New Zealand dairy receives a new $46m investment

The investment is linked to Responsible Dairy, a programme focused on improving performance across farms. Its stated purpose is to support farmers using established and developing methods, technologies and operating systems that can increase efficiency while lowering the sector’s environmental footprint.

The programme builds on more than ten years of spending by farmers on effluent management, farm infrastructure and environmental stewardship. Responsible Dairy says positive results are already being observed from that work.

One long-term target is to raise milksolids production by 20% from existing farms and from changes in land use. The programme also sets a goal of lifting profitability across the dairy sector by 13%.

Its environmental objectives include cutting nitrogen leaching per hectare by 20%. Responsible Dairy also aims to increase riparian planting on farms by 60% and expand protected wetland areas by 50%.

“This shows us there is a clear need to lift performance across farms,” Campbell says. “Responsible Dairy aims to support farmers to adopt proven and emerging practices, technologies and systems that deliver both efficiency gains and reduced environmental footprint.”

Campbell also says the programme is intended to help the industry maintain its competitive position. “Global competitors are moving quickly and we need to continue evolving to maintain our competitive edge and protect the value of New Zealand dairy,” he says.