I have watched with some interest and a heavy degree of cynicism as the madness over milk pricing plays out. Why such credibility is given to dairy companies that compete directly with Fonterra remains a mystery to me. It seems so obvious that they will cry foul and want the price of raw milk dropped so they can pay less for their milk supply and make more money for their shareholders - the majority of whom are foreign investors.

Of course, the average consumer is going to get involved as they think there is a direct correlation between the price of milk paid to farmers and the price they pay at supermarkets. As a farmer, I can assure you that as the price I get paid for milk decreases, the price of milk at the supermarket will never follow suit.

Fonterra, while not perfect, is New Zealand’s sacred cow. It is one of our largest export earners and contributes to the local economy through jobs, resources and donations. It is envied by all of our international competitors, who would love to have the scale and co-operative nature that Fonterra fosters.

Fonterra and the entire dairy industry should be recognised for all that they contribute to our way of life here in New Zealand and not slaughtered at the altar of bigotry and misinformation. Try and imagine a New Zealand without it - if you dare.