Per capita income of New Zealand was approximately 40 per cent of that of an American in the mid-1980s; now it is almost 66 per cent, at least in part because of the growth of the dairy industry.
Last year, dairy exports were worth more than $15 billion -- almost four times as much as they were in the mid-1980s.
In addition, the Government has been able to pay down the national debt whilst supporting increased education participation, plus infrastructure development and health - and everything else that goes with a developed country (despite reliance on primary production).
Forward to the past is not an option -- the future requires unconstrained thinking. If drought is to become more regular, as predicted under the climate change scenarios, farming water is the imperative.
C4 crops such as sugar cane and maize use water and nitrogen more efficiently than the traditional temperature pasture species upon which New Zealand pasture is based.
The increase in maize area around the country is estimated by the Foundation for Arable Research to be more than 60,000 ha for silage and about 17,000 ha for grain.
New Zealand is not yet hot enough for sugar cane -- but maize crops have a lot to offer.
Growing maize followed by a winter-active ryegrass can give dry matter yield of more than 30 tonnes in the Waikato.
The ryegrass can be grazed in situ by dry cows and then, when the cows calve, can be harvested for silage.
The big danger with this continual cropping is a decrease in soil organic matter, but during maize cultivation, organic matter from a feed pad or animal shelter can be incorporated.
Any bought-in material such as PKE also adds to the carbon, but is a loss from where it was grown.
Systems involving wood chips which collect the faecal matter and urine, preventing the effluent from reaching the soil, provide a carbon boost for cropped ground, maintaining and even increasing soil organic matter (depending on previous inputs and starting point).
Having a feed pad or shelter decreases feed wastage and nutrient loss, and in the case of the shelter, also provides protection from the elements -- particularly heat.
Keeping horses cool has been in the press this year, but keeping cows cool is also important.
DairyNZ's website explains that at 75 per cent relative humidity and 21 degrees centigrade for friesians and 25.5 degrees celsius for jersey cows, New Zealand cows begin to experience the effects of heat stress.
Feed intake reduces and production decreases by approximately 10g milksolids per day per unit increase in the Temperature Humidity Index.
An increase to 27 degrees and 80 per cent humidity equates to 100g decrease in milksolids/cow/day; a decrease in fat/protein percentage occurs before a drop in yield or milksolids is visible.
Shelters provide shade for all, whereas trees do not; shelters don't drop branches or fall over on power lines, fences or vehicles.
And the cows can still have access to pasture -- just not at wet or hot times of the year.
Research is required to investigate what farmers are already doing -- making the most of what appears to be working. The area of maize is expanding and shelters are being built.
Economic calculations on their use must take into account the climate challenges for the future and the welfare benefits the shelter provides, as well as the protection for the environment.
The question for the future must be what enables sustainable food production. Decreasing risks to production is part of being sustainable, just as protecting the environment is important.
New Zealand's history has been in leading the way towards efficient farming of soils and pastures; farming water is the next leadership role.
