Chris de Wet

As a dairy farmer himself, Chris de Wet is well aware of the pressure farmers are under to deliver world-class, sustainably produced milk under increasing complex conditions.

“I’m passionate about the dairy sector and its future and I see myself as a trusted adviser to its farmers. My role is to empower dairy farmers to become, and remain, highly skilled and efficient operators of future-fit farms, while maintaining best on-farm practices in a sustainable way.

“Dairy farmers operate in a highly competitive and advanced sector and work extremely hard all year round. They also look out for each other.

“For example, during 2022’s Cyclone Gabrielle, I contacted farmers in my area who were badly affected by flooding, to let them know about Government relief support. Most of them declined, saying they’d rather have the support given to farmers worse off than them.”

The regional teams’ key aim is to help farmers remain resilient and profitable by sharing with them the latest best practices, and robust and reliable information, tools, and technological advances.

“That also includes my liaising regularly with other rural professionals and service providers within the wider dairy sector. It’s crucial to exchange relevant information, to detect any looming issues or needs, and to learn from each other.

“I’m a dairy farmer myself, and I absolutely love what I am doing. Our sector and its farmers are very focused on producing high quality food to be exported and admired globally as being healthy, sustainable, and safe. To be able to play a role in the success of that at the on-farm level and beyond is a privilege.”

• Find out more about DairyNZ’s other Upper North Island regional team members.
• Check out our nationwide regional teams.