Jul 5, 2024
Executive Committee Report
Well winter has definitely arrived here in Hawke’s Bay, with 180 ml falling in the past 48 hours and the underfoot conditions now sodden. The positive is the water table is now full and the temperature is still reasonably warm. With scanning out of the way and surplus hinds dispersed into the appropriate channels, we now settle in to winter mode and take the opportunity between feeding out to ensure maintenance on the velveting facilities is completed before the upcoming season.
The Executive Committee has been out and about recently; with Justin and Mark attending the SCNO AGM, Mark attending Central Regions AGM and by the time this goes to print Mark and I will have been to the Wairarapa AGM. This helps us to meet and interact with a wider group of farmers outside of our own regions, listen to their concerns and maintain clarity on what’s important for the industry. These interactions are an essential component when advocating for farmers and working alongside DINZ in ensuring the success of our industry. To this point, the SCNO branch are seeking wider branch support to highlight the impacts of greenhouse gas legislative settings on farming profitability and the future of deer farming specifically in this country. To get some real traction and add weight to SCNO concerns, they need numbers. The NZDFA has over 1000 members and represents all deer farmers, acting as a collective voice strengthens the messaging the NZDFA and DINZ made in their submission to the Climate Change Commission (https://deernz.org/home/deer-industry-new-zealand/dinz-our-role/ click on “submissions” at the bottom of the page). If you support this initiative contact your branch chair and encourage him/her to support SCNO in their endeavours.
Central Regions is hosting this year’s Next Generation on 8 and 9 of August in the mighty Manawatu. This will be the twelfth year since its conception, with a programme that includes farm visits and theory alongside a social evening. Registrations are now open and spaces are limited to 50, so if you or someone you know is interested get in quick. Like my own branch, most offer support to members or their staff, so please get in touch and see what is available.
A couple of weeks ago I spent the week in Hamilton at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, and had the pleasure of witnessing the Guild and Dunbar Families of High Peak Station being named National Ambassadors for Sustainable Farming and Growing. This amazing family are only the second deer farmers to receive this accolade, with Hamish and Simon sure to make excellent ambassadors. Alongside Lindsay Fung (Producer manager), Luka Jansen, Sara Elmes and John Ladley, Linda and I were proud to witness fellow deer farmers sharing their story and advocating strongly for our sector. For any of the 220 people who made it to their open day in early May, they are probably not surprised that the Canterbury representatives in the Ballance Farm Environment Awards went on to claim the top award. John Ladley said, “this is an intergenerational farm business with a clear vision based on trust, integrity and communication”, while James Guild said his farming thinking had changed over 50 years from a single production focus to a three-way emphasis of profitability, biodiversity and aesthetics, these attributes clearly shone through and undoubtedly helped secure their success. Given this coming year will see the bi-annual Deer Industry Environment Awards presented in Queenstown I would encourage anyone to step up and partake for their own benefit as well as that of the industry. It can be viewed as both a learning opportunity and as a chance to showcase our industry’s leading attitude to environmental stewardship.
I look forward to meeting more of you during my tenure on the executive and representing your views, working alongside DINZ and supporting the board to ensure the continued success of our industry.
Cheers
Evan
