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10 Brakenridge leaves industry transformed Vol 21 No 13, April 10, 2023
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Embrace change, farmers told Neal Wallace
NEWS
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Production
LOBAL food and fibre sectors are facing significant changes to production systems, and the pace of change will only increase over the next 15 years, says Lain Jager, co-chair of the think tank Te Puna Whakaaronui. Food value chains are decarbonising and becoming more sustainable, which Jager said reflects a focus on country emission obligations, trade agreements and the demands of large food businesses and their customers. Other factors producers need to consider are the increasing focus of consumers on the sustainability credentials of food and the vast amounts of investment in technology. Jager acknowledges the sector is in the middle of once-in-ageneration change, which is difficult for all, especially farmers.
We need to work together to find a way forward because change is upon us, and growling at the government will not make it go away. Lain Jager Te Puna Whakaaronui
“The right question for the New Zealand Government and farmers to ask is ‘How can we work together most effectively to negotiate the change ahead of us?’, not ‘How can we go slower?’” Jager warns pressure will come on food value chains to innovate and evolve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as energy and transport make progress decarbonising their sectors “An important idea is that the NZ Government is not the prime driver of change and can’t protect NZ farmers from the change that is coming.” Te Puna Whakaaronui is funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries and is tasked with providing independent thought leadership on issues facing the primary sector. Another challenge is that dairy and sheep and beef farmers operate very different farming systems and economic models. “He Waka Eke Noa and the pathways to decarbonisation look very different to dairy farmers and sheep and beef farmers,” Jager said. The consequences of that are playing out in the current tension in the livestock industry, but Jager said the government can rightly claim it has worked to partner with the sector to confront agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. That is mixed comfort to many farmers who, he said, can’t see a financially viable and practical Continued page 3
Owl Farm opens up to young, old and udders Brooke, Aimee and Matthew Scarborough with Rosie the Cowbassador at the Owl Farm open day. The farm, created by St Peter’s School and Lincoln University, is run in conjunction with partners DairyNZ, Ballance, Farm Source, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Westpac.
Acland slips into BLNZ hot seat Engaging with farmers will be a ekey priority as Beef + Lamb New Zealand considers its response to the industry organisation’s annual meeting remits, new board chair Kate Acland says.
NEWS 4 Meat exporters wearily return to the ever-changing Indonesian market after a virtual trade standstill.
Scientists urged to meaningfully engage with Māori values and knowledge in resource management work.
The Gibbs family in Te Horo manage to mix horticulture, livestock and agritourism on their 48ha block.
MARKETS 13
OPINION 27
PEOPLE 30
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