How the dairy farmer survives political & environmental backlash

10 Oct 2023 | Conference News

Symposium News 2023

Former CEO of DairyNZ, Dr Tim Mackle wants to help tell the story of dairy – as an industry, a nutritional food-source and as a livelihood for farming families across New Zealand and Australia. “I’d like to share some insights and perspectives I’ve picked up and what this could mean for the Australian Dairy sector.

“I will talk about the combination of pressures that our famers have faced for many, many years now related to domestic challenges but also shifting customer expectations, domestically and internationally,” Dr Mackle said.

“Water quality issues have been around for quite some time now, emissions contributions, the global climate
discussion, animal care, regulations, but also, how farmer’s feel about themselves and their place in the community,
their sense of self-worth.

“I’ve talked to thousands of farmers over the years about how political and environmental criticisms have affected
them emotionally. I have seen first-hand some farmers reluctant to admit to being a farmer because they don’t want
the grief. There’s a level of pride for many there of course, but pride doesn’t always translate to confidence. It has really
taken its toll on farmers.”

While the industry faces challenges, Dr Mackle wants to help farmers share their story but also stay focused, protecting
a vital industry and also their own wellbeing. Dr Mackle completed his PHD in animal science with minors in physiology, dairy chemistry and nutrition in humans and
animals.

He looks toward the future with awareness of how disruptive innovation can turn an industry on its head. In relation to
dairy, Dr Mackle says synthetically-made dairy ingredients are looming, particularly if they can provide lower-price
products with lower environmental impact.

“Dairy and meat happen to be superior nutritionally, we do produce through dairy a wonderful wholesome, nutritious
food that also has a great story behind it. The story is getting better all the time – in terms of how we are producing
that food.

“We are going to have to be careful of how our story is told, the nutritional advantages need to be compared accurately
against the environmental footprint. Not just kilo for kilo but compare different foods on their nutritional benefits for
humans against the environmental footprint,” Dr Mackle said.

Dr Mackle highlights the economic effects Dairy has on rural communities, as an industry that hires more staff than
beef or sheep and is still primarily a family business with nine out of 10 farms being family-run.

“It’s vital to understand the multiplier effect Dairy has in rural communities – in terms of the dollar going around,” Dr
Mackle said.

“I’d like to motivate farmers to look forward with a vision of where they need to go to, despite politics and criticism
from NGOs. There has been so much angst and finger pointing at farmers and it can get in the way of where they need
to go as a sector and as farmers.

“The reality is, it does come back to the need to keep getting better. You cannot stand still. Farmers cannot afford to let
politics distract them from their long-term goals.”

When asked what he is most looking forward to by speaking at the upcoming DRF Symposium, Dr Mackle said, “I am
looking forward to hearing the Australian perspective, the mood, the challenges. Connecting with new people and
having an opportunity to share some of the insights we’ve picked up over here and hopefully they are useful.”

Dr Tim Mackle is a key speaker at the Dairy Research Foundation Symposium on the 7th and 8th of November in
Camden, NSW. Earlybird tickets are available until 30th September: https://www.drfsymposium.com.au/tickets/

About The Dairy Research Foundation
The DRF Symposium is an annual event held by The University of Sydney. One of the roles of the Dairy Research Foundation is to inform the dairy and general community on the work undertaken by the University and this has led to the organising of an Annual Symposium held at various location within the state, including Camden NSW in 2023.  

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