As a young lad on the farm in Golden Bay, Wayne Langford never dreamed he’d one day be the president of Federated Farmers.
But here he is, a little over one year into the job, and he’s still loving every moment of it.
“That a country boy from Tākaka can grow up to lead New Zealand’s largest farming organisation tells you everything you need to know about Federated Farmers,” Langford said in his address to the Primary Industries New Zealand (PINZ) Summit in Wellington.
“Federated Farmers is a true grassroots organisation, represented by real farmers from the ground up, from 24 provinces, and it’s open to anyone who wants to put their hand up.”
Reflecting on the past 12 months for farmers, Langford told delegates things “weren’t looking too flash” when he stepped into the presidency.
“Farmers had been worn down by six years of constant policy change that we didn’t always feel was practical, fair, or affordable.”
He Waka Eke Noa, Cyclone Gabrielle, rampant on-farm inflation, and rising interest rates had knocked farmers’ confidence to rock bottom, he said.
Then came a crashing lamb schedule, and Fonterra revising their payout to a possible $6.75.
“It’s been really tough on-farm. Most of us have been in survival mode just trying to get through with our farms and our families still intact.”
Like other businesses across the country, Federated Farmers has had to take a hard look at itself, Langford said.
“The reality is we had become a little bit bloated but, more alarmingly, we had strayed slightly away from our core purpose: to be the voice of farmers.”
Under Langford’s watch, the organisation made internal changes, but also started “going hard” on policy, promoting 12 policy priorities for restoring farmer confidence at the election.
“We wanted to make sure our voice was truly representing farmers’ views.”
Part of rebuilding Federated Farmers – and rural confidence – has meant getting really clear on what roles the different farming bodies should play, he said.
“We took a good look at what we were going to do and what some of the agricultural bodies around us should be doing too.
“We know Federated Farmers bring the farmers’ voice, but we started to ask: what do the others do?
“How could we not only highlight the farmers’ voice, but play a crucial role in getting the best out of all those other farming organisations?
“Team Ag was still there; it just needed a new first five-eighth to help guide it around the paddock.”
Langford joked he’d never make the cut as first five in his local rugby team, but he’s been happy to take the role on – the playmaker – for ‘Team Ag’.
Having got most of Federated Farmers’ 12 policy priorities across the goal line with the new Government, “the real work starts now”, he said.
That work needs to include resource management reform, getting farm plans sorted, fixing the immigration settings, and having important discussions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Local government spending and rates increases need to be reined in, and work on climate change and our emissions reductions must continue, he said.
“And let’s not forget the important work Richard McIntyre (Federated Farmers banking spokesperson) is doing with this banking inquiry.
“That’s the number-one issue for farmers, and we won’t be letting anyone forget about that.”
Another top priority for the year ahead will be championing our wool sector.
“This is wool’s time to shine, and we will be driving it hard,” Langford said.
“We need to wear the clean green economy that we keep talking about – and wool is our answer to that.”
It’s also time for the sector to come up with its own plan for freshwater, just like we did with the Clean Streams Accord a decade ago, Langford said.
“In the coming months I’ll be pulling together a group to try and come up with a practical and realistic freshwater strategy for the next five years, 10 years and beyond.
“I’m not sure what that strategy is going to look like just yet, but I’m sure as heck not waiting for another minister to decide on our direction of travel on this one.”
He said it’s going to be a busy year ahead.
“If anyone is asking why I’m pulling Team Ag back together, it’s because we’re all going to need to be on the same page if we want to get it all done.”
Langford concluded by asking all present at the PINZ Summit to stand up and look around the room.
“We should be really proud. We are in this together in this tough time.
“Tough times build tough people, amazing people and amazing farming communities.
“Thank you to all of you who make this happen.”
Federated Farmers, New Zealand’s leading independent rural advocacy organisation, has established a news and insights partnership with AgriHQ, the country’s leading rural publisher, to give the farmers of New Zealand a more informed, united and stronger voice. Federated Farmers news and commentary appears each week in its own section of the Farmers Weekly print edition and online.
In Focus Podcast | Re-elected Feds president keen to get to work
Bryan chats with newly re-elected Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford following last week’s successful Primary Industries Summit.
Wayne talks about the federation’s priorities for the coming year.
