Farmers vote in favour of merging Dexcel and Dairy InSight

Farmers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of merging industry bodies Dairy InSight and Dexcel, now they need to step up and take control, says Dairy Farmers of New Zealand chairman Frank Brenmuhl.

Dairy InSight collects a levy to fund research, while Dexcel undertakes research - both are ultimately responsible to farmers.

The merger was approved by 93 per cent of farmers, although only 19 per cent - 26 per cent based on milk supply - bothered to vote, Brenmuhl said.

"A lot of farmers didn't vote because they saw that it was going to happen, there was no choice, therefore they wouldn't be bothered, which is really disappointing."