Challenge to keep ‘sacred cow’ healthy

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 26

Challenge to keep ‘sacred cow’ healthy

The greatest challenge facing the dairy industry was to stay healthy and vigorous in a sacred cow structure, according to Mr John Kneebone. He was addressing delegates at a Federated Farmers’ Dairy section seminar in Wellington. He is the federation’s representative on the National Research Advisory Council (N.R.A.C.). New product research, development and marketing were focused on at the seminar. Mr Kneebone said that the dairy industry was indeed in a sacred cow position.

Mr Kneebone said the dairy industry would either become a monolithic, moribund monster or remain vigorous and healthy. The only way for the industry to remain healthy was through its shareholders. “We must acknowledge our debt to the early industry people who saw our position and recognised the need for professionalism and did not shrink from employing it then,” he said. “And we must not shrink from employing it today.” Mr Kneebone spoke of a document recently produced by the N.R.A.C. detailing research areas in New Zealand and identifying those areas missing out. He urged delegates to obtain a copy of the document, which he said would

become more important in the future. “It will become increasai competitive in New and to get hold of the research resource,” he said. He said the dairy industry was now reaping the rewards and getting spectacular results from research investment 20 years ago and that investment in research was critical for the industry’s continued development. He urged delegates to continually remind themselves of the vulnerability of the dairy industry. They should keep informed of industry needs and be prepared to give industry leaders the mandate to take initiatives and spend money, Mr Kneebone said.

“If anyone questions the efficiency of the structure, it is like questioning motherhood. You can’t do it,” he said.