February 2, 2012

A group of university students visiting from the United States and given a tour of a farm in Ashburton have left the country impressed. The 34-strong group of students from the universities of Montana and Wisconsin-LaCrosse and the State University of New York were on a 23-day visit and toured the 270-hectare farm last month.
The farm is situated 5km north of Ashburton, milks 850 cows per day and is managed by farm manager Kurt Harmer.
The students were briefed by Westland Milk Products representatives on the assigned topic of Sustainability: People, Business, and the Environment.
Discussions included what sustainability on a dairy farm means, how it can be applied on-farm and the varying aspects of sustainability in dairying, including the benefits to markets, customers and public perception.
Professor Jerry Furniss, tour leader and professor of the University of Montana’s School of Business says from an environmental perspective New Zealand was in an excellent business position. “This will pay great dividends in the future because New Zealand products are favourably viewed overseas.”
The United States, however, was still in the early stages of recognising the importance of sustainability. “The US is catching up and is only just starting to appreciate its obligations more seriously.”
Professor Furniss says he was “particularly impressed” with Westland Milk Products having a dedicated environmental manager and that its environmental and sustainability practices are ISO (International Standards Organisation) 14,001 certified.
“The US is demanding certification that is meaningful and the ISO accreditation, from farm gate to customer, is understood and in demand,” he says.
Westland Milk Products chief executive Rod Quin says Westland will build on this strong base and continue to improve its environmental standards in line with global expectations.
Farms such as the one visited by the professor aimed for high standards because they understood how important it was for their customers.
“Sustainability is a very important part of our business and one that we take very seriously,” Quin says.  
Business administration student Jeff Reichling, who grew up in a rural area and has milked cattle in Wisconsin, left the Ashburton farm very impressed with the efficiency of the operation and its environmental practices.
Brian Moses, also a business administration student from the University of Montana, said New Zealand businesses appeared to have a “go getter attitude” where people are not afraid to take the lead.
Professor Furniss said New Zealand as a whole has brand equity and urged dairy farmers across to country to continue to keep up the good work.
“Dairying in New Zealand has a great competitive advantage if they and the Government leaders can continue to push forward environmental strategies” he says.