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Dairy Farming, Landscape and Community Change

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Dairy Farming, Landscape and Community Change Lincoln University Digital Thesis Copyright Statement The digital copy of this thesis is protected by the Copyright Act 1994 (New Zealand). This thesis may be consulted by you, provided you comply with the provisions of the Act and the following conditions of use: you will use the copy only for the purposes of research or private study you will recognise the author's right to be identified as the author of the thesis and due acknowledgement will be made to the author where appropriate you will obtain the author's permission before publishing any material from the thesis. The influence of the Black and White tide: Dairy farming, landscape and community change A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Science at Lincoln University by Philippa Jane Rawlinson Lincoln University 2011 i Abstract of a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Social Science. Abstract The influence of the black and white tide: Dairy farming, landscape and community change by Philippa Jane Rawlinson In Austen, a part of Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand, pastoral and arable communities have been centrally important to the rural economy, community, and landscape for multiple generations. Recently, these multi-generational land uses have been replaced by intensive dairy farms. The change has been dramatic. Sheep flocks and arable crops have been replaced by luscious swathes of green pasture and herds of dairy cows. Dairy farmers and their employees have replaced farming families, many of whom have been in the community for multiple generations. It is against this background that this thesis has sought to understand the factors underpinning the transition to intensive dairy farming, and the influence of this transition on the rural landscape, its residents, and community institutions. A qualitative research approach was used for collection of primary data. Semi- structured interviews were conducted with farmers, business and community leaders, and newcomers to Austen. Primary data were complemented by the collection of secondary academic literature and local government reports. These data were thematically coded, and sorted, to identify key categories, meanings, and ideas. In Austen, land use change has been driven by the availability and reliability of irrigation water, and introduction of more efficient methods of water application. The defining moment of change occurred in the late 1970s, when land was first purchased for ii conversion to dairy farming by career dairy farmers. Established land owners would remain committed to traditional land uses until the late 1990s. Consistent declines in pastoral commodity prices when compared to the continued prosperity of the dairy industry, and introduction of automated irrigation devices, enforced the decision to convert to dairy farming. It is since 2000, that the number of dairy cows has increased by 884 per cent, the total number of dairy herds has tripled, and an ever increasing number of farmers have converted to dairy farming. Conversion to dairy farming and introduction of automated irrigation, have contributed to a significant modification of the rural landscape. Once marked by abundant trees and hedges on paddock boundaries, these landscapes are now notable for their lack of trees and hedges. Production is paramount and shelter vegetation impedes this. The mode of dairy farming that prevails in Austen is an example of the continued commitment of farmers to productivism. Austen’s community has been influenced by the introduction of dairy farming. New conflicts and arrangements have emerged, only identified in a limited way in existing social research. These new conflicts are based around the migratory nature of dairy farm employees and new modes of operation associated with dairy farming. Community relations and rural schools are influenced by these conflicts. Without irrigation, it is doubtful whether any of these changes would have occurred. Keywords: Canterbury, dairy farming, land use change, rural landscape change, community change, productivism. iii Acknowledgements There are many people who have helped to contribute to this thesis. Firstly, I would like to thank my research participants. Thank you for sharing your stories, experiences, and opinions. Completing these interviews was the most interesting part of this research and I am so lucky to have been able to listen to your stories and present them in this thesis. To Professor Harvey Perkins and Dr. Rupert Tipples, my supervisors, it has been a long journey but we made it in the end. I appreciate the perseverance, interest, and guidance you provided me to complete this thesis. Thank you also to Lincoln University for providing me with this opportunity. Thank you to Karen and Pete. You have been my third and fourth supervisors, editors, and motivators throughout this entire process. Words cannot convey how much you helped me. Thanks to Minge and my family. I know you never understood what I was doing or what I was talking about, but it is all finished now. I know I would not have achieved this without your help and support. Thanks also to the numerous dairy farmers who have employed me over the last six years. I enjoyed the early mornings, the sunrises, and the opportunity to be part of a team. Finally, Jack you can have your house back. iv Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ........................................................................................................ v List of Figures ........................................................................................................... viii List of Tables .............................................................................................................. ix Chapter 1 Introduction ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Introduction to the study ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background to the study ............................................................................................ 2 1.3 Research Objectives ................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Naming the Study area ............................................................................................... 6 1.5 Personal Interest ........................................................................................................ 7 1.6 Thesis Structure and Organisation ............................................................................. 8 Chapter 2 Research Method ...................................................................................... 10 2.1 Qualitative Research Approach ................................................................................ 10 2.2 Data Collection ......................................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 Exploring the Research Context .............................................................................. 11 2.2.2 Semi Structured Interviews ..................................................................................... 12 2.2.3 Participant Selection ............................................................................................... 13 2.2.4 Participant Recruitment .......................................................................................... 14 2.2.5 Participant Observation .......................................................................................... 14 2.3 Ethical Considerations .............................................................................................. 15 2.4 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ 16 2.5 Critique of the Research Method as used by this study .......................................... 17 2.6 Chapter Summary ..................................................................................................... 18 Chapter 3 Literature Review ...................................................................................... 19 3.1 Rural Change Literature ............................................................................................ 19 3.1.1 Frameworks of Rural Change .................................................................................. 20 3.1.2 New Zealand Agriculture ......................................................................................... 24 3.1.3 Post productivist New Zealand? .............................................................................. 25 3.2 Characteristics of Intensive Dairy Farming ............................................................... 29 3.2.1 Labour Characteristics of the Dairy Industry ........................................................... 30 3.2.2 Dairy Farm Career Pathway ..................................................................................... 32 3.2.3 Dairy Farm Employee Migrations ............................................................................ 34 3.2.4 Migrant Dairy Farm Employees ..............................................................................
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