“We’ve got a really important role in the way we invest in on-farm practical tools, research, extension, farmer support and advocacy.”
Brown said DairyNZ would also be hosting events nationwide to give farmers the chance to have their say.
“There’ll be plenty of opportunities to engage with our team on the ground, but there’ll also be directors and members of the leadership team out and about.
“So farmers have got every opportunity to come and talk to us about what they like, what they don’t like, and what else they think we need to do.”
Brown said a strong turnout was crucial, as DairyNZ needed to present Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay with clear farmer backing for its continuation — a requirement for all levy bodies under parliamentary process.
“We’ve had good turnouts in the past for these votes, so we’re really hoping that’ll happen again.”
As for the rest of 2026, Brown highlighted DairyNZ’s work on present challenges and future opportunities.
“We’re really focused on tackling the problems that farmers have got immediately in front of them, but also things that might be coming at us down the track.”
Current projects include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investigating extended lactation, and improving herd genetics through workshops with LIC and Fonterra.
She said policy advocacy remained a core focus, with DairyNZ reviewing recent Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms and preparing submissions on freshwater regulations.
“The indications are there’s quite a bit of positive stuff in there for farmers in terms of...a more permissive approach to production in rural areas.
“There’ll be greater emphasis on Farm Environment Plans…more recognition of the work the catchment groups do.”
Brown encouraged farmers to share their views on the RMA.
“If farmers want to have a say around the RMA, get in touch with DairyNZ because we really want to reflect farmers’ views and what we put forward and our feedback around that.”
Find out more about the DairyNZ levy vote here.
