Industry prepares for greener pastures

• Published date: 25 May 2023
• Publication title: Clutha Leader

It is also the time when the majority of sale and purchase agreements for dairy farms go through

With the continued resilience of New Zealand’s primary agricultural industry, Moving Day retains its huge significance for rural communities such as the Clutha district.

It may be the first official day of winter, but that will not deter dozens of farming families and thousands of cattle from hitting Clutha’s highways and byways as they migrate to greener pastures.

It is not just a busy time for frontline dairy people, but also for all those industries that service the dairy sector, such as contractors, banks and haulage firms.

Estimates place the total value of stock that changes hands nationwide around this time at well over $2billion each year — activity that keeps sales managers, accountants and haulage contractors flat out approaching the seasonal transition.

For many sharemilkers and their families, however, Moving Day means adapting to life on a new farm with new idiosyncrasies, new business relationships and a new community.

Tales are told of rural schools whose rolls either double or halve in the space of a weekend, and the changeover can be particularly challenging for any children involved, leaving old friends behind and forging friendships anew.

And with such a large volume of additional heavy traffic on the day...