Arable farm industry a key player

Modern farming can be a lonely business if you are not involved with any groups off the farm. For arable farmers, being part of Federated Farmers' Grain/Seed industry group is one way to get involved. Photo / Thinkstock

Life is a continuous process of learning, knowledge acquisition and adaptation.

With my background in people-focussed dairy research, the last three months has been a steep learning curve absorbing as much information and knowledge as possible, about the complex arable industry.

Upon reflection, our arable farmers are highly knowledgeable, skilled and innovative. At the same time, they are undervalued by the majority of New Zealanders, as other primary industries' fluctuations between success and failure consume public consciousness.

Economically, the arable industry punches above its weight in New Zealand. It is estimated direct sales from arable production were $868 million in 2011, when indirect sales are factored in, suppliers to arable producers brought arable sales up to $2.2 billion. Arable's contribution to GDP is approximately $959 million.

Not bad when you consider the challenging environment arable farmers operate in. Mother Nature has thrown storms, floods, and droughts at farmers in 2013/14, amongst high and low prices for arable crops.

These factors, and others, have been the trigger for some to jump ship and convert to dairying. Above all, arable farmers are continuously innovating, adapting and learning as new technologies and crops are introduced to the business.

But modern farming can be a lonely business if you are not involved with any groups off the farm. For arable farmers, getting involved with Federated Farmers' Grain/Seed industry group represents one way to get off the farm and involved.

Farmer representatives on the industry group are responsible for monitoring the ever increasing raft of complex rules and regulations, proposed or enforced, by government and other regulators.

Getting involved in the industry presents an opportunity for farmers to make and advocate for positive change in the arable industry, at a district, regional and national level; and give back to an arable industry which has, for many, provided a successful career pathway.

Once those issues are dealt with, regular meetings provide an opportunity for farmers to get together to socialise and spin a yarn or two with other like-minded arable farmers around New Zealand.

The national network of arable farmers provides you with a group of farmers to contact, talk too and learn from. So come on, get involved.

To play a more prominent role in the Grain/Seed industry group of Federated Farmers, contact your provincial Grain/Seed Chair, or email me at prawlinson@fedfarm.org.nz.