies that affect the rural sector and federated farmers do a fantastic job of defending our rural communities in this space – which is why we support a strong federated farmer.”
Dairynz Farm Solutions and Policy General Manager David Burger said that the advocacy supported by science, as Dairynz undertakes, is the defense of his best.
“Our unique difference is our technical experience, which helps to inform evidence -based policy.
“We often bring a comprehensive economic assessment of regional implications and in the farm of various policy proposals to the table.”
Dairynz works closely in collaboration with federated farmers and beef + lamb to align with politics to ensure a united voice.
“We recognize that there is room for all of us to present our cases. Sometimes we provide our ideas to others to bring a case on behalf of our sector. Other times, we partner as we know that farmers feel supported by messages aligned with organizations with a number of different knowledge.”
Dairynz had a mandate to defend farmers, he said.
“That’s why we work hard to get involved with policy formulators throughout the political spectrum to ensure more lasting policy settings for dairy producers.”
Policy formulators always sought a wide range of visualizations and sought the specific experience of each organization to help them make decisions.
“Our science -based advocacy helps specifically influence practical, lasting and accessible practical policy for dairy producers, using all our experience in the agricultural system.”
Federated president of farmers Wayne Langford said the idea of federated farmers defending on behalf of all farmers was a vision held by many farmers.
“It’s not that they don’t support Dairynz and Beef + Lamb, it’s more than they really want to see them out of law and focusing on their main businesses.
“What farmers really need our rates now, probably more than ever, is a very strong science, research and extension.”
Federated farmers played a different role to play, he said.
“Advocacy is what we do. It is why thousands of farmers across the country voluntarily pay us an association fee.
Federated farmers were “Pan Sector”.
“Not only do we advocate milk producers, sheep and farmers or farmers- we advocate solutions that will work for all farmers.
“When federated farmers say something, the government can be sure it’s what farmers are really thinking.”
shawn.mcavinue@alliedpress.co.nz
