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Daily Digest: May 18, 2020

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The average age of Kiwi sheep and beef farmers is in the late 50s, dairy farmers in the late 40s. Modern farm equipment has made it easier for farmers to continue to do the physical work on farms that was a hardship for earlier generations.
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Another factor keeping farmers’ hands to the plough is the reluctance of offspring to take over the reins in a world where they have many other options.

But as former Fonterra director Mark Townshend has pointed out, the covid-19 crisis presents an unparalleled opportunity to reset the dairy industry, especially in relation to nurturing future leaders and seeking out the best school-leaving talent.

With so many seeking jobs he believes the industry can afford to be choosey. In its turn, the sector can offer work flexibility, online technology and personal development paths.

 

Long-term water plans for Northland

The drought afflicting Northland has focused minds on exploring options to make the region more resilient. Most affected so far have been farm dams and streams but deeper aquifers are holding up well. 

 

Fieldays teams up with TradeMe

Attendees of the virtual Fieldays event will be able to satisfy their consumer urges by ordering products through the online trading site. The event will run from July 13-26 with access free to the public.

 

How dairy could profit 

The dairy industry has a golden opportunity to pick up the most talented school-leavers because so many will be seeking jobs, former Fonterra director Mark Townshend says. It could also provide a youthful jolt in the arm for a sector that is ageing.

 

Down on the farm with an All Black

Farmstrong Ambassador Sam Whitelock has taken a step back from rugby on his family’s Hawke’s Bay farm while seeing out lockdown. It’s given him and partner Hannah a chance to work out the important issues in life. 

 

Getting up to speed with milking 

Taranaki dairy farmer family the Arderns went to the United States for a solution to their slow milking times and are now milking 600 cows an hour, which they believe might make theirs the fastest dairy shed in the country. 

 

Tonight on Sarah's Country:

7.10 pm – New Zealand's economy has been through many challenges in the past 100 years but the Government’s and Reserve Bank's fiscal and monetary responses of late will determine our recovery. Sarah speaks to experienced business and trade leader Chris Simpson.

7.20 pm – The attitudinal survey collected by Our Land and Water asked the public for its perceptions about food and fibre production in New Zealand and yielded four key insights.  Sarah discusses them with senior social scientist at AgResearch, Dr James Turner.

7.30 pm – We unpack last week’s Budget and the immediate needs for rural New Zealand in health, education and connectivity with Rural Women New Zealand president Fiona Gower.

7.40 pm – Our major food exporters have gathered to pen an open letter to ministers to press how vital trade leadership is in tackling trade distortions and discriminatory policies. Sarah will discuss this with the International Business Forum chairman Malcolm Bailey.

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