In our last two surveys 56% of the people surveyed had a favourable or very favourable view of dairy farmers. About 25% were neutral while only 20% saw dairy farmers unfavourably.
That is good news and we should celebrate it – while never losing focus that we can help improve it.
We know there is a strong desire among farmers to share all the great things happening on farms to improve the environment and the important role dairy plays in supporting the country’s wellbeing.
DairyNZ has a range of work under way to do that.
Our movement The Vision is Clear aims to inspire Kiwis to care for our waterways by sharing the work on dairy farms and in communities to improve water quality. Stories are shared through online news, videos and Facebook.
More than 500,000 people have visited The Vision is Clear’s online hub in the first 18 months of the campaign and videos have had more than five million views. In recent surveys people who had heard of The Vision is Clear said they, too, have a role to play in looking after waterways and had a more positive impression of dairy farmers.
DairyNZ also sent 300 stories to the media in the past year and interacted with the media 775 times – to answer questions or share story ideas.
People often tend to remember news stories they are interested in so there is a perception that media coverage is mostly negative – but actually about 90% of stories on the dairy sector are positive or neutral.
That is something else that should be celebrated because we believe dairy has a powerful story to share that all Kiwis should be proud of.
DairyNZ has produced farmer guides to social media, story-telling and taking a great photo. They are available online at www.dairynz.co.nz/publications under dairy industry.
We also sponsor organisations like AgProud and Open Farms to help share the story and deliver educational programmes about dairy in schools.
Our movement to engage with the public on how we can collectively look after water quality is going really well.
The Vision is Clear’s WorldWaterDay celebrated World Water Day on March 22.
This competition asked Kiwis to upload their favourite summer water photos to Instagram to be in to win. The competition was designed to celebrate the great work being done by all Kiwis to improve our waterways and to encourage people to get involved and follow the movement. Check out www.dairynz.co.nz/the-vision-is-clear.
If you’re wondering how you can support the effort you can have an amazing impact just by sharing your authentic and caring view of how we do dairy in New Zealand.
There are many different ways to do that – from posting photos and stories on social media and sharing them with your friends to opening your farm gates to the community through to taking stunning photos of your farm and backyard. You have something special to show people and they will love seeing it.
Lee Cowan
Senior communications and engagement manager
DairyNZ
Vote soon
Milksolids levy voting opens soon
What: You’re being asked to vote on whether you agree a levy on milksolids, used to fund research and development and other sector activities, should continue.
When: Voting opens on April 17 and closes on May 30.
How: Levy payers can vote online or by post – look out for your voting pack in the mail.
For more information visit dairynz.co.nz/vote.
