Federated Farmers: Winds of change set Feds on bold tack

MPI minister Nathan Guy.

National Conference 2015 "Resilient Agri-Business" may well be recalled in the future as a significant turning point for the Federation and farmers in general.

It's apt that this year's conference was held in Wellington, the windy city, as there is certainly a wind shift in how the organisation is setting course, and its willingness to accommodate other, less comfortable world views.

For example, who would have imagined a Massey professor holding the floor at a Federation conference talking climate change?

Ditto that, a non-farmer discussing the inconvenience of 'social licence', and how farmers should be prepared to tackle it if they want to keep farming uninterrupted like their forefathers had.

Perhaps conference 2015 will be recalled as a watershed moment for the Federation with the launch of the Water Team, an important strategic formation which is likely to have an enduring legacy for farmers and all New Zealanders.

And, as the honourable Nathan Guy acknowledged, Federated Farmers is soon to launch its science team which will ensure the Federation has credibility and nous for those pivotal debates ahead, around climate change and solutions towards farming environmentally and sustainably.

Maori are our future farmers, Te Ohu Kai Moana chief executive Peter Douglas told the intrigued conference.

If farming was to meet increased demands around global food production and MPI's target of 50,000 extra primary sector workers, it would require significant recruitment of Maori.

Westpac's Dominick Stephens, meanwhile, assured the audience that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

During a Q & A session we learned that the often envied Nordic countries were just as curious about us.

"I lived in Finland for a year, and I can tell you, all the people there wanted to talk about is New Zealand," he said.

Throughout the conference the resilience theme resonated as guest speakers articulately linked innovation, trade, food security, water storage and economy as central aspects.

The Federation's reach and relevance has never been greater.

The aspirations are bold and uncertainties naturally follow.

But farmers can be sure the 2015 Federation is seeking a more proactive and less reactive stance than in the past.

While the recent strategic refresh revealed Federated Farmers is regarded as a significant primary sector leader, the wider industry wishes and expects the Federation to lead more.

Last month's conference set a precedent and though reactions were typically mixed, there was no doubt that members were better informed and as a result, better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.