William Rolleston: Playing to our strengths

Dr William Rolleston, president of Federated Farmers.

Federated Farmers has a new president, Dr William Rolleston. His first column emphasises the role of families in farming.

Agriculture in New Zealand has relied on two great pillars -- the farming family and science.

Whether a farm is family owned, has an off farm owner or is corporately owned there is usually a family at the centre of operations -- there has to be. 2014 is the year of the family farmer and recognises this central role played by our farming families.

This year is also the 100th anniversary of the birth of Norman Borlaug, the father of the Green Revolution. Not the political green, but the development of modern hybrids and the use of pesticides, fertilisers and irrigation.

Norman Borlaug grew up on a family farm in Iowa. He realised that farming needed help from scientists and so he dedicated his life to science. He spent 50 years developing the modern crops we know today and in the process increased crop yields in Mexico, India, Pakistan, and Africa -- in some cases by more than 10 times.

The International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT) and Biology Fortified have put together a short tribute in a clever rap mix using video of Dr Borlaug. We have put it up on our website (http://www.fedfarm.org.nz/). It is well worth watching just for the entertainment value but it also holds some important messages.

Of particular relevance is the contribution science has played and is playing in agriculture in New Zealand. Science has kept us at the front of the pack, but we can also use science to increase the value of our products; increase our productivity while remaining within our environmental footprint; reduce our risk of adverse events such as pests and diseases; and build resilience through water storage and irrigation. Most of all we can use science to ensure that our freedom to operate is not unnecessarily or unreasonably curtailed through those who may misrepresent the facts. Just like Norman Borlaug says in the video:

If I have anything to contribute to this world

I'm going to play that card and play it hard

When I know the scientific facts are right

I'm going to play that card and play it hard.

Federated Farmers is a strong and effective team -- from the policy team and staff; to the elected representatives and to the members themselves.

Watch Norm's tribute and be inspired -- as farmers we have much to contribute.