Friday, March 29, 2024

ALTERNATIVE VIEW: Feds conference gets it right

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I’ve been to more Federated Farmers conferences than I care to remember. Somewhere between turgid and torrid would be where I’d put most. It was, therefore, with some pleasure I went to last week’s event. It was interesting, relevant and entertaining.
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It was, therefore, with some pleasure I went to last week’s event. It was interesting, relevant and entertaining.

The people were different too. Not a crew of old blokes reminiscing about their school days in a few private schools but young and old, male and female, farmers, bureaucrats and industry.

It was impeccably organised and I ended up feeling proud of being part of a vital New Zealand industry.

Yes, there are problems as we all know but with a will we can handle them and go on to become bigger and better.

We had a dynamic introduction from Feds president Katie Milne and fellow conference chairman Steve Maharey. They did a good job setting the scene and keeping the conference moving.

That was followed by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern who I hadn’t seen perform in person before.

She was most impressive, giving the distinct impression she knows and understands the issues and is capable of working through them.

I can remember going to a Feds conference a lifetime ago when Labour’s Colin Moyle was agriculture minister. He was introduced as the right minister in the wrong party.

Subsequent Labour agriculture minister Jim Sutton described Feds as the National Party in gumboots.

That’s not so today. 

Ardern was given a warm welcome as was Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. NZ First’s Shane Jones spoke at the cocktail party and was highly entertaining. 

I’m sure many in the audience didn’t or wouldn’t vote Labour or NZ First but Federated Farmers has matured to the point they’ll work with the government of the day regardless of who it might be.

That’s the best outcome for both parties.

Ardern talked trade and markets and the importance of China. She said the environment is a critical part of NZ’s story and brand. There was the importance of the environment in trade negotiations and the long-term challenges of waterways, emissions, sustainability and trade.

Reassuringly, she said change can’t be as rapid or uncaring as has happened and we don’t want jarring changes in NZ.

You’ll be pleased to know the Primary Industries Ministry’s Situation and Outlook Report is all positive going forward. 

Farming’s looking good.

What I found fascinating was the growth in high-value exports with infant formula now worth $1 billion. Kiwifruit, blood products, honey, cherries and whole milk have also large increases in value. 

There was a panel discussion that included Dairy Companies Association chairman Malcolm Bailey and former politician and diplomat Sir Lockwood Smith. They told us farming could be even better with gene editing and reform of the Resource Management Act. I agree on both counts. 

Another panel included Forest Owners Association chief Peter Weir who said trees will be planted on flat and rolling land and fertilised in future. His wish is for an earthquake to devastate Wellington so it can be rebuilt in wood.

I don’t think he impressed many.

Dr Catherine Duthie from MPI biosecurity was highly convincing. With 770,000 containers and seven million passengers entering the country she certainly has a job to do.

The dinner was great, the awards well deserved, especially the Outstanding Contributor to Primary Industries Award which was won by Oamaru Vet Dr Merlyn Hay.

Hay is the young, committed vet who persevered to identify Mycoplasma bovis.

The job she did was amazing and vital to farming in NZ. She spoke both humbly and well.

O’Connor told the conference he sees NZ as the Swiss watch of protein products.

He talked enduring, sustainable growth, which I support.

Hans Johr of Nestle was inspirational, telling us about farming in the future and the changes that need to be made. It was a session not to be missed.

There were other sessions on topics including block chain, attracting future farm workers and more options for the future.

What impressed me most was the group of more than 300 committed to farming. We had top local and international speakers telling us of the issues, challenges, threats and opportunities.

I felt good being part of the industry, I felt supported and believe the future isn’t going to be easy but it will be achievable.

The conference was well run, Te Papa was an ideal venue and people mixed and mingled.

Federated Farmers is to be congratulated. Talking to fellow geriatric journalists we agreed it was the best agricultural conference we’d attended.

I’ll be back next year.

Bailey started the reform of Federated Farmers over 20 years ago. He’d be pleased with the effective, committed, modern and strong organisation it has become.

The board is young, diversified and dynamic as are the staff. 

All that tells me if you’re not a member of Feds you’ve rocks in your head.

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