Talking Dairy: Recent Episodes
DairyNZ
Talking Dairy is a podcast for dairy farmers from DairyNZ that covers a range of topics from animals, pasture and feed, farm environment, people, and business. Subscribe now and be first to hear the latest episodes.
In this episode, Tracy Brown, DairyNZ board chair, Brian Anderton, DairyNZ government relations manager, and Leighton Parker, dairy farmer and Dairy Environment Leader, discuss what farmers are asking for ahead of the 2026 General Election, and how those needs have shaped DairyNZ’s six priorities for practical, evidence-backed policy that supports sustainable growth.
Find out more:
- Read about the priorities for the next Government
- Find out more about Dairy Environment Leaders
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Before someone steps onto your farm after travelling overseas, what do you ask them?
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) isn’t in New Zealand, and we all want to keep it that way. But with outbreaks overseas and more people travelling or visiting farms, now is a good time to check your visitor process is clear and easy to follow.
In this episode, Fi Roberts, DairyNZ head of biosecurity, and Mitch Cooper, DairyNZ senior technical and policy advisor and dairy vet, discuss FMD readiness, travel-related risk, and the practical steps you can take to help protect your herd, your people and your business.
Find out more:
- Foot and mouth disease | DairyNZ
- Visitor biosecurity management | DairyNZ
- Overseas travel - risk assessment. A biosecurity risk assessment that covers visiting overseas farms, what to consider before returning to New Zealand, and what to do on arrival.
- Biosecurity resources and tools | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
When a cow goes down, a clear plan helps you act early, support her recovery and keep your team moving during one of the busiest times of the season.
In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Mitch Cooper shares what to do when a cow goes down, how to spot when things are changing, and why clear communication can make a real difference at calving.
You’ll also learn about the “pattern of two” — a simple way to know when to reassess, ask for help, or take a closer look at your transition cow care.
It’s a useful listen if you want to support better cow recovery, reduce pressure on your team and make clear decisions during calving.
View the latest information on down cow management
Like this episode? You might also like these:
- Down cow care: Thriving after calving: Key cow care and recovery tips | Ep. 82 | DairyNZ
- New transition cow advice: Transition cow care advice and what rumination data tells us | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
You don’t need all the answers to start thinking about what comes next.
Recorded live at People Expo, this Talking Dairy In 10 episode puts progression and succession in the spotlight, with Jac McGowan joined by Greg Duncan from Dairy Australia.
Whether you’re thinking about your own next step, the future of your farm business, or the people coming through, this short episode is a good starting point for those important conversations.
Find out more about People Expo
Listen to 2026 People Expo keynote speaker James Laughlin’s Talking Dairy In 10 episode
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Power costs continue to rise, and a lot of farmers are asking the same question: could solar work on my farm?
In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris McArthur from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Solar on Farms programme and Rhys Mackenzie, a dairy farmer who’s making the move to solar on his farm. Together, they talk through what solar and batteries can realistically do on a dairy farm, where they add value, and what you need to think about before you invest.
You’ll get independent advice from Chris McArthur, alongside practical on-farm insight from Rhys Mackenzie as he shares what sparked the decision, what surprised him, and what he’d tell other farmers thinking about solar.
Find out more:
- Read the farm case study: Fairbank Farms
- Watch Fairbank Farms' experience with solar on farm
- Sign up to find out about EECA Solar on farms news and open days
- Read: Practical guidance for solar on farms | Inside Dairy
- Solar power on-farm information | DairyNZ
EECA Solar helpline for farmers
A dedicated solar helpline for farmers and growers, providing independent, practical guidance to help you make informed decisions. Call the team on 0800 300 643, or email us at solar@eeca.govt.nz
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
El Niño is getting a lot of attention, but what could it mean for your farm this season? In this episode, we cut through the noise with WeatherWatch’s Philip Duncan and farm systems expert Steve Veix. They share what to keep an eye on and where to focus your planning, so you’re better prepared for whatever the season brings.
Find out more: Plan ahead for El Nino | DairyNZ
Weather channels:
- Rural Weather
- WeatherWatch
- NIWA Weather
- MetService - Te Ratonga Tirorangi
- New Zealand Weather Forecasts
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Earlier this year, Hinehou Timutimu was named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and became the first Māori woman to receive the award. But this episode is about more than an award. It is about the whānau, whenua, values and experiences that shaped her, the doors that were opened for her, and the doors she now wants to open for others. With Brooke Sinclair and Jac McGowan, she reflects on leadership, belonging, courage and what becomes possible when you stay true to who you are.
Watch more:
- Te Karere
- Pūkāea
Read more:
- Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2026 Announced - Dairy Women's Network
- New Zealand Farm Environment Trust – Hinehou as a 2023 finalist
- Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust – Learn about the trust Hinehou leads as General Manager and its work.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Waiuku dairy farmer, and Dairy Environment Leader, Stu Muir has spent years restoring waterways, protecting the land and helping reconnect people with the Lower Waikato River Delta.
In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what inspired him to take action on his farm and across the Mangati Stream catchment, where once degraded, weed-choked waterways are now thriving ecosystems.
Stu was recently recognised with the first Kaitiaki Award at the Dairy Environment Leaders Forum, honouring his commitment to environmental restoration, kaitiakitanga and community leadership.
Hear how Stu’s practical, persistent approach has helped restore waterways, open up a public walkway and build momentum for positive change through the Dairy Environment Leaders network.
Are you ready to be a Dairy Environment Leader? Find out more.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
The weeks around calving can have a big influence on cow health, production and reproductive performance. In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks and dairy cattle vet Ryan Luckman discuss the latest advice on transition cow care, including DairyNZ’s updated feeding guidance for springers at target body condition score.
They also look at the role of rumination data and wearables — what they can show you, where their limits are, and how they can support better decisions when used alongside good feed management, stockmanship and knowledge of your own herd.
Read more: Transition cows | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Are you thinking about what’s next for you or your farm business?
Planning the next stage in dairy farming is unique to you. Honest conversations and the right tools can bring clarity and arm you with the confidence to move forward.
In this episode, high-performance coach and People Expo 2026 headline speaker James Laughlin shares a preview of what he’ll cover at this year’s events. He talks about what can hold us back, how to work through it, and how high-performance leadership can help transform your life and business.
He also touches on what holds us back and practical ways to manage this – a snapshot of what he’ll be sharing at the event.
If you’re a farm owner, farm manager, contract milker, sharemilker or equity partner, join us at People Expo to explore your next stage and how to get there.
Find out more and register here.
People Expo 2026 locations and dates:
- Palmerston North - Tuesday 16 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
- Te Awamutu - Thursday 18 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
- Invercargill - Tuesday 30 June, 12.00pm-4.00pm
- Dunsandel - Thursday 2 July, 12.00pm-4.00pm
Hosted by DairyNZ and Dairy Women's Network
Find out more about James Laughlin
Check out to James’ podcast – Habits of High Performers
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Are you feeding your calves enough to unlock their full potential?
In this episode, you’ll hear what the latest research says about early calf nutrition, and why feeding more milk before weaning can help your heifers hit growth targets sooner and produce more milk later.
You’ll also hear from Canterbury farmer Cam Henderson, who’s made the shift to ad-lib feeding. He shares what’s changed, what surprised him, and how the costs stacked up.
But this isn’t just about ad-lib systems. DairyNZ’s senior animal care specialist Penny Timmer-Arends shares other feeding approaches that achieve similar results. She discusses the principles behind calf growth, and how to weigh up the trade-offs and choose what fits your farm. You’ll also hear about the risks and how to manage them.
Download the Calf Rearing guide
Feeding milk to calves | DairyNZ
Read more:
‘Feeding more often feels natural and important to me’ | DairyNZ
Good as gold: the calves who feed themselves | DairyNZ
Laying the right foundation | DairyNZ
Inside Dairy - More milk, healthier calves, stronger heifers | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Winter will test your system, but a clear plan helps you stay in control. In this episode, DairyNZ Environment Manager Justin Kitto shares practical advice to help you set up a winter grazing plan that works when conditions turn. You’ll hear why putting a written plan in place matters, and how simple practices like back-fencing and smart water placement can protect your paddocks and improve cow comfort.
Justin covers how to make your plan work by involving your team and keeping it visible, so everyone knows what to do and when to act. He explains what to watch in your cows and your soil, including early signs that conditions are slipping, and why acting early protects lying time and overall cow wellbeing. You’ll also learn how having a Plan B helps you stay ahead of wet weather and keeps your system on track.
Get practical steps to manage winter grazing, protect cow condition and make decisions under pressure. When you’ve done the thinking upfront, you’re prepared to act quickly and confidently to deliver good outcomes for your cows, your people and your farm system.
Get information on wintering and animal care
Get the DairyNZ Winter Grazing Plan template
Get the poster - What to look out for in winter
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
New Zealand’s reputation for producing sustainable, high-quality food is closely tied to how animals are cared for across the farming system. One of the sector’s ongoing challenges – and opportunities – is how non‑replacement dairy calves are managed.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the newly launched Dairy Beef Opportunities programme, a cross-sector initiative designed to lift the value of dairy-beef, unlock better outcomes for non‑replacement calves, and strengthen integration between the dairy and beef sectors.
Paul Edwards (DairyNZ), Richard McColl (Meat Industry Association), and Jim Inglis (Beef + Lamb New Zealand) share insights into what the programme aims to achieve, what’s underpinning the work, and what it could mean for dairy farmers – including how to get involved and where new value could be created across the supply chain.
Read more about the Dairy Beef Opportunities programme
Would you like to get involved? Find out more and register your interest here
Read the Inside Dairy story: Boosting the dairy beef sector
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Strong advice plays an important role in confident decision‑making. As farming continues to change, the way advice is shaped, shared, and supported matters more than ever.
In this Talking Dairy episode, you’ll hear how strong, well‑connected advisors help farmers grow their businesses, and why investing in advisor capability lifts outcomes right across the sector. Jo Finer from the Institute of Rural Professionals of New Zealand and Mark Williams from DairyNZ share what this means in practice for farmers and rural professionals alike.
For dairy farmers, this episode looks at how well‑supported advisors bring the latest knowledge and connected support to your farm business.
For rural professionals, it explores the value of being part of a connected professional community that supports learning, lifts standards, and helps you stay relevant in a fast‑changing sector.
Find out more about the Institute of Rural Professionals of New Zealand
Visit the DairyNZ Rural Professionals Hub
We’re proud to partner with the Institute of Rural Professionals of New Zealand
Supporting trusted advice. Strengthening on-farm decisions.
DairyNZ partners with the Institute of Rural Professionals to stretch your levy further — helping connect farmers with high-quality, practical advice across the sector. Their broad membership of vets, consultants, bankers and farm advisors plays a key role in supporting farm businesses every day. Our partnership strengthens that network by backing their annual conference and growing capability across rural professions. It’s all about making sure the people who support you have the knowledge, tools, and confidence to help you make informed decisions on farm.
See how your levy is working harder through partnerships
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
When the pressure is on, having the right support makes all the difference. In this episode of Talking Dairy, we hear directly from the organisation supporting farmers through challenging times. Rural Support Trust national chair Michelle Ruddell joins DairyNZ people specialist Jane Muir to discuss the common pressures they’re seeing across dairy communities and what they do to ensure the right help is available at the right time. They also share practical insights to help ease the load and reset for the season ahead.
We’re proud to partner with Rural Support Trust.
Whether it’s financial pressure, a weather event, or personal struggles, they’re here to help. And so are we.
Rural Support Trust provides essential support during adverse weather events to help farmers respond and recover. Their team of local rural people understand firsthand the pressures that can mount up. Their network and training can help with a wide range of situations.
Our partnership helps ensure farmers, their teams, and their families get the support they need, when they need it most. Together, supporting farmers through every challenge.
Find out more about the Rural Support Trust
See how your levy is working harder through partnerships
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Global conflict can feel a long way from the farm gate until it starts showing up in your fuel bill, freight costs and next season’s budget.
In this episode, you hear from DairyNZ economist Mark Storey and farm system specialist Mark Speight about what the escalation of global conflict could mean for your farm business over the months ahead. They share insights into why fuel and freight costs are rising, how long higher costs could stick around, and what that means for inflation, interest rates and farm working expenses.
Most importantly, they share practical steps you can take now that are within your control such as stress‑testing budgets, planning for different cost scenarios, keeping cashflow front of mind, and maintaining strong farm system fundamentals.
You’ll also hear why New Zealand dairy remains resilient through periods of global volatility, and how your pasture‑based system gives you an advantage compared with many overseas competitors.
Links mentioned in this episode and more:
- Managing higher fuel costs on-farm
- Pasture assessment
- Budgeting
- Strategies to improve body condition score
- Team communication
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
What can dairy learn from the way horticulture uses robotics and automation?
In this episode, we're joined by Professor Mike Duke from the University of Waikato, recorded at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference where he was a keynote speaker. He works in horticulture robotics, and his insights translate to the challenges faced on farm. Mike talks about how new thinking around automation, data and design could shape the future of dairy, what dairy already does well, and where there’s room to go further.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
When effluent systems are designed and run well, they support your whole farm.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Debbie Care from AgVice and Shaun Hazelton from DairyNZ share insights into how to set your effluent system up to improve productivity, make the most out of valuable nutrients and protect your business over the long-term. This conversation looks at what’s involved in establishing good systems, what’s worth prioritising, and why autumn is a smart time to get things in shape.
Links mentioned in this episode and more:
- Get DairyNZ info about effluent management and operation
- Download the effluent management plan poster
- Find DairyNZ accredited effluent system design companies
- How does your effluent system stack up? Do your own Warrant of Fitness.
- Effluent Training Courses - DairyNZ
- Find out more about AgVice and Debbie Care
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Recorded live at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. In this episode, Dr Claudia Kamphuis cuts through the noise around data and shows you how to turn information into something of value. Drawing on her keynote presentation from the conference, she explains how smarter data use is speeding up breakthroughs and what that means for your everyday decisions.
You’ll hear why the real challenge isn’t collecting data, but knowing what to keep, what to ignore, and how to use it with confidence. Claudia shares practical insights on dealing with data overwhelm, connecting with the right people, and taking small steps that make technology work for you.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Autumn gives you a short but valuable window to set your herd up well.
In this Talking Dairy episode, DairyNZ scientist, Dr Susanne Meier, explains why hitting BCS targets before calving has such a big flow on effect—supporting recovery after calving, earlier cycling, stronger reproductive performance, and more milk in the vat next season. And DairyNZ farm systems specialist, Mark Williams, brings the farm system view: how to condition‑score your herd accurately, plan dry‑off dates with confidence, and choose feeding and drafting strategies that move the cows who need it most.
You’ll also learn about practical tools that make these decisions easier, including the dry off calculator, feed budgeting tool, and the BCS app many farmers now rely on to track progress through autumn.
Links mentioned in this episode and more:
- Milk On or Dry Off Calculator
- Body Condition Score (BCS) Dry-Off Calculator
- BCS App
- InCalf - Reproduction gap calculator
- Autumn smarts - Essential autumn tools for farm success
- FeedRight Module 26 - Allocate autumn pastures correctly (late lactation)
- FeedRight Module 27 - Measure and monitor body condition score (BCS) (late lactation)
- FeedRight Module 28 - Use crops and supplements profitably (late lactation)
- FeedRight Module 29 - Determine nutrient requirements (dry period)
- FeedRight Module 30 - Achieve body condition score (BCS) targets at calving (dry period)
- FeedRight Module 31 - Manage winter pastures and crops correctly (dry period)
- View all FeedRight Technotes
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Recorded live at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this episode features vet Kirsty Ashcroft from Anexa, who led a farmer panel sharing their experiences with wearable technology.
Kirsty highlights the importance of starting with the basics in the first season, avoiding alert fatigue, and working closely with vets to turn data into earlier identification, better decisions, and stronger animal health outcomes.
Kirsty also explains why successful adoption isn’t about the device itself, but about how you use it, who supports you, and how well the data fits your farm’s needs.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
Did you know?
Since this episode was recorded, DairyNZ has begun a three-year research programme on cow wearables, shaped by farmers, to help turn data into practical insights. The work focuses on benchmarking, understanding normal behaviour, improving key decisions at calving and mating, identifying resilient cows, and exploring how wearables can support pasture management — all aimed at helping farmers get more value from their investment. You can read more about this in the Feb-April 2026 Inside Dairy.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
If you want more control, confidence, and options in your business, building strong financial skills is one of the most powerful steps you can take. This episode shows you how to strengthen those skills so you can grow long‑term wealth and stay steady through whatever the season brings.
DairyNZ business specialists Sarah Brown and Paul Bird break financial management down into three simple parts: profit, drawings, and investing. You’ll learn how to benchmark your performance and budget with purpose so you can spot opportunities early and stay ahead of rising costs and changing payouts. They also share practical habits to reduce stress, smooth out variability, and avoid surprises - and explain how to invest surplus cash wisely, from essential upkeep to growth opportunities.
You’ll also discover levy‑funded tools you can use today - like DairyBase benchmarking, budgeting templates, cashflow tools, and courses such as Mark and Measure and Business by the Numbers - to keep building capability and confidence.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Annual Cash Budget Template
- Partial Budget
- 10-year equity forecast tool
- Monthly Cashflow Budget Fonterra Suppliers
- Get more DairyNZ business tools and resources
- View DairyNZ business information
- Discover the benefits of benchmarking your business against others - Join DairyBase
- Upskill with Dairy Training – find free training options.
- Mark and Measure is back for 2026 in Taupo (12-14 May) and Hanmer Springs (14-16 July). Find out more and register here.
Disclaimer:
The content in this podcast includes general commentary on market trends. It should not be considered as investment advice. Certain transactions, such as those involving futures, options, and high-yield securities, carry significant risks and may not be appropriate for all investors. We advise seeking independent legal or financial guidance before making any investment decisions.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker breaks down the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report, which captures the standout results from the 2024/25 season. You’ll hear how farmers produced record milk volumes from fewer cows, lifted productivity to new highs, and helped drive export earnings to more than $27 billion.
Campbell explains what’s behind the numbers, why the sector’s fundamentals are strong, and how the current season is tracking. If you want a quick, straight-talking snapshot of how dairy is really performing — and why your work continues to underpin the New Zealand economy — this episode is for you.
Download the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Recorded live at the Precision Dairy Farming Conference 2025 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this episode features Craig Piggott, founder and CEO of Halter.
Craig shares how he went from working at Rocket Lab to building virtual fencing technology that’s transforming pasture-based farming. He explains how Halter’s technology gives farmers precise control over grazing, lifts productivity, and creates more flexibility whether the goal is higher profit or better work–life balance.
From early prototypes tested on his parents’ farm to a 300+ strong team and international growth, this is a story about grit, farmer-led innovation, and what precision tech could unlock next for dairy farm systems.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Heat stress is a growing challenge on our dairy farms, and the impact on your farm could be bigger than you think. In this episode, you’ll hear how DairyNZ’s summer trial at Scott Farm is testing common mitigation tools, and assessing their return on investment, to find the best solutions.
Animal scientist Dr Charlotte Reed and senior animal care specialist Jac McGowan break down the research and share their early insights and observations from the trials. They also share current information and practical solutions you can use right now to keep your cows comfortable and productive in the heat.
Heat Stress research and current information
DairyNZ invests in heat stress research to give you evidence behind the solutions that improve cow comfort, protect performance, and support sustainable, future‑ready farm systems.
Read more about heat stress research in action at DairyNZ
Get current information for reducing heat stress in your dairy cows
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Northland farmer and DairyNZ associate director Greg Collins shares an inside look at his year in the role, as the search for the next associate director to join the DairyNZ Board gets underway.
If you’re a dairy farmer who’s ready to grow your governance skills and contribute to the dairy sector, this episode offers some great insights into what you need to know.
Greg is the 15th associate director on DairyNZ’s Board, since the initiative was introduced in 2013. The associate directorship is a one-year position that offers levy-paying farmers the chance to get first-hand governance experience.
Find out about the DairyNZ associate director role and how to apply
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
With the right structure, tools, and communication, contract milking and variable order sharemilking agreements become pathways for equity growth and stronger farm businesses.
This episode brings you practical insights on what makes those agreements successful for both parties.
DairyNZ senior business specialist Paul Bird, and contract milker Hayden Scott, share their experience and insights on aspects such as setting fair rates, managing cashflow in your first season, and having conversations that build trust.
They also explore the expectations and pressures on each side, and how to align them so the business relationship stays strong over time.
Learn more about contract milking
Learn more about setting up a contract milking agreement
Download the DairyNZ Contract Milking Premium Calculator.
A monthly cashflow budget takes your annual cash budget and spreads your income and expenses across the year giving you a month-by-month basis picture.
Enrol in a Dairy Training Contract Milking Course
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.
In this episode, you’ll hear from Teagasc researchers Dr Bernadette O’Brien and Dr Lisa Parce, who share what Ireland’s pasture-based farmers are doing with precision technology. How are Irish farmers making tech decisions, what motivates them to adopt new tools, and which technologies are becoming more common? Bernadette and Lisa also break down the social and farm-system factors linked to higher adoption, from herd size and labour needs, to environmental regulations and pasture management.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
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Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere — including on dairy farms.
In this episode, you’ll hear from DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and Perrin Ag senior consultant Rachel Durie, who have just completed a report on how dairy farmers are using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).
They share what they found, including examples of how farmers are already using GenAI, what’s working well, the risks to watch for, and the opportunities ahead.
Find out more about the research into GenAI use on dairy farms & read the report.
How are you using GenAI tools on your farm? Take our short survey.
Ready to try it? Try DairyNZ's DAiSY tool on the homepage or find out more here.
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Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.
This episode features Sharn Roskam and Stuart Taylor, who were part of the farmer panel. Sharn farms in Winton, Southland, with her husband and four children, milking 600 cows on a 280-hectare self-contained system. Stu is a fifth-generation dairy farmer and General Manager of Farming at Craigmore Sustainables, overseeing 20 dairy farms and 16,000 cows across Canterbury and North Otago. He combines strong farming fundamentals with a focus on people, sustainability, and smart adoption of proven innovations.
They talk openly about their wins, challenges, and lessons learned from adopting different farm technologies. They also share how technology can improve efficiency and work-life balance – while acknowledging it isn’t a quick fix.
View the conference highlights, proceedings and more
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Facial eczema is one of the toughest animal health challenges facing livestock farmers. It’s estimated to cost the dairy and red meat sectors $330 million in lost production every year. As summer gets hotter and more humid, the risk rises – and research shows it’s not just a North Island problem.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with two experts who bring both science and practical know-how. Dr Cara Brosnahan, principal scientist at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, leads the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts research programme. She explains what the team is learning about the disease, with results from a recent farmer survey and what solutions this research will deliver for farmers in the future. Mitch Cooper, DairyNZ senior technical and policy advisor and former dairy vet, shares practical steps to prevent facial eczema, from monitoring spore counts to planning zinc supplementation
Find out more about the research - B+LNZ Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme
View DairyNZ information about facial eczema
Download the DairyNZ Facial Eczema Management Guide
Get the 7 Steps to Managing Facial Eczema Using Zinc
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Whether you joined us in Christchurch or couldn’t make it, this episode is your chance to relive the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference. Hear from Dr Nicolas Lyons, Dr Callum Eastwood, and Dr Jenny Jago as they reflect on the event.
If you were there, you’ll enjoy revisiting the highlights and hearing what stood out. If you missed it, you’ll get to hear from a range of speakers, their research and the ideas shaping the future of dairy.
This conversation kicks off the Precision Dairy Farming podcast series, packed with practical insights from farmers, researchers, and innovators.
View the highlights, proceedings and more from the conference here
Meet the scientists:
Dr Nicolas Lyons
Dr Callum Eastwood
Dr Jenny Jago
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More farmers listened to this episode in 2025 than any other. Tune in to find out why it was so popular...
What does it take to build a top herd? South Taranaki farmers Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson started strong with a high Breeding Worth (BW) herd. But reaching the top 1% for BW in the country? That took smart decisions and a clear plan to drive genetic gain.
In this episode, Donovan and Sophie share how they've achieved their results and the highlights from the joint DairyNZ and Fonterra event they hosted with DairyNZ area manager Talissa Squire.
Did you know?
More Progressing Dairy events on improving genetic gain are coming in 2026. Find one near you.
Get the DairyNZ tools and resources mentioned in this episode:
- Breeding Worth - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Tools - Animal Herd Averages | DairyNZ
- Bull Search - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Bull Team - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) | DairyNZ
- InCalf reproduction gap calculator - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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In this episode of Talking Dairy, we unpack the findings of the most in-depth independent return on investment (ROI) ever – commissioned by DairyNZ to provide farmers with more transparency.
Join host Jac McGowan as she talks with Dr Alan Pearson from Nimmo Bell, the independent analysts behind the report, and DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown, who commissioned the work.
They explain:
- How $341 million in levy revenue delivered an estimated $2.98 billion in value for farmers between 2020 and 2025.
- Which initiatives delivered the biggest returns.
- Why collective investment is critical to keep dairy competitive and ready for the future.
- What DairyNZ is doing differently to ensure we’re focused on what matters to farmers.
If you’ve ever wondered “What's the return on my levy investment?”, this episode gives you the answer and the facts.
About the milksolids levy
Summary of report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers
Report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, animal scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks explains how research using wearable technology is building a deeper understanding of cow wellbeing and their experience in pasture-based systems.
Hear how scientists are combining a mix of tech and data in innovative ways to enhance research into animal care as they aim to uncover how cows respond to heat stress and other challenges, and test strategies like shade and sprinklers to see what really works. The goal? To create science-based solutions that help farmers confidently manage cow comfort and productivity more effectively in the future.
How to support positive welfare in your cows
Find out more about Heat Stress in Cows research
Read more about this research in Inside Dairy November-January 2026
Meet the scientist: Stacey Hendriks
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Every minute in the farm dairy counts. Research shows the right milking routine can save you hours every week. In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac McGowan chats with Dairy Training tutors Julie Morgan and Pete Morgan about how small changes at milking can make a big difference.
They explain how the free MilkSmart workshop can help you fine-tune your milking routine using proven DairyNZ science including MaxT, which can shave minutes off every milking, and in some cases over three hours per week.
If you’d like to know how you could get time back in your day, tune in to hear more and then check out Dairy Training to find a MilkSmart workshop near you.
MilkSmart - Dairy Training
About Dairy Training
Dairy Training is a subsidiary of DairyNZ and registered NZQA provider. With funding from the Tertiary Education Commission and support from DairyNZ, it delivers free training to help farmers build capability.
Courses are expertly designed, teaching practical skills farmers can use immediately. Dairy Training also delivers popular DairyNZ-designed workshops such as MilkSmart and CalvingSmart
Check out dairytraining.co.nzto find courses and workshops available near you.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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How is the great animal care already happening on your farm helping New Zealand dairy stay ahead of global market expectations?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore why animal care matters for New Zealand’s dairy competitiveness and how farmers have helped shape DairyNZ’s research right from the start.
You’ll hear from Penny Timmer-Arends and Dr Stacey Hendriks as they explain what markets and consumers are asking for, how NZ compares internationally, and what influences cow comfort and welfare in our pasture-based farm systems.
Penny and Stacey also discuss the challenges to good cow welfare that farmers are managing, like heat stress, comfortable lying surfaces and seasonal staffing pressure. They explain how current DairyNZ research – including work using wearable tech – is building better insights into how cows experience their environment, so farmers can make informed decisions, and our sector can stay future-ready.
This episode gives you a practical overview of where animal care expectations are heading and the science that supports farmers to stay ahead.
Links to more information mentioned in this episode:
Animal Welfare - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Research - Science Projects - Heat Stress | DairyNZ
Research - Science Projects - United States Mega Dairies | DairyNZ
The development of a tool to assess cow quality of life based on system-level attributes across pastoral dairy farms - ScienceDirect
Download the Preventing and managing lameness guide
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac McGowan chats with Noldy Rust, Chair of SMASH (Smaller Milk and Supply Herds), and Frank Portegys from DairyNZ, about how this grassroots initiative is helping farmers connect, learn, and grow stronger businesses together.
SMASH began as a local idea to celebrate and support smaller herd farmers. Partnering with DairyNZ, it’s grown into a nationwide network, offering practical learning open to everyone.
Find out what’s coming up on the SMASH calendar and what to expect when you head along to their events (we also heard there might be a good lunch there too).
Learn more about SMASH or find an event: SMASH NZ
About DairyNZ collaboration with sector partners
At DairyNZ, we work alongside trusted partners to stretch your levy further, supporting better farming, stronger communities, and a more resilient dairy sector. These partnerships aren’t just about funding. We roll up our sleeves too, offering time, tools and expertise to help deliver what matters most to farmers. By collaborating with sector leaders, we make an impact where it counts – reducing duplication, promoting better farming practices, and maintaining our independence and credibility. Together, we’re building a future that’s practical and inclusive, and maintains our competitive edge. Partnerships with organisations like SMASH reflect our shared commitment to delivering real value for New Zealand dairy farmers. Together, we’re shaping a sector that’s connected, capable and ready for the future. Find out more about DairyNZ partnerships.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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With Fonterra’s sale of global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis now approved, many shareholder farmers will soon receive a sizeable capital return, alongside strong milk prices. So, what’s the smartest move when opportunity knocks?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with financial commentator Martin Hawes and MBS Advisors director and rural accountant Nigel McWilliam about how to make confident, practical decisions that strengthen both your farm and your family’s future. From paying down debt to investing off-farm - or simply taking a well-earned break - they share grounded, no-nonsense advice on how to plan for the long term, reduce pressure, and make choices that fit your goals.
Thank you to Martin and Nigel for joining us on this episode. Find out more about them below:
Martin Hawes
MBS Advisors
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In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the latest DairyBase upgrades that make benchmarking faster and easier.
DairyBase, our farm benchmarking tool, now connects with Farm Focus – and soon with tools like MINDA and Fonterra – so your financial and herd data flows in with just a few clicks. That means quicker cashflow reports, timely insights, and less time at your desk.
Hear from DairyBase manager (and dairy farmer) Jodie Goudswaard, and South Waikato and Lower Waipa area manager Steph Gudgeon – also a dairy farmer and long-time DairyBase user – about how these integrations are already making a difference.
Log in to DairyBase
Not already with DairyBase?
Find out more about DairyBase
Why join DairyBase?
Join DairyBase now
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In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, get the inside scoop from Pasture Summit directors Robbie Ferris and Al Rayne. They reveal what’s happening at the upcoming Pasture Summit events, and why they’re a “must have” event on your calendar this spring.
Spring 2025 events are being held in Canterbury on Thursday 27 November, and Taranaki on Friday 12 December.
Find out more and register at: Pasture Summit
Pasture Summit is a farmer-led initiative focused on securing the future of pastoral dairy food production. Its events and activities bring together practical insights, shared experiences, and a strong sense of purpose. As a key partner, DairyNZ contributes funding, research-backed content, and experts to help farmers build resilient, profitable businesses and sustainable communities.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Want to make the most of your homegrown feed? This episode of Talking Dairy is a chance to catch up on what was shared at our recent Progressing Dairy events focused on maximising homegrown feed. If you couldn’t make it along – or want to hear another farmers’ and scientists’ perspective - this episode brings the event to you.
In this episode hosted by Area Manager Mattes Groenendijk, Waimakariri contract milkers Will and Sarah Gard share how they lifted pasture harvest and milk production by focusing on the basics. You’ll also hear how they plan their grazing rounds, manage residuals, and what tools they use to make informed decisions. DairyNZ’s Dawn Dalley talks about the science behind pasture allocation and mowing, while Sarah also shares insights from the DairyNZ Improved Forage Gains programme in her other job as Senior Project Manager and Programme Lead.
Links to information mentioned in this episode:
Find an event near you - DairyNZ Progressing Dairy events
DairyNZ Resilient Pastures Programme
Pasture fundamentals - DairyNZ information
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Milk price forecasts are holding steady, but costs remain high. What does that mean for your bottom line this season? DairyNZ economist Ben Marmont unpacks the latest Econ Tracker update and what watch for in the months ahead.
For more information:
DairyNZ Economic Tracker tool Access here
Article: Dairy sector outlook remains steady Read more
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Owning a dairy farm is still one of the biggest aspirations people hold. In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with Blair Robinson from Dairy Holdings and Tony Finch from DairyNZ about what a pathway to farm ownership looks like in 2025. Hear what sets those are successful apart from the rest and inspiring stories of farmers who have recently turned their goal into reality.
Read or listen to the latest Inside Dairy story mentioned in this episode:
Inside Dairy - Lessons along the way to landing the dream | DairyNZ
Links to information mentioned in this episode:
Business - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Dairy Holdings Limited | Home
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Can a small amount of plantain in pasture really reduce nitrogen loss on-farm? New research from trials at Lincoln and Massey Universities suggests it can, and the results might surprise you. Kate Fransen shares the latest findings from DairyNZ’s Plantain Potency and Practice Programme and an update on what’s working, how farmers are using it effectively, and what’s next for the programme.
Find out more about this research programme: Plantain Potency and Practice Programme - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Read the latest news story on this research: Latest plantain trial results again show role in reducing nitrogen leaching | DairyNZ
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Why is it that some workplaces seem to flow better than others? In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ researchers Dr Lucy Hall and Brian Dela Rue share insights on how time is used on-farm from 10 in-depth workplace productivity case studies across New Zealand. You’ll hear practical ways people are working smarter, not harder, and how small changes can free up time, boost productivity and keep business profitable. And, if you’re thinking of making some changes or fine-tuning operations, there’s also practical ideas and tips that could help.
For more information about this research, visit Research - Workplace Productivity | DairyNZ
Links to other information mentioned in this podcast:
- Productive workplaces | DairyNZ
- Creating a productive workplace | DairyNZ
- Workplace Efficiency Booster: a 6-step challenge | DairyNZ
- Inside Dairy - Understanding on-farm workplace productivity drivers | DairyNZ
- Building a high-performing farm team | Ep. 102 | DairyNZ
- MilkSmart - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Tune into Talking Dairy in 10 for bite-size conversations.
In this update about the International Precision Dairy Farming Conference, host Jac McGowan chats with DairyNZ Head of Science, Nicolas Lyons. They unpack what precision dairy farming really means, why this global event is a big deal for New Zealand, and how technology can make farming easier, more efficient, and sustainable. Hear about the world-class speakers, on-farm tours, and why this is a must-attend event for farmers who want to future-proof their business.
For more information and to register, go to precisiondairyfarmingconference.nz
Early bird fees up until Friday 17 October and discounted rates are available for NZ dairy levy payers.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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What’s going to improve our water quality and keep enabling productivity? In this episode, we discuss practical and proven solutions from key catchments.
Johan van Ras, Ron Pellow and Justin Kitto share what’s worked, from stream planting and edge-of-field mitigations to simple farm system changes that reduce nitrogen loss. You’ll hear how farmers, iwi and communities made progress together through the Sustainable Catchments programme, and how you can apply the same ideas on your farm.
The Sustainable Catchments programme was funded by investment from the Ministry for the Environment’s Jobs for Nature programme and dairy farmers via the DairyNZ levy.
You can also read the story of their success finding solutions on page 8 & 9 in the Inside Dairy August-October 2025 edition: Practical solutions for catchments
Links to information mentioned in this episode:
Riparian planting - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Waimea catchment | DairyNZ
South Canterbury Catchment | DairyNZ
Monitoring water quality in catchments | DairyNZ
Stream ecosystem health | DairyNZ
Low N Systems | DairyNZ
Catchment Group Support | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Tune into Talking Dairy in 10 for bite-size conversations.
As we’re nearing the end of Biosecurity Awareness Month, DairyNZ experts Fi Roberts and Mitch Cooper join us to answer some common questions about biosecurity. Find out about practical tips for protecting your farm this spring, how prepared is NZ for biosecurity incursions, what are we keeping an eye on overseas, and how farmer voices are influencing biosecurity policy.
DairyNZ’s Strong Biosecurity Systems Programme aims to strengthen industry-wide biosecurity.
Its 10-year sector ambition is for an integrated, science-based, and sustainably funded biosecurity system that reduces institutional fragmentation, improves coordination and ensures efficient investment of dairy farmer levies.
Links to information mentioned in this episode:
Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously today | DairyNZ
Biosecurity - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Visitor biosecurity management - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Biosecurity resources and tools | DairyNZ
Your levy - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Regional rules might feel like they’re made a long way from the farm gate – yet they directly affect how you farm every day. From nutrient limits to land use rules, the decisions made at your regional council table can change what you can and can’t do on-farm.
In this episode, you’ll hear from some of DairyNZ’s regional policy team – David Cooper, Carina Ross, and Shaun Hazelton – on the big changes happening in policy right now and why your voice matters in these processes.
Hear how DairyNZ is collaborating and working for dairy farmers to make sure rules are informed by research and grounded in reality, and how that protects your ability to farm productively and sustainably into the future.
Since we recorded this episode, there’s been a win for farmers on two issues that DairyNZ has been advocating behind the scenes on:
1. More common-sense rules for low-risk activities
The government has changed the Resource Management Act so regional councils can set rules that let some low-risk farm activities go ahead without needing a consent, as long as they still help improve water quality over time. This means councils like Waikato and Southland can follow through on their original plans to keep things simple for low-risk activities, instead of farmers getting caught in unnecessary red tape.
2. Breathing space for Otago water permits
In Otago, some water permits will now be automatically extended for five more years. They’ve also removed rules around certain discharges that simply couldn’t be put into practice. This takes pressure off until the new regional plan is in place – meaning farmers can keep operating without being stuck in limbo.
Why it matters
These changes are a direct result of ongoing advocacy from DairyNZ and others. They give farmers more certainty, reduce paperwork, and mean the rules better reflect the realities on-farm – all while keeping the focus on improving water quality for the long term.
For more information about DairyNZ’s advocacy work for dairy farmers, visit these links:
Our policy and advocacy work for farmers | DairyNZ
Resource management reform | DairyNZ
Regional freshwater advocacy - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Tune into Talking Dairy in 10 for bite-size conversations.
This episode brings you an update about DairyNZ’s recent submission on the National Freshwater Framework under the Resource Management Act reform. DairyNZ’s Principal Policy Advisor, David Cooper, joins us to share what we said, why, and what it could mean for your farm.
Read more about our work on freshwater policy reform for farmers
View the submission
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Can your farm be both high profit and low in emissions intensity? What are the top-performing farms doing differently – and what can you learn from them?
This episode of Talking Dairy explores new research that reveals how some of New Zealand’s most profitable dairy farms are also achieving lower greenhouse gas emissions intensity. It’s part of the Emissions and Profitability Project – a joint effort between DairyNZ, DairyBase, Fonterra and LIC – based on data from around 8,000 farms.
Host Jac McGowan is joined by Mark Neal, Head of Data Science and Modelling from DairyNZ and Louise Cook, Programme Manager (Environmental) from Fonterra’s On-Farm Excellence team, to unpack what the data shows, where the opportunities are, and what it all means for your farm.
With international customers and milk processors increasingly focused on this metric, this research highlights how a balanced, homegrown approach can deliver results – both financially and environmentally.
Useful tools and resources:
- Emissions and Profitability Project | DairyNZ
- Business - DairyBase | DairyNZ
- Reproduction and mating | DairyNZ
- Feed fundamentals | DairyNZ
- Less methane | DairyNZ
- Climate - Managing GHG emissions | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re talking about pasture – the foundation of New Zealand farming.
Farmers in the upper North Island have been noticing changes for a while now: pastures that don’t last as long, more pests, and weather that’s harder to predict. These challenges are backed up by DairyNZ data that shows pasture growth in Northland and Waikato has dropped by up to one tonne of dry matter per hectare each decade.
To help solve this problem, a new sector-wide research initiative led by DairyNZ was launched in June 2025 - called Resilient Pastures. The goal? Work with farmers to find tools and practical solutions for pasture species, seed mixes, and management practices that can stand up to these changes now and into the future. And for these solutions to be able to be adopted on all types of farms around the country.
Host Jac McGowan talks to Senior Scientist Dr Elena Minnee from DairyNZ and Jim Inglis from research partner Beef + Lamb NZ Strategy and Operations about:
- Why this programme exists and why it’s starting in the North
- The challenges farmers are facing
- How research, farmer experience and government funding are working together
- What the programme will do for farmers over the next seven years
- How the results will save costs and add value wherever you farm in New Zealand
The discussion highlights the significance of pasture in New Zealand's farming systems and the collaborative efforts to ensure sustainable and profitable farming practices.
To learn more about the Resilient Pastures research programme, visit Resilient Pastures Programme | DairyNZ
Funding partners
- Ministry for Primary Industries, through the Primary Sector Growth Fund
- DairyNZ
- Beef+Lamb New Zealand
- TR Ellet Agricultural Research Trust
- Barenbrug
- Fonterra
- Hine Rangi Trust
- Northland Dairy Development Trust
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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More farmers are investing in wearable technology to help manage heat detection and ease pressure on skilled people during a busy time on-farm. But do these devices improve reproductive performance – an important factor regularly considered in return on investment calculations?
In this episode, Jac McGowan speaks with DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards and CowSmart vet and co-founder Line Ferriman. Together, they break down new independent research that compares reproduction results from herds using wearables and those that don’t.
The study shows farmers using wearable tech are adopting new mating approaches like extended or all-AB periods. But does the data show performance gains as well? Listen in to hear about the findings and interesting insights from this research.
For more information:
- Inside Dairy story: A closer look at wearable technology | DairyNZ
- DairyNZ information: Automated heat detection | DairyNZ
- DairyNZ Technology and Workplace Practices Survey: Milking Practices and Technology Use | DairyNZ
- CowSmart: CowSmart - Animal Monitoring Data Consultancy
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we cover strategies that help create high-performing dairy teams. You’ll hear from Jane Muir, DairyNZ Senior People Specialist, and Fiona Langford, who, along with her husband Thomas, are the 2025 Share Farmers of the Year at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards. They share how great leadership, clear communication, and smart planning make all the difference on-farm.
Fiona shares how they run their year-round operation with multiple employees, and how they focus on culture, wellbeing and development to keep their people happy and productive. Jane brings insights from the latest DairyNZ Employee Survey and tools like the refreshed Workplace 360 to help you lead with confidence.
Whether you’re bringing new employees on or wondering about what you could do to improve your workplace environment, this episode will leave you with practical ideas and plenty of inspiration.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Try the updated Workplace 360 assessment - see what’s working well and what to improve.
- Sign up for a free CalvingSmart workshop with Dairy Training - practical, short sessions happening nationwide in June and July.
- Check out Dairy Training’s Emerging Leadership course - help your next leaders step up on-farm.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
What does it take to breed a high performing herd - now and into the future?
Earlier this year, DairyNZ and Fonterra co-hosted a series of on-farm events focused on lifting genetic gain through better breeding decisions. One of those events was held at Clovalley Farms, run by Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson in South Taranaki. Now, we’re bringing that conversation to you.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, hosted by DairyNZ Taranaki Area Manager Talissa Squire, Donovan and Sophie share how they’ve built a herd that ranks in the top 1% nationally for Breeding Worth (BW). They explain how they’ve applied DairyNZ’s 'Five ways to a high BW herd' in a way that fits their farm, their values and their goals.
They talk openly about what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what they’ve learned along the way.
Whether you're just starting out with genetics or already fine-tuning your approach, this is a must-listen for any farmer wanting to breed a better herd.
Listen now to learn how to make smarter breeding decisions, improve genetic gain in your herd, and future-proof your business.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Breeding Worth - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Tools - Animal Herd Averages | DairyNZ
- Bull Search - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Bull Team - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) | DairyNZ
- InCalf reproduction gap calculator - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Ever wondered how New Zealand dairy became world-class? In this special 100th episode, we go behind the scenes of the science and farmer-led innovation that made it happen.
Join host Jac McGowan as she chats with DairyNZ’s Chief Science Advisor Bruce Thorrold and Chief Executive Campbell Parker. Together, they look back at the science, smarts, and farmer-led research that helped turn a tough industry into a global success.
You’ll learn how NZ dairy farmers went from milking on average 147 cows in the ‘80s to becoming the most efficient milk producers in the world. More importantly, you’ll get a glimpse of what’s coming next.
Whether you've been farming for years or you're just getting started, this episode will leave you proud to be part of the New Zealand dairy story.
More information
History of your levy investment | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Are you ready to ride the global economic rollercoaster - and come out stronger?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, you’ll hear from two of New Zealand’s top economists, Brad Olsen and Cameron Bagrie. They’ll break down what’s happening in global trade and explain what it means for your dairy farm.
From rising tensions between the US and China, to big changes in shipping, and Fonterra’s next moves - this is the stuff that shapes your business.
You’ll find out how global politics are changing trade and why the world feels less predictable than it used to. You’ll hear smart ways to protect your farm’s future and get practical tips for managing risk in tough times.
Want more? This episode is just a warm-up for what’s coming at the 2025 DairyNZ Farmers’ Forum.
Listen now and then check out Farmers’ Forum 2025 to register for an event near you.
More information:
Farmers Forum - Dairy's Future. The here and how.
DairyNZ’s signature event for 2025, held in three locations:
- Hamilton – 27 May
- Ashburton – 17 June
- Invercargill – 2 July
It’s your chance to not only look ahead, but to see what it will take to shape the future of dairy.
Thought leaders in global trade, dairy exports, economic developments, technology and consumer demands will join forces with forward-thinking innovative farmers.
For more information on the programme, speakers, and to register, go to: Farmers’ Forum 2025 - DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Wondering how to meet like-minded people or take the next step in your ag career? Want to feel part of something bigger than just your day-to-day job? You’re not alone - and there is a way to build your network, grow your skills, and find your place in the sector.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re exploring the power of community and how NZ Young Farmers is helping young people in the ag sector feel supported, connected, and inspired.
We’re joined by Waikato farmer Robin Buser, who made a move from corporate life to dairy farming - and found his “farming family” through NZ Young Farmers. He shares how saying yes to joining a club changed the game for him, both personally and professionally.
Also with us is Lynda Coppersmith, CEO of NZ Young Farmers, who reflects on how the organisation has evolved to support the next generation and why partnerships - like the one with DairyNZ - are key to building a stronger future for dairy.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- How Robin built confidence, community, and direction through his local NZ Young Farmers club
- What NZ Young Farmers is doing to support today’s young people in ag
- Why joining NZ Young Farmers can be a win for both employees and employers
- What’s next for NZ Young Farmers
- Why now is the perfect time to get involved
Whether you’re just starting out, keen to grow your leadership skills, or looking to back the next wave of talent - this episode is for you.
Find out more about NZ Young Farmers
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
When it comes to herd improvement, it’s easy to focus on high heritability traits like milk production and liveweight - where the gains are faster and more visible. But what about the traits that take time?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan and Dr Rhiannon Hancock, a scientist at NZ Animal Evaluation, talk about why low heritability traits deserve a place in your breeding strategy – especially if you’re playing the long game.
Rhiannon explains how even small genetic gains in these areas can build over time, leading to big wins for herd productivity and long-term profitability.
Find out:
- Why heritability matters
- Why slow progress is still real progress
- Practical tips for long-term herd improvement
Listen for the full story behind the science.
This episode was inspired by the myth-busting story in the Feb-April edition of Inside Dairy – available at dairynz.co.nz/inside-dairy
Resources for more information on this topic:
Is focusing on low-heritability traits valuable when making breeding decisions? | DairyNZ
Animal - Breeding Decisions | DairyNZ
Breeding Worth | DairyNZ
Bull Search | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
New Zealand dairy farmers are making great progress in reducing antibiotic use at dry-off - but how do we keep that momentum going? With antimicrobial resistance on the rise, selective dry cow therapy has become an important tool for protecting both herd health and the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics. The key is making smart, informed decisions that safeguard milk quality while keeping cows healthy.
In this episode, we’re joined by Mitch Cooper, a Veterinarian and DairyNZ’s Senior Technical & Policy Advisor, and Veronica Oostveen, a Southland dairy farmer and DairyNZ Area Manager. They break down the latest research and share practical strategies to help you:
- Use data to make smarter treatment decisions
- Cut antibiotic use without compromising cow health
- Manage dry-off risks effectively
- Apply proven strategies that have dropped somatic cell counts
Veronica shares how selective dry cow therapy has improved her herd’s health and performance, and Mitch explains why responsible antibiotic use matters for our future.
Tune in for the latest research and insights.
Find the DairyNZ tools and resources mentioned in this episode:
Dry cow strategies | DairyNZ
dairynz-guideline-14-dry-cow-strategy.pdf
dairynz-technote-14-dry-cow-strategy.pdf
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
It’s been a season of shifting gears. We started with high costs and cautious optimism, but as the months rolled on, things began looking up - better milk prices, easing interest rates, and a bit more breathing room financially. But what does that actually mean for your farm? And, more importantly, how can you make the most of it?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we take a close look at how the season has played out and what’s on the horizon. Mark Storey, Head of Economics at DairyNZ, and Paul Bird, Senior Business Specialist , break down the key trends shaping farm finances right now. They unpack why this $10 payout isn’t quite a record in real terms, and why it’s important to invest extra income wisely.
We also discuss the challenges still at play, including dry conditions in many regions and what that means for feed and milk production. With farmers feeling more positive about the future, we look at what’s driving that confidence and what risks - both locally and internationally - could shake things up next season.
With a new season just around the corner, now is the time to be thinking ahead. What financial moves should you be making? How can you set your farm up to stay resilient, no matter what’s coming? Tune in to find out.
Find the DairyNZ business tools mentioned in this episode:
All DairyNZ business tools
Cashflow budget tools for different suppliers
DairyNZ Economic Tracker tool
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
You put a lot of care into your cows, so it’s only natural to want the best for them - even when they leave the farm. But do you know what happens once they’re on the truck? And are you confident they’re set up for a smooth journey?
In this episode, we’re talking about simple, practical ways to help your cull cows travel well. Dr. Stacey Hendriks and Penny Timmer-Arends share three key things that make a big difference. They also explain what happens beyond the farm gate and why good preparation matters.
Transport can be tough on cows, but with a few easy steps, you can help them arrive in good shape. Tune in to hear what farmers are already doing and pick up some practical tips to make transport easier on your cows.
Useful links
Transporting stock | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Looking for fresh ideas to boost productivity on your farm? Want to build a strong, high-performing team without adding more hours to your day? The People Expo is back, packed with insights to help you create a farm workplace that runs smoothly and delivers results.
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we talk to event partner Dairy Women’s Network CEO Jules Benton and leading economist and key speaker Shamubeel Eaqub. Jules shares what’s in store, why these expos are a must-attend for farmers who employ people, and how they can benefit your farm business. Shamubeel gives a sneak peek at the big-picture workforce trends shaping dairy businesses and what they mean for your farm.
With four events across March and April, this is your chance to gain insights, get inspired, and walk away with practical ideas to put into action. Listen in now, then make sure you get along to a People Expo near you. Events are free, lunch is provided, and registrations are essential—visit dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo to sign up today.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Missed DairyNZ’s recent on-farm events about building a productive workplace for on-farm efficiency? This episode of Talking Dairy brings the highlights to you. Hosted by Central Waikato Area Manager Willie McKnight, this podcast replicates the insights and discussions shared during the events, making it easy to catch up if you couldn’t make along it to one.
Willie is joined by Tauwhare sharemilker Gillian Bunnik and DairyNZ scientist Brian Dela Rue to explore how technology and data are transforming farm operations. Gillian shares their experience adopting technology on-farm, while Brian provides the latest insights from research and practical advice on using data to boost productivity and workplace efficiency.
If you’re looking for ways to future-proof your farm or simply curious about what’s driving innovation in the dairy sector, this episode is for you.
Find an upcoming DairyNZ on-farm event
Useful links:
Technology in the workplace | DairyNZ
Milking Practices and Technology Use | DairyNZ
Workplace Productivity Study | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Welcome to the third and final Talking Dairy summer yarn. In this bonus episode, we revisit the Contract Milking 101 episode with ag consultant Brendon Attrill and contract milker Rachael Foy. In this moment, they discuss why understanding cows, compliance, and pasture management is crucial before starting contract milking. They also discuss how to negotiate contracts and assess financial viability. If you're already contract milking or intending to go sometime soon, find out how the DairyNZ Contract Milking Premium Calculator and Dairy Training’s free short courses including the Contract Milking course can help set you up for success.
Listen to the full episode here: Contract milking 101 | Ep. 37 | DairyNZ
Links:
Contract Milking Premium Calculator | DairyNZ
Contract milking | DairyNZ
Find a Dairy Training course
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Welcome to the second of our Talking Dairy summer yarns. In this bonus episode, we revisit the most downloaded episode of 2024 where Dr. Paul Edwards and Kent Weston-Arnold share fresh insights on new milking frequency trends and the rise of once-a-day milking in early lactation. They explain why more farmers are trying it, the regional differences, and the common reasons for this shift. You’ll also learn how it impacts farm operations and what to consider before trying once-a-day or flexible milking yourself.
Listen to the full episode here: New milking frequency trends and the impact of OAD in early lactation | Ep.84 | DairyNZ
For more information, visit: Early lactation once-a-day (OAD) milking | DairyNZ
General flexible milking tools and resources:
- Flexible milking | DairyNZ
- Milking time planner | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Welcome to the first of our Talking Dairy summer yarns. In this bonus episode, we revisit a moment from the inspiring story of Emma Walton, a young contract milker from Waikato. Hear how dairy farming not only saved her life but also gave her purpose and strength. Emma shares her top strategies for coping with stress and why she thinks farming is more than just a job.
Listen to the full episode here: 'Dairy farming saved my life' | DairyNZ
Support resources and links:
Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ0800 787 254
Farmstrong
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE)
Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
Samaritans 0800 726 666
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
What’s your game plan when pasture growth slows down or a dry spell hits? Do you know which supplement will give you the best value for money? And how do you balance cost and risk when planning for the future?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ’s Mark Williams, and Rakaia dairy farmer, Enda Hawe, discuss how to choose the right supplements for your circumstances. They cover the concept of marginal milk and how it can be used to ensure your feed strategy is financially sound. And they discuss the how to make the most of DairyNZ’s Supplement Price Calculator and the FeedChecker to guide decision making.
Find out what steps you can take now to minimise the impact of future feed shortages.
Find out more:
Summer Smarts | DairyNZ
Summer management - DairyNZ
Supplement Price Calculator - DairyNZ
FeedChecker calculator - DairyNZ
Using supplementary feeds profitably - DairyNZ Facts and Figures
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In Episode 90 of Talking Dairy, we’re joined by Tracy Brown, the new Chair of DairyNZ.
Tracy is a proud advocate for farmers and rural communities, bringing years of hands-on experience and leadership to the role.
In this episode, Tracy shares her inspiring journey in the dairy sector and her vision for the future of New Zealand’s world-leading dairy sector. Hear how she plans to steer DairyNZ to deliver greater value for farmers.
Read more about Tracy Brown, DairyNZ Chair
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Do we really know the cost of lameness? And more importantly, what can we do to stop it? In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan speaks with Winston Mason, a Veterinarian and Epidemiologist at EpiVets, and Frank Portegys, Senior Area Manager at DairyNZ for the King Country region. They cover the common causes of lameness, the direct and indirect costs, and effective strategies for reducing its impact. Find out what the early signs of lameness are and why quick action can make all the difference.
Tools and resources:
- Identifying lame cows - DairyNZ
- Lameness Scoring Shed Poster
- Healthy Hoof video
- Find a Healthy Hoof Provider - DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we cover recent financial shifts that have farmers feeling cautiously optimistic. Over the past few seasons, dairy farmers have been grappling with high costs, increasing interest rates, and unexpected drops in milk price forecasts. But with improvements in the forecast milk price and the cost of borrowing starting to ease, could there be brighter times ahead?
Joining us are Mark Storey, Head of Economics, and Mark Speight, Farm Systems Specialist at DairyNZ. They break down what these financial changes mean for your farm’s bottom line and discuss how farmers can balance input costs with sustainable profitability. Plus, we’ll hear insights into the impact of extreme weather on farm systems, how regions like Southland are coping with a tough spring, and strategies to future-proof farms for the seasons ahead.
Whether you’re looking to understand the financial landscape or explore practical tips on resilience, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you navigate the current season and beyond.
Access tools and resources:
- Budgeting resources and templates
- View the Econ Tracker
Disclaimer: The content in this podcast includes general commentary on market trends. It should not be considered as investment advice. Certain transactions, such as those involving futures, options, and high-yield securities, carry significant risks and may not be appropriate for all investors. We advise seeking independent legal or financial guidance before making any investment decisions.
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
Campbell Parker has been leading DairyNZ for a year as Chief Executive. So, what’s his take on the state of New Zealand dairy? And what are his plans for the challenges dairy farmers face now and in the future?
In episode 87 of Talking Dairy, Campbell shares how his commercial experience is helping him bring fresh ideas to DairyNZ. He talks about his first year leading the organisation, managing change, and working closely with farmers to make sure their voices are heard. From research and science to policy and advocacy, Campbell explains how DairyNZ is sharpening its focus and progressing a positive future for New Zealand dairy farming.
Useful resources:
- DairyNZ Strategy
- The DairyNZ AGM is being held on 22 October. Find out more: DairyNZ Directors Election and AGM | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
Connect with DairyNZ
Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges on farm – mastitis. What should you do if your herd test shows high somatic cell count (SCC) cows? How do you find and manage those “invisible” subclinical cases? Our guests, Mike Shallcrass, Fonterra’s Veterinary programme manager, and Jane Lacy-Hulbert, DairyNZ Senior scientist, discuss and share practical tips on monitoring, managing, and minimising mastitis. Tune in to hear expert advice and insights on how to prevent mastitis and improve milk quality.
Mastitis management tools and resources:
Mastitis | DairyNZ
Contagious Mastitis | DairyNZ
Environmental Mastitis | DairyNZ
DairyNZ Healthy Udder Shed Guide
DairyNZ Staph aureus Factsheet
MaxT in the rotary | DairyNZ
MaxT in the herringbone | DairyNZ
AgriHealth cowshed chart
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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LinkedIn
In Episode 85 of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan chats with Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ’s Chief Science Advisor, about gene technologies in relation to the dairy sector. With the New Zealand Government updating its laws on gene technology, Bruce explains what this could mean for farmers, from reducing environmental impact to increasing productivity. He also discusses the opportunities and risks, and shares the questions which are top of mind for dairy farmers as this topic comes back into focus. This episode provides a clear and balanced look at how gene technologies could shape the future of dairy farming in New Zealand.
For more information about this topic
DairyNZ webinar for dairy farmers:
Shaping the future: New Zealand’s gene technology reform
For the first time in over 20 years, New Zealand’s gene technology laws are getting a major overhaul. Greater access to gene technologies presents both opportunities and risks for the dairy sector. Join DairyNZ in this webinar to explore how these reforms could impact farmers in the future and how you can participate in this important government process.
Available on two dates:
- Monday 14 October 2024, 11.30am-12.30pm. Register here
- Tuesday 15 October 2024, 7pm-8pm. Register here
Resources:
- Gene technologies | DairyNZ
- Opinion: Gene technologies - time for a change - NZ Herald
- DairyNZ engaging with farmers as Govt moves to update gene technology rules
- Gene technology regulation | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment
- Pasture biotechnology: Breeding for a better future - AgResearch
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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LinkedIn
What milking frequency trends are emerging across different regions? What factors are driving the adoption of once-a-day (OAD) milking in early lactation? And what are the pros and cons?
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re joined by Dr. Paul Edwards, Senior Scientist and Kent Weston-Arnold, Area Manager for North-West Waikato, from DairyNZ. Find out about new insights on milking frequency and regional trends, plus hear about the experiences of some farmers who have been using OAD milking in early lactation this season.
As calving season continues across the country, this discussion offers advice for those considering OAD milking in early lactation next season. Tune in to discover the pros and cons, hear some farmers stories, and get practical tips to help you decide if it could be the right move for your farm system.
For more information, visit: Early lactation once-a-day (OAD) milking | DairyNZ
General flexible milking tools and resources:
- Flexible milking | DairyNZ
- Milking time planner | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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How can your actions during calving impact success at mating? In this episode of Talking Dairy, we talk about reproduction and look at what actions during calving can impact success at mating time. We’re joined by Katrina Roberts, Herd Health Vet at Anexa Veterinary Services, InCalf training provider and the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, and Rex Butterworth, a Waikato dairy farm owner and rural real estate agent. Katrina discusses the herd fertility cake concept and what the key ingredients are to focus on between calving and mating. Rex shares how applying these principles has improved his farm's in-calf rates and productivity with great results.
For more information, visit:
- Reproduction and mating - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- InCalf Training - DairyNZ | DairyNZ
- Find out more about the herd fertility cake concept in The InCalf book: the-incalf-book.pdf (dairynz.co.nz)
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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In this episode of Talking Dairy, we cover the important topic of preventing down cows during the calving period and providing essential care and recovery for those that do go down. Join our host Jac McGowan and guest Mitch Cooper, a veterinarian and DairyNZ’s Senior Technical and Policy Advisor, as they talk about strategies, share insights and practical advice.
Mitch, who brings a decade of experience as a dairy vet in Waikato, shares his expertise on prevention, early signs to look out for, and practical steps for treatment, care and recovery.
More information:
Down cow care | DairyNZ
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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On this episode of Talking Dairy by DairyNZ, we sit down with Cam Henderson, a dairy farmer and farmer-elected board member of DairyNZ. Cam shares his journey from the farm to the boardroom, revealing the challenges and rewards and offering practical advice for anyone considering applying for a role on the board this year at DairyNZ.
If you're looking to make a meaningful impact on the future of the dairy sector, this episode is a must-listen. Nominations are now open, click here to find out more and apply: DairyNZ Directors Election
Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz
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Welcome to Episode 80 of Talking Dairy. Winter can be challenging on dairy farms, and knowing what cows need during these cold, wet months is crucial for their health and productivity. In this episode, we are excited to have Dawn Dalley, a Senior Scientist at DairyNZ, sharing her wealth of experience and insights gained from over 15 years of research on managing cows in winter conditions.
Dawn talks about the challenges cows face in wet winter conditions and the key findings from extensive research on paddock-based wintering. She covers essential topics like grazing direction, critical source area protection, having a contingency plan, and why pugging depth might not be the best indicator of cow comfort. Dawn also highlights surprising results, some good management practices, and practical advice for caring for cows during extended wet weather.
Whether you’re from Southland or another part of the country, Dawn's expert advice and the improvements seen across New Zealand will provide you with actionable insights to enhance your wintering practices. This episode is packed with tips and strategies to ensure your cows thrive in winter, empowering you to make informed decisions for your herd's wellbeing.
Websites:
Cow care in winter | DairyNZ
Best practice tips on wintering | DairyNZ
Tools and Resources:
Download DairyNZ Poster: Managing cows during winter grazing
Download DairyNZ Template: Your Winter Grazing Plan
Download DairyNZ Guide: Improving your wintering system
Check out our other Talking Dairy Podcasts on Wintering:
What's next for wintering? | Ep. 10 | DairyNZ
Wintering – not just a Southland issue | Ep. 28 | DairyNZ
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we dive into the topic of ongoing water quality improvement efforts by the dairy sector with Aslan Wright-Stow, Senior Manager - Science at DairyNZ. Aslan shares valuable insights on the sectors’ commitments, the progress made, measured benefits and the scientific advancements that are improving water quality management and decision making.
Links:
Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord
Waterbodies and wetlands
Talking Dairy Ep 73: Monitoring waterway health
Talking Dairy Ep 71: Water quality research update
Catchment group support
How do you benchmark your farm systems and performance within the sector? DairyBase enables you to better understand your farm system and its performance, by comparing KPIs (key performance indicators) and determining what is working well, then identifying opportunities for improvement. 20% of New Zealand farms contribute to DairyBase which offers two types of benchmarking – the business’s financial performance and the farm’s physical aspects, and compares them to industry standards or targets. Joining us for this episode to discuss everything DairyBase is DairyNZ DairyBase operations manager Jodie Goudswaard and dairy farmer Therese Earls.
Notes:
If you would like to learn more about DairyBase or register, please follow this link.
Injuries are commonplace on farm, ACC shares that 40% of farm injuries are from a sprain or strain and most of these occur between August to October, aligning with spring calving for a lot of farmers. In this episode we talk to DairyNZ Senior Scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and QCONZ CEO Chris Leach about a joint project between ACC and DairyNZ. Callum and Chris share the learnings from the project on reducing sprains and strains on farm, and what innovations have been developed to make jobs easier and safer over the calving season.
Notes:
Reducing Sprains and Strains is a three-year project, co-funded through the ACC Workplace Injury Prevention Grants Programme, with the aim to raise awareness of common injury risks and develop easy-to-implement solutions to reduce these injuries. The project will end mid-2024. Come and see the best ideas at Fieldays on the DairyNZ site and find out more on our website.
Animals are at the heart of every farming business. To support the sector in achieving high levels of animal welfare, DairyNZ has been interviewing farmers about their animal care practices for over a decade now. Join us as DairyNZ Lead Advisor Animal Care Penny Timmer-Arends and Animal Care Consult Contractor Hannah Fulton, talk to how the information from the consult is used to track changes in practice, inform extension activities and future research, and enlighten submissions to government when advocating for practical, outcome-based rules.
When it comes to breeding more efficient cows, why is genetic gain so important and how can NZAEL’s online tools help? Join us as we talk to Rhiannon Handcock DairyNZ’s NZAEL scientist and dairy farmer Michelle Burgess, about the latest in dairy genetics and animal evaluation.
Notes
NZAEL is the industry good organisation for genetics and animal evaluation. As a wholly owned subsidiary of DairyNZ, NZAEL operates independently to ensure that farmers' interests are represented, striving for world-leading genetic gain that make our national herd resilient, profitable, and globally competitive. Find out more.
View the Ranking of Active Sires
Build your Bull Team
Bull Search
When it comes to budgeting on farm and forecasting spend, how do others do this? Join us as we talk to Mark Storey DairyNZ’s Head of Economics and Louise Collingwood – a South Waikato farmer, about the latest economic insights and newly updated DairyNZ Econ Tracker tool.
When it comes to monitoring waterway health, what makes up a holistic assessment of stream health?
In this episode, we talk to DairyNZ Principal Scientist Dr. Craig Depree, who shares his approach on ecosystem health and what environmental factors influence freshwater management.
When it comes to leadership and motivating the next generation, how do others do this? Join us for part two of our people leadership series, as we talk Tawera Nikau a retired professional rugby league player, who is now farmer, businessman and community leader, and Tina Ngatai who sits on several boards across the agricultural and horticultural sectors, to hear their views on leadership and how they go about involving the next generation within the farming sector.
When it comes to improving water quality, what does best practice look like? And how do you invest in long-term solutions to meet changing regional regulations? Join us as we talk to DairyNZ Senior Water Quality Scientist Dr Katrina Macintosh and AgResearch Senior Scientist Dr Richard Muirhead about DairyNZ’s key research initiatives and how these projects can provide solutions to improve water quality.
Notes
Inside Dairy October-November 2023 (referenced at 6.37)
When it comes to managing a team, what does good leadership look like? And how do you invest in developing people when times are financially tough? In this people leadership series, we’re talking to different farm businesses across the country to get their perspectives on leading successful teams, and how to attract and retain the best talent. For this episode, we to talk to Southland share farmers Leo Panaligan and Hazel Baquita to understand their views on what makes up good leadership.
How do you take a break from the farm? This summer farmers across the country, of all ages and stages, are hitting the beach to head along to Surfing for Farmers sessions. DairyNZ is proud to come on board as Surfing for Farmers “Grassroots partner” to support farmers coming together off-farm to catch up, have fun and boost their health and wellbeing. We’re talking to Southland dairy farmers Rob Black and Katrina Thomas to share more about what Surfing for Farmers is all about. Rob tells us why he keeps coming back for more, and Katrina a Surfing for Farmers coordinator and involved Rural Support Trust, shares how farmers can get involved up and down the country.
Find out more at www.surfingforfarmers.com.
DairyNZ’s subsidiary NZAEL (New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited) has recently made a new fertility trait update – in this episode we’ll discuss what this change will mean and how it will benefit farmers. Our guests are Ee Cheng Ooi from Abacus Bio, vet and geneticist who worked with NZAEL to develop the new fertility estimated breeding value, NZAEL quantitative geneticist, Melissa Stephen, who recently completed her PhD on early-in-life predictors of an animal’s genetic merit for fertility, and Hayden Lawrence, South Taranaki dairy farmer, who shares the impact a more accurate Breeding Value will have on his farm business.
Read more about the latest from NZAEL on our website.
With NIWA’s prediction of an El Nino weather pattern and a high likelihood of a drier summer, how are farmers preparing? In today’s episode, we’re talking to dairy farmer Trevor Hamilton, who has dairy farm operations across the North and South Islands, and Kevin McKinley, DairyNZ regional partner in the Bay of Plenty. Trevor and Kevin will share their strategies for preparing for a dry summer including how to manage cow condition and pasture quality.
More information:
Summer management
Summer management plan template
Having more productive dairy workplaces can save hours, shorten the working day, and create more attractive workplaces. But what exactly is workplace productivity and how can we measure it? What practices and technologies are farmers using, and are they effective at improving productivity? DairyNZ’s Senior Scientist, Callum Eastwood and Research Engineer, Brian Dela Rue have been researching practices and technologies used to improve the productivity and efficiency of our dairy farm workplaces. In this episode they will share the findings of two recent studies on workplace productivity and farm tech adoption and give some practical advice on how to make some potential productivity gains in your workplace.
More information:
Workplace Productivity Study
Technology and Workplace Practices Survey 2023
Inside Dairy
What’s the best way to manage internal parasites in young dairy stock? Find out how worms limit production in calves, when to start drenching, how to choose the right drench – but importantly, why we need to focus on management factors other than drench. Our guests are Ginny Dodunski, Wormwise programme manager and vet, and Emma Poole, Wormwise facilitator, vet, farm owner and 2023 Young Farmer of the Year.
More information:
Wormwise.co.nz
Wormwise Facebook page
Heifer health
Video: Get the low-down from Emma on why it's oral drenches all the way for calves in their first year of life.
Many farmers are looking for ways to get better value from their pasture, get through NIWA’s predicted El Niño summer, and control on-farm costs. Could deferred grazing provide a solution for some farmers?
In this episode, you’ll get the low-down on this cheap and flexible form of pasture conservation. Our guests are DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Wendy Griffiths and Waikato farmer Ian Butler, who’s used deferred grazing on his farm. Ian is also a DairyNZ Extension Partner in the Waikato. Wendy and Ian will explain what deferred grazing is and when to use it, its pros and cons, and importantly, what the research tells us about this feed management strategy.
Visit our website to learn more about deferred grazing.
Canterbury sharemilker Glenn Jones joins us to talk about the options he’s used to reduce nitrogen losses on-farm. He discusses how successful it’s been, the challenges he’s faced along the way, what he’s learned, and his advice for other farmers. Glenn was one of the partner farmers in a DairyNZ project set up to help dairy farmers in the Selwyn catchment reduce their nitrogen losses by 30%, while maintaining profitability.
NotesSelwyn and Hinds - Meeting a Sustainable Future - DairyNZ
To coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re sharing the powerful story of Emma Walton, a young Waikato contract milker. Emma not only loves dairy farming, but says it saved her life. Find out why farming has been the key to her recovery, why she’s passionate about lifting mental wellbeing in the rural sector, how she copes with stress on the farm, her ambitions, and more.
NotesRural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)0800 787 254
Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well
Need to talk?
Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.
Lifeline
0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE)
Youthline
0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat.
Samaritans
0800 726 666
Farmer wellbeing - DairyNZ
Humankind: A Hopeful History: Amazon.com: Books
Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast
What do saloon doors and exosuits have to do with reducing injuries on dairy farms?
They’re among a range of practical ideas DairyNZ is trialling to help farmers avoid sprains and strains, particularly around calving time. Hear about the designs and prototypes, including a new easy-entry calf trailer and a flexible breast rail, from DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and Waikato dairy farmer Marcus Graham.
Notes
This project has been made possible through $900,000 of co-funding by ACC’s Workplace Injury Prevention programme, supported by a $150,000 investment by dairy farmers through the DairyNZ levy.
Learn more at dairynz.co.nz/sprains-strains
Other useful links:
- dairynz.co.nz/healthandsafety
- farmstrong.co.nz/course/preventing-accidents-and-injuries-version
How do we reduce methane emissions within our pasture-based farming system? And when will farmers have solutions ready to use on-farm?
In this episode, recorded at DairyNZ’s Lye Farm, you’ll hear about the options being tested by our scientists, including feeding methane inhibitors to calves from birth. DairyNZ principal scientist Dr Jane Kay and technical team leader Olivia Jordan take us on a walk around Lye Farm’s world-class research facilities, explain when you might start seeing solutions, and discuss other methane research being done across the sector.
Show notesLess methane - DairyNZ
Inside Dairy Aug-Sep 2023 - DairyNZ
Lye Farm - DairyNZ
With farmers’ profit margins under pressure and soils still very wet around the country, what are some steps you can take to make sure you’re spending your fertiliser dollar wisely? In this episode, hear solid advice from two legends of the fert industry: Dr Ants Roberts, chief scientist at Ravensdown, and Warwick Catto, science strategy manager at Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd. They cover soil testing (can you skip it?), the best time to apply nitrogen fertiliser and in what quantity, herbage tests, lime application, placement tools, effluent spreading, some specific strategies for wet soils, and much more.
What are the main things to consider before approaching the bank for backing to go into herd-owning sharemilking? Sian Mitchell, ANZ agri manager, explains how to get yourself into as strong a position as possible to secure the bank’s support. She also covers the loan approval process, how and why the bank takes security over the cows, GST loans, loan structures, coping with profit ups and downs, and more.
Notes
Sharemilking and contract milking arrangements - DairyNZ
Budgeting tools - DairyNZ
Buy Contracts (fedfarm.org.nz)
Business by the Numbers - Dairy Training
Progression Management - Dairy Training
Is herd-owning sharemilking in your sights? Already in a HOSM partnership? In this episode, pick up some fresh ideas for both farm owner and sharemilker on how to succeed in this popular business structure. Our guests are Waikato sharemilker Rachel Bunnik and Dairy Farms NZ CEO Craig McBeth, who discuss what they like about the agreement, how the financials work, common challenges, keeping the relationship sweet, doing your due diligence, and much more.
Show notes
Sharemilking and contract milking arrangements - DairyNZ
Budgeting tools - DairyNZ
Buy Contracts (fedfarm.org.nz)
Business by the Numbers - Dairy Training
Progression Management - Dairy Training
Rain, rain, rain. How are other dairy farmers managing their way through this exceptionally wet winter? Hear from Hauraki Plains farm owner John Garrett, Cambridge farm owner Marc Gascoigne, and Northland herd owning sharemilker Carl MacDonald, who explain how they're trying to minimise soil damage while still adequately feeding the cows. They discuss round lengths, cow comfort, team morale, mental health, lessons from previous wet winters, and more.
NotesWet weather management - DairyNZSpring Rotation Planner - DairyNZRural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)
Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well
Farmer wellbeing - DairyNZ
Our guests Matte Kirk and Kelly Dickey share their thoughts on mental wellness in the rural sector. Are farmers getting better at talking about how they’re feeling? Why is getting off the farm so important? How do Matte (former dairy farmer, Pioneer area manager) and Kelly (sharemilker, Rural Support Trust facilitator) stay in top form? The pair also talk about the great work of Surfing For Farmers, which they both help to run in Raglan, on Waikato's west coast.
LinksWhere to get help - DairyNZ
Surfing for Farmers
Farmer wellbeing - DairyNZ
Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)
Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well
Waikato farm owners Bryce Anderton and Aleisha Broomfield share how the current period of increased farm costs and high inflation is affecting them and how they’re coping. Speaking live at Fieldays 2023, Bryce and Aleisha talk about the impacts on their businesses, actions they’ve taken to maintain profitability, the role of cost control, advice for other farmers, and their go-to tools and resources.
Useful linksBudget Case Studies
Budgeting when inflation is high
Dairy operating profit
Dairy Training Business by the Numbers course
In today’s tight labour market, we need to ensure our dairy farm assistant jobs are attractive and competitive – but how? In this episode, find out about DairyNZ’s new tools to help farm employers know if their job role 'meets the market' and what factors could be tweaked to create a bigger pool of applicants. Our guests are DairyNZ’s Geoff Taylor and Pouarua Farms CEO Jenna Smith.
Useful linksKnow the Market project - DairyNZ
Job competitiveness calculator - DairyNZ
Our guests on this episode are Morrinsville farmer Johan van Ras, planting professional Antony Snodgrass, and DairyNZ’s Aslan Wright-Stow, Senior Manager – Environment.
Hear their perspectives on how to successfully undertake a planting project on the farm, including some common mistakes to avoid, tips on prep and maintenance, what we can learn from science and research, and what benefits (some unexpected) you’re likely to see.
Shownotes
Planting waterways - DairyNZ
DairyNZ Riparian Planner - DairyNZ
Native Planting Services - Koroneiki Developments
Waikato environment award winners, Johan and Kylie van Ras, hope to spur others into environmental action (linkedin.com)
Overwhelmed by workload pressure, self-doubt and a fear of what others expected of him, fifth generation farmer Sam Spencer-Bower stopped being able to function. It took six months before his wife – and Sir John Kirwan – helped convince him to get help.
In this episode, Sam kindly joins us to share his mental health journey: the underlying causes, learning to talk about it, the road to recovery, and the skills he’s developed to cope with the stresses of the job, so he can keep on enjoying dairy farming.
NotesWhere to get help - DairyNZ
Farmer wellbeing - DairyNZ
Inside Dairy - DairyNZ (see page 13 of June/July 2023 edition)
Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)
Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well
Rotorua farm owner Steve Holdem joins us to share his experience with Ecotain plantain: what’s worked well, what he and wife Paula have learned about maintaining it, and how it’s saving them from reducing their stocking numbers.
Also on the podcast is DairyNZ’s Kate Fransen, who’ll give a clear overview of what a decade’s research has taught us about plantain. New results show even better than expected leaching reductions can be achieved.
NotesPlantain - DairyNZ
DairyNZ Podcast: 'Plantain for production and environmental wins | Ep. 20'
Inside Dairy: pages 25-29 of June/July 2023 edition (goes live June 1)
Genetic gain contributes roughly $300m extra to the dairy sector every year, but it’s hard for the average farmer to see the benefit of genetic gain in their herd from one season to the next.
You might see an improvement in farm performance, but is that a result of better weather, better farm management, better genetics, or all of the above? So, how can you be confident that genetic gain and the Breeding Worth index actually work, and are worth investing your time and money into?
Hear DairyNZ's Bruce Thorrold discuss a confidence-building piece of research called the Holstein-Friesian Strain Trial. He also talks through the value of genomics and high-quality data, strengthening the fertility Breeding Worth, keeping up with our overseas competitors, and more.
For many of the biggest challenges facing Kiwi dairy farmers, the answers lie in solid, farm-tested research. So, what are the big focus areas for DairyNZ’s science team right now? What work is underway to give farmers the tools they need? And how do our scientists ensure new solutions are actually going to work well on-farm?
DairyNZ’s Bruce Thorrold and Bridget Maclean join us to answer those questions, as well as explaining who’s in the science team at DairyNZ, their proudest research achievements, and what research projects they’re most excited about.
NotesFarmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZ
Research - DairyNZ
Chapters1.47 – Who are Bridget and Bruce?
4.21 – Hot topics DairyNZ researchers are addressing
9.03 – Who are the scientists working on behalf of dairy farmers?
12.28 – Involving farmers; developing solutions that actually work
14.57 – Bruce’s proudest achievements
18.37 – Bridget’s highlights
19.50 – Changing the dairy job; nailing methane emissions
21.36 – Grill our scientists at Farmers’ Forum
What’s it like coming into the dairy sector with no experience? How can farm employers make it a softer landing for newbies and increase our chances of them succeeding and remaining in farming? What can we learn from seeing dairy farming through the eyes of a new employee?
Step on up John Gibson, who’s in his second season and has just taken on a 2IC role in Te Pahu, west of Hamilton. Hear John's story of leaving behind Government and retail work in Wellington for a new career in dairy farming. You’ll hear the good, the bad and the funny, as well as why he decided to make the lifestyle change. He shares his views on how we can make it a smoother transition for other newcomers.
NotesRecruitment - DairyNZ
GoDairy - DairyNZ
Chapters1.33 – John’s non-farming background
2.33 – Persuaded to go dairy farming
3.55 – First impressions, early mistakes, ‘farm common sense’
7.37 – Discovering a love for farming
9.03 – Biggest challenges: physical demands, new lifestyle, internet
12.04 – Why he stayed
14.59 – Thoughts on rural internet connectivity
16.53 – Another ‘newbie’ moment
18.18 – Goals, upskilling, working towards herd ownership
20.17 – Advice for farm employers
23.19 – Advice for people starting out in dairy farming
What might NZ dairy farming look like in 2030? What strategies and technologies could Kiwi farmers adopt to get ahead of our global competitors, like US mega-dairies?
DairyNZ researchers are on the case, seeking answers to those questions and more through an exciting project called Frontier Farms. It’s all about identifying the key challenges our farm systems need to address – and coming up with solutions – to remain globally competitive. Our guests in this episode are DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards, Perrin Ag managing director Lee Mathieson and Waikato dairy farmer Colin Hickey.
NotesFrontier Farms - DairyNZ
United States mega-dairies - DairyNZ
Inside Dairy April May edition - Inside Dairy - DairyNZ
Alternative milks podcast (Ep 43) DairyNZ Podcast - DairyNZ
Chapters01:25 – What Frontier Farms aims to achieve for farmers
02:54 – Intro to Colin
03:30 – How and why Colin’s involved in the project
04:30 – Lee’s role in Frontier Farms
05:15 – What is a ‘mega-dairy’?
6:05 – What advantages could US mega-dairies have over Kiwi farmers?
07:55 – How NZ dairy farms can better compete with mega-dairies
10:15 – Colin’s thoughts on US mega-dairies
11:10 – Flattening the labour demand: extended lactation, batch robotic milking
14:01 – Next competitors to be assessed; capitalising on our strengths
15:05 – How farmers can keep up with the research
16.26 – What Colin’s kids think the future of farming looks like
18:44 – NZ dairy needs to keep pushing the boundaries
20.07 – Learning from what doesn’t work, as well as what does
Covid-19, the Ukraine War and extreme weather events have created ongoing disruption globally and locally, with knock-on effects for New Zealand’s dairy sector. So, what can we expect in the coming seasons with farm costs, interest rates, labour supply and demand for dairy? What are the challenges and opportunities for farmers to be thinking about? And what are some emerging trends that could affect dairy farming?
Our guests in this episode are DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey and foresight practitioner Melissa Clark-Reynolds, who bring some great insights and food for thought. Melissa is one of the speakers at DairyNZ’s 2023 Farmers’ Forum events, which will have a strong focus on science and research. Visit Farmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZ for details.
Notes
- Farmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZ
- Melissa Clark-Reynolds – Signals from the Future (BOMA webinar, 14.2.23)
- Melissa Clark-Reynolds – learning from NZ Primary Sector Unicorns (BOMA conference, 2020)
- Mark Storey – Managing cost pressures in an uncertain environment (Fieldays interview)
- Managing a profit squeeze (Talking Dairy podcast Eps. 41 and 42)
- DairyNZ cyclone response: advice, tools and resources
- DairyNZ decision tree for flood-affected farms
Chapters01:40 – Melissa's role as a foresight practitioner and her skill in recognising patterns
04:00 – Spotting trends before they emerge
08:09 – ‘Pandemic century’, our post-Covid situation, Russo-Ukraine War’s impact, demand for protein
14:05 – How much dairy farmers should be thinking about these global changes, and what can they do on-farm
16:02 – Cost pressures, rising interest rates, forecast farm working expenses
17:18 – Fertiliser prices being pushed up by Russo-Ukraine War
17:55 – A mixed picture: rising interest rates, but lower dairy debt levels
19:55 – Post-Covid-19 challenges, recovery and reasons for optimism
25:40 – A long way to go until we’re out of ‘Post-Covid recovery’ phase
28:20 – Cyclone Gabrielle’s impact on NZ’s total dairy production, infrastructure, wellbeing
29:54 – Building our resilience to extreme weather events
35:37 – Reasons for farmers to be excited; good news stories; challenges of other products; opportunities to improve total return to farm (not just milk)
It’s been an incredibly tough time for farmers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. For many, the recovery will be long and challenging. We thought it would be helpful to hear from one farmer who’s been through something similar and can talk about what the recovery looked like.
Dean Bailey was sharemilking in Manawatu when, in February 2004, a devastating flooding event left his farm submerged beneath two metres of water. It was six months before they were milking cows again on the farm. Dean will talk about how the recovery unfolded, the importance of good communication, rallying together as a community, and taking it one day at a time.
Michelle Greaves, a Regional Partner in DairyNZ’s Lower North Island Team, also joins us to talk about DairyNZ’s role in the response and recovery, and provide advice on how farmers can prepare for the seasons ahead.
Notes
- Cyclone response - DairyNZ
- Decision tree for flood damaged farms: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/5787035/flood-damaged-farm-decision-tree.pdf
- Government grants and funds: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/55630-Cyclone-Gabrielle-farmer-and-grower-recovery-grants
- Completing a feed budget: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/feed/improving-pasture-performance/assessing-farm-performance/feed-budgets/
Chapters
1:18 - Intro to Dean
1:41 - How Dean’s been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle
3:30 - Dean's been speaking with Hawke’s Bay farmers hit by the cyclone
3:48 - ‘Taken out of farming’ in the Manawatu floods of 2004, and how they recovered: what worked well, keeping morale up
9:14 - Dean discusses support organisations, talking to mates, getting through it as a community, and keeping the cows in lactation
12:05 - Deciding what to prioritise in each day of the recovery
15:30 - Dean’s advice for Cyclone Gabrielle-affected farmers
17:45 - Ways to make a farm and business resilient to the effects of extreme weather events, e.g. positioning fencing to run with the water
20:00 - Michelle discusses key support avenues and tools to help farmers recovering from an adverse event
22:15 - What Michelle’s hearing from farmers in affected regions: power, fuel and water supply, roading access, cows dried off, stock movement, infrastructure
25:25 - Dealing with the silt
26:33 - What’s DairyNZ’s role in the response and recovery?
29:30 - Resilience of dairy farmers, and advice for farmers on preparing for future extreme weather events (contingency plans, generators, means of communication, fuel storage)
There’s a lot of conversation circling about milk alternatives and their potential impact on global dairy consumption and NZ dairy farming. But what do we mean by ‘milk alternatives’? What are the differences between plant alternatives and precision fermentation? Also, where are milk alternatives at and what are the facts – and the myths – about new and existing products?
Here to shed some light on the matter is Warren McNabb, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the Riddet Institute, Massey University. Warren will discuss how milk alternatives have developed to date and what the future is looking like.
Notes
Frontier Farms - DairyNZ
Inside Dairy Feb-March 2023 - DairyNZ
Chapters01:31 – Who is Warren?
03:46 – Warren explains the different milk alternatives and where they’re at on their journey
11:40 – Nutritional differences between milk alternatives and traditional dairy, and what that means for global nutritional requirements
14:21 – What is a plant-based and animal-optimised food system?
17:57 – How does traditional dairy sustainability compare with milk alternatives?
20:45 – Precision fermentation’s future
24:00 – Key messages for NZ farmers, traditional dairy’s role in future food systems, and what alternative milks mean for dairy farmers
26:50 – Warren’s brunch chat with friends
How are Kiwi dairy farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain their profitability? In Part 2 of this series, you’ll hear from Waikato owner operator John Bluett, and Canterbury herd-owning lower-order sharemilker Kylie Marriott. John and Kylie share their approach to coping with cost increases, how they calculate profit from various inputs, how they budget when things are changing so quickly, and what they’ve learned from previous tough times.
Notes
DairyNZ budgeting templates
Mark and Measure course
Budget Case Studies
Budgeting when inflation is high
Dairy operating profit
Dairy Training's Business by the Numbers course
Chapters1:50 – Who are John and Kylie?
3:40 – Kylie’s journey from contract milking tolower-order sharemilking
5:05 – John and Kylie explain their farm production systems
8:30 – How they’re dealing with rising farm costs
12:40 – Kylie’s farm business principles
14:40 – Kylie’s debt aversion
15:40 – John’s farm business principles
20:05 – Calculating profit made on various inputs
22:11 – John’s budgeting approach
25:10 – Kylie’s budgeting approach
26:33 – Lessons learnt from previous downturns
How are farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain profitability? Over the next two episodes, you’ll hear from a group of farmers who have kindly agreed to talk about their approach. We’ll ask them how they’re coping, how they calculate their profit from various inputs, like supplements, and how they go about budgeting when things are changing so quickly. In this first episode, we’re joined by farmers Dan King and Marc Jones. Dan and his wife Kate are owner/operators on the West Coast; and Marc and wife Nia are 50/50 sharemilking 700 cows at Mamaku, Bay of Plenty, and contract milking 500 cows in Tirau, Waikato.
Notes
Budget Case Studies
Budgeting when inflation is high
Dairy operating profit
Dairy Training Business by the Numbers course
Chapters
0:00 – Intro
4:15 – Dan’s and Marc’s farm production systems
7:46 – Approach to rising farm costs
11:33 – Their farm business principles
15:00 – How they calculate profit on various inputs
16:09 – Budgeting process for next season
19:58 – Previous experiences and lessons learnt
In this episode we wrap up our three-part series on contract milking. You’ll find out what a farm owner needs to know when it comes to employing a contract milker. How do you make your expectations clear, how do settle your new contract milker in well, and how do you support them to keep growing in their skillset? Bringing the answers are farm owner and ag consultant Brendan Attrill, and Waikato contract milker Rachael Foy.
Notes
Contract milking 101 | Ep. 37
Contract milking part 2: investigating a job offer | Ep. 39
Dairy Training Contract Milking course
Chapters1:25 – As farm owner, orientating a new contract milker onto the farm
4:55 – The orientation experience from the contract milkers’ perspective
7:38 – Making expectations clear to the contract milker
10:45 – The importance of having a good farm policy
13:08 – Getting regular communication working practically
14:52 – Meetings between the farm owner and contract milker
16:05 – How to deal with issues or differences in operating
20:08 – Identifying learning opportunities for contract milkers
21:46 - Final thoughts
How do you figure out if a contract milking position is the right one for you? What things should you be asking the farm owner, what do you look for on the farm, and what are some common mistakes to avoid? In this episode, the second of our three-part series on contract milking, you’ll get the low-down on investigating a job offer from DairyNZ business specialist Paul Bird and ANZ agri manager Sian Mitchell.
Also, check out the excellent new contract milking short course launched recently by Dairy Training Ltd, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers. A successful pilot has finished, and the next courses are now confirmed.
Contract Milker Premium Calculator
Chapters
01:02 – Who are Sian and Paul?
02:40 – Young people being unprepared for contract milking
03:59 – Key principles a contract milker should be thinking about
06:03 – The contract milker premium
07:13 – Questions to ask in a contract milking interview
10:26 – What to look for when viewing a farm
12:01 – Key things to look for in a contract milking agreement
14:43 – Why it’s so important to use professional advisors
16:40 – Why are official agreements important?
18:06 – Can a contract milker borrow money to buy machinery/equipment?
20:10 – Final thoughts
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, our guest is Northland third-generation dairy farmer Andrew Booth, who’s gone from climate change sceptic to Climate Change Ambassador. How did Andrew end up in the Ambassador role and what does it look like? What changes are he and his family making on their farm to reduce emissions? And what kinds of challenges are they facing up there in the North? Andrew answers those questions and more.
Notes
DairyNZ Climate Change Ambassadors
Andrew Booth named North climate ambassador
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, we catch up with Waikato farm manager Christopher Vila, who won last year’s NZ Dairy Manager of the Year Award. Chris shares his journey of moving to NZ from the Philippines and beginning a new career as a dairy farmer. He also tells us about his experience taking part in the NZDIA programme, his thoughts on career-changing, his views on the Kiwi dairy sector, and what he does to stay well.
Notes
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
From farm assistant to winning the dairy industry's top title for 2021
Dairy farmer newcomer wins New Zealand manager of the year
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, we’re joined by Zoe Bryson, who came third in the NZ Dairy Trainee of the Year Award earlier this year, after winning this category at the Central Plateau regional Awards. Find out how Zoe’s OE from Scotland to NZ has turned into a thriving dairy career, what she loves about farming down here in the Southern Hemisphere, what she’s gained from the Dairy Industry Awards, and her aspirations.
Notes
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
Zoe Bryson NZDIA Regional DTOTY Finalist Video
A world of opportunity for young Scot on OE
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, Bay of Plenty farm manager Dayna Rowe shares her thoughts on why we need to shape up our farm workplaces to stay competitive with other sectors. Dayna, who originally planned to be an actor, is on a mission to make dairy farming the best place to work – and it starts with her own workplace. Find out how she ended up in dairy farming, how she’s making her farm a great workplace, what she does to get off-farm, and more.
Notes
The Great Futures in Dairying Plan
Inside Dairy October-November 2022
A lower stocking rate, less nitrogen fertiliser and less imported feed – those are the characteristics of a ‘future farm’ being tested down at Dairy Trust Taranaki. Researchers are into their third season comparing a successful current farm system with a farm system that’s designed to meet the regulations and emissions pricing coming at dairy farmers. So, have they been able to make the future farm system work at a similar profitability to the current farm? And what’s happened with greenhouse gas emissions and nitrate leaching reductions? To talk us through this exciting research are Jason Rolfe, general manager at Dairy Trust Taranaki, and DairyNZ farm systems specialist Chris Glassey.
Chapters
01:11 – The purpose of Dairy Trust Taranaki (DTT)
04:15 – DairyNZ’s relationship with DTT
05:15 – The DTT trial to reduce emissions while increase profit
06:22 – What does the research look like?
08:45 – The partner farm network
10:04 – Challenges along the way
11:10 – What have we learnt from the trial so far?
16:52 – Nitrate leaching across the farms
20:03 – The biggest surprises from the trial
20:58 – Weather effects on the trial
25:05 – How to follow what DTT is doing
How do you prepare to go from being a farm worker to a contract milker? What are some things to be aware of, what are the foundations for success, and how do you avoid the common mistakes? This episode is the first of a three-part series on contract milking, which we’ll be rolling out over the next few months. Joining us for the first episode to offer some top-notch practical advice are farm owner and ag consultant Brendan Attrill and Waikato contract milker Rachael Foy.
Notes
Sharemilking and contract milking arrangements
Chapters
00:38 – About our guests
01:36 – What is contract milking?
02:50 – Who is contract milking for?
04:41 – The attraction of contract milking
05:17 – Skills required
08:11 – Cashflow and financials
14:24 – Surrounding yourself with positive people
19:14 – Tax requirements
22:22 – Taking time off
23:34 – Relationship with your farm owner
27:02 – What to do before you take on a contract
29:43 – Final thoughts
We all know that attracting and retaining great staff is an ongoing challenge for the dairy sector. A group of Canterbury dairy farmers have put their heads together and come up with one solution to the problem – they’ve set up a training programme to attract young university graduates into dairying, fast-track them in their careers, and give them skills and support to succeed. Each graduate is matched with a reputable farmer, paid a competitive salary, and paid to attend 25 modules covering everything from pasture management skills to banking basics. This year’s pilot programme has gone brilliantly, and to tell us all about in this episode is Campbell Tait, one of the farmers who’s helped set up this programme, and Peter O’Connor, one of the graduates taking part.
Chapters:
00:57 – About our guests
03:30 – About the graduate training programme
09:23 – Peter’s experience in the programme
13:06 – Modules – frequency, topics, creation
16:58 – Employment agreements, pay and accommodation
18:27 – DairyNZ’s support
19:26 – What’s next and who’s interested
20:51 – Programme benefits and how to sign up
The Government has released its agriculture emissions pricing proposal. While the Government has accepted the sector’s recommendation for a farm-level split-gas approach, that’s where the similarities end. So, what does the Government’s proposal mean for dairy farmers? How does it differ to what the sector, through He Waka Eke Noa, recommended? And will the Government’s plan lead to reductions in methane, and without significantly affecting farmers’ businesses and the New Zealand economy? In this episode we're joined by DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Bruce Thorrold, who’ll explain the Government’s proposal, how it stacks up, and what it really means for dairy farmers.
Visit our website to read more and register for our online and in-person farmer feedback events.
Chapters:
0:41 – Is DairyNZ happy with where things have landed?
1:16 – What are the changes to what the sector proposed?
3:22 – Biggest areas of concern?
4:03 – What is the Government’s proposal?
4:58 – Any positive in the Government’s proposal?
6:14 – Pros and cons of the two Government options for nitrogen pricing
7:33 – Pricing incentives
7:53 – Sequestration recommendations
11:16 – Concerns about processer-level levy backstop option
12:47 – Reduction in milk solids production
14:14 – Any chance agriculture could still end up in the NZ ETS?
14:32 – What happens if politicians and farmers can’t find a compromise?
15:40 – Industry response and consultation period
16:02 – Details of the final decision from Government
As a dairy farmer, how do you go about choosing an accountant who truly understands your specific needs and challenges? How can you take full advantage of their knowledge and expertise? And what are some common mistakes rural accountants see farmers making, and on the flipside, things farmers are often good at in this area? Answering those questions and more in this episode is Nigel McWilliam, chartered accountant and director at MBS Advisors in Morrinsville, Waikato. Nigel is a dairying specialist accountant and is also a director shareholder of a 1200-cow farm in North Otago.
Notes:
Advice and support for your farm business
Chapters:
0:50 – Who is Nigel?
2:08 – How to choose the right accountant
3:26 – What should a good accountant be able to do for you?
4:08 - Difference between tax and management accounts
5:06 - How to gauge if an accountant truly understands farming
6:06 – ‘Interviewing’ an accountant
8:38 - Getting the most from your accountant on an ongoing basis
9:47 – Building a good working relationship
10:50 - Does hourly rate or a set annual fee matter?
11:38 – Benchmarking info from your accountant
12:40 – How accounts can tell a story
14:32 – What to do if your relationship with your accountant isn’t working
15:42 - Common mistakes farmers make with their finances
16:37 - Things farmers are often good at in this area
Taranaki dairy farmer Kane Brisco nearly walked away from farming, worn down by the constant physical and mental strains of the job. But at his lowest, he started figuring out practical ways to cope with stress and recharge his passion for life on the land. In this episode, Kane shares the tools he’s developed – ranging from breathwork to boxing – to operate at his best.
Notes
Farm Fit NZ
DairyNZ wellbeing webpages
Chapters:1:00 - Kane's background and how he ended up in dairy farming
4:04 - Keeping in top shape and helping other farmers do the same
5:54 - Getting through some challenging years
6:42 - Journey to getting fit again
9:15 - Mental health challenges within the dairy sector
13:14 - New book ‘Tools for the top paddock’
16:02 - Kane’s tools for dealing with the strains of farming
21:10 - Balancing family and farming
23:52 – What happens at FarmFit training sessions?
27:08 – Kane’s cold water trough therapy
27:56 - Staying connected with the right people, right places
29:22 - Tricky conversations – talking with a someone who’s struggling
31:27 - Advice for those going through hard times right now
32:53 – How to contact Kane, join FarmFit, and where to find his book
With entries for the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards about to open, we catch up with one of this year’s winners, north Waikato farmer Jimmy Cleaver. He took away the regional trophy for Auckland/Hauraki Farm Manager of the Year, as well as a stack of regional and national merit awards, including the DairyNZ People & Leadership Award. So, what makes the 23-year-old such a standout so early in his career? Why is managing people – and giving others a chance to get ahead in dairy farming – so high on his list of life goals? And what are his ambitions personally and for the sector? Find out in this episode.
Notes:
Jimmy Cleaver’s 2022 NZDIA awards include the Auckland/Hauraki Farm Manager of the Year and these merit awards:
Regional
- DeLaval Livestock Management Award
- Fonterra Dairy Management Award
- Franklin Vets Pasture & Feed Management Award
- BlackmanSpargo Rural Law Ltd People & Leadership Award
National
- LIC Interview Award
- DairyNZ - People & Leadership Award
Find out more about the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards
DairyNZ’s people resources
Chapters:
1:29 - Growing up on a drystock farm and switching focus to dairying
2:24 – Studying before stepping onto the farm
3:27 – Jimmy’s first couple of years in dairying
5:39 – Jimmy’s current role and what he finds most satisfying about it
7:11 – The experience of entering the NZ Dairy Industry Awards
7:58 – Learning from the awards process to be a better farmer
8:49 – Managing people on farm
10:18 - Benefits of good leadership and people management
10:49 - Getting yourself – and your team – through tough times
13:25 – Achieving farm production and empty rate records
15:24 – Making improvements across the dairy sector
17:19 – Jimmy’s goals for the future
19:35 - Advice to anyone weighing up a career in dairying
Fodder beet offers many benefits as an alternative crop to brassicas, but it also presents risks and challenges. So, what can we learn from recent research about how to deal with those risks and challenges? How have farmers adapted their feeding practices over time? And do we have all the answers or is there more research required? In this episode DairyNZ senior scientist Dawn Dalley summarises recent research findings, and North Canterbury dairy farmer and veterinarian Trish McIntosh joins us to share her experiences of using fodder beet.
Chapters:
1:07 - Dawn give an overview on her role at DairyNZ with fodder beet research
2:38 - An intro from Trish and how she got involved with this project
4:15 - Fodder beet learnings from the Forages for reduced nitrate leaching project
7:42 - Trish talks about how feeding practices have changed on her farm
10:53 - Research to find answers to some of the challenges farmers have experienced
15:54 - Feeding changes Trish has observed with clients over the last 10-12 years
17:50 - Cumulative effects of feeding fodder beet on our replacement dairy stock.
20:58 - The benefits of being involved with the Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) project
22:00 - Do we have all the answers or is there still more research required?
25:06 - Fodder beets role in dairy systems into the future
29:41 - Does fodder beet pose additional environmental risks when being grazed during winter?
31:46 - Practical take home messages from Dawn and Trish
Recorded on 15 June 2022. We have some real challenges ahead of us as a country over the coming decades when it comes to improving water quality, increasing biodiversity, and reducing emissions. We all want to see improved environmental outcomes, we all have a role to play, and we can’t do it alone. Working together constructively will be the key to our success, but to do this we need to build strong relationships that are based on trust, integrity, and mutual understanding. Hear more about this as we talk with Dr David Burger, GM Sustainable Dairy, DairyNZ, Fish & Game Chair Ray Grubb, and a panel of (non-government organisations) NGOs and dairy sector representatives sharing their perspectives.
For more from the Farmers' Forum Series, visit our website.
Chapters:
2.34 - Dr David Burger – GM Sustainable Dairy, DairyNZ
10.26 - Ray Grubb – Chair, Fish & Game NZ
23:38 - Questions for David and Ray
27.06 - Panel: Nicola Toki (Chief Executive, Forest & Bird), Melissa Slattery (Chair, Dairy Environment Leaders), Richard McIntyre (Dairy Farmer & Deputy Chair, Fish & Game)
Three years ago, Quinn Morgan was a self-described city slicker, working as a personal trainer in Perth and spending hours sitting in traffic. But then, after a wedding in NZ, Covid’s arrival, and some encouragement from farming family members, Quinn ended up reluctantly taking a job in dairy farming back in NZ. Fast forward to 2022, and he’s now leading a team of eight on a Pamu dairy farm in the Taupō area, raising his young family with a rural lifestyle and progressing quickly with his new career. In this episode, Quinn shares his story about how he ended up in dairying, and the challenging but rewarding experiences he’s faced since making the move. He also talks about what he’s doing to encourage others, particularly young Māori, into the dairy sector – including his involvement in DairyNZ's recently launched Great Futures in Dairying Plan. Quinn reckons we need to be looking in new places for our future staff. He wants others from a similar background to him – urban and/or non-farming – to discover what he has about the dairy sector: the career progression opportunities, the income stability, the supportive culture, and the chance to be a steward of the land.
Chapters:
1:12 – An unexpected career move
3:25 – Quinn’s first farming opportunity
4:51 - What Quinn loves about dairy farming
6:55 - Winning the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer of the Year in 2021
7:45 - Are Māori values being reflected in the dairy sector?
9:57 – Quinn’s involvement in DairyNZ's Great Futures in Dairying plan
12:15 - Looking in new places for our staff
13:51 - Attracting young Māori to farming
15:30 - Future goals, and advice for other new entrants
17:43 - Mentoring younger farmers
21:39 - Recruiting and retaining staff
24:39 - Reflecting on his first few years in the dairy sector
25:33 – Getting more rangatahi to enter awards
Recorded on 20 April 2022. With over 12,000 businesses across New Zealand employing over 30,000 workers on farms, our success in attracting, retaining and growing our people will determine whether the dairy sector thrives or survives. We know dairy offers a rewarding career and lifestyle, so how do we attract the right people in a tight labour market? How do we make dairy appealing for someone considering their career options? And how do we look after skilled and capable workers, so they’ll stay with us? Hear from experts and farmers about their experiences and insights.
For more from the Farmers' Forum Series, visit our website.
Chapters:
1.56 - Tim Mackle, DairyNZ chief executive
14.35 - Lee Astridge, HR/Recruitment specialist
36.47 - Dairy farmer panel – Jordyn Crouch, John Totty and Jo Sheridan
Foot-and-mouth disease has reached the tourist hot spot of Bali, and the risk of it entering NZ on the footprint of an unwary traveller or by other means, is now a little too close for comfort. So, what are the risks to farmers and primary industry as a whole? And more importantly, who is responsible and what do we need to do to be prepared? We chat to Liz Shackleton, Biosecurity Manager for DairyNZ, who talks about the level of risk, who is involved, and shares some tips for farmers on what to look for and what to do.
Notes:
DairyNZ foot-and-mouth disease webpage
Chapters:1.00 – Intro from Liz and what led to her role in biosecurity at DairyNZ
2.25 – Where in the world is FMD now and how much of a threat is it to our primary industries?
5.28 – What steps are being taken to contain it?
6.19 – Addressing the concern of FMD arriving with imported stock feed or imported goods
8.23 – What can be done now and who is responsible?
11.18 – The importance of a tracing system
12.37 – How do we recognise an outbreak it before it spreads and what actions can we take?
13.32 – How does FMD get onto farm and what would you see if it does?
15.37 – What would the first days of an FMD outbreak look like?
17.19 – FMD has been in some other counties for a while, so how would an outbreak in NZ be different?
18.56 – How can farmers keep updated?
Recorded on 9 March 2022. Kiwi dairy farmers are increasingly under pressure with ever-changing regulations, acute workforce shortages, and all the complexities that come with a changing world. Sometimes it can be hard to navigate while still making time for family, friends, and the stuff that matters most. What are these challenges? How do we manage the juggle and still feel ok? What is being done for us as farmers … and who is speaking up for us? How do I notice I’m not handling so well? Who can I talk to?
For more from the Farmers' Forum Series, visit our website.
Chapters:
2.18 - Overview from Jim van der Poel, DairyNZ Chair
7.22 - Former farmer and rural mental health advocate Doug Avery
34.32 - Dairy farmer panel – Wayne Langford, Loshni Manikam and Neil Bateup
Wintering on crop isn’t just a Southland issue. New National Environment Standards for intensive winter grazing will come into effect in November 2022. Farmers all over New Zealand are having to review their wintering crop practices now and put some thought into how they’re going to winter into the future. In this episode, we chat with Central Hawke’s Bay sheep farmer Ben Tosswill and Southland dairy farmer Ewen Mathieson about winter grazing practices now and what’s next.
Chapters:
0.51 – Ben: banking back to farming
2.32 – Ewen: third generation farmer
3.20 – Changing consumer/market expectations
4.14 – What’s different now compared to five years ago?
5.13 – Ewen’s move away from cropping
7.18 – Meeting new regulations
7.59 – Flexibility to cope with curve balls
9.40 – Wintering as a North Island sheep farmer
10.20 – Sheep farmers lifting their game
11.34 – What Ben’s changed on his farm
13.10 – Reducing risk to animals and environment
15.10 – Cow lying time
16.39 – Lowering stress on sheep and staff
17.39 – Team culture and wellbeing
20.34 – Benefits of a written wintering plan
21.54 – Team buy-in on the plan
23.55 – Preventing small issues from becoming big ones
26.13 – Protecting waterways: silt fences (Ewen), temporary hot wires (Ben)
28.52 – Ewen: keeping the power on
29.49 – Ben: sharing the wintering plan
30.17 – Final thoughts: one thing farmers can do now
Visit our website for more on wintering
It’s no secret that soil carbon levels on New Zealand farms are among the highest in the world. So, why aren’t dairy farmers being rewarded for it? Also, is it worth trying to increase your soil carbon stocks, if so, how, and what’s the best way to measure it on your farm? To answer those questions on this episode is Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University, and a farmer-elected director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. Jacqueline’s been deep into this topic for many years and she’s passionate about helping farmers get their heads around it.
Chapters:
0.48 - What is soil carbon and why is it important?
2.20 - How do soil carbon levels in NZ compare to other countries?
6.01 - Carbon captured in pasture - how does that process work?
8.25 - How are farmers in other countries being rewarded for soil carbon?
13.05 - Why aren’t NZ dairy farmers getting the same rewards?
14.52 - Management practices to maintain, or even increase, soil carbon stocks
18.43 - The effect the age and stage of soil has on soil carbon
21.09 - Soil carbon varying across a farm and even within a paddock
24.11 - How to measure carbon in your soil, and the change in those levels
27.19 - Details of the new study to monitor and measure carbon in soil at a national level
28.52 - What does this all mean for farmers, and what should they be doing?
Stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue and other wellbeing issues are a growing concern in the rural sector. Often, the conversations we have about it are focused on men. But what about rural women? They make up half of our sector, so why aren’t we talking much about their wellbeing too? Is it because we think they’re generally doing pretty well in this area? Dairy farmer and leadership coach Loshni Manikam says that’s not the case – many rural women are indeed struggling. So, what kinds of challenges are women facing, why don’t we hear much about it, and how does it affect us all?
Notes:
Samaritans: 0800 726 666
Lifeline: 0800 543 354
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757
Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254
Farmstrong
Chapters:
1:27 - Why should we all care how rural women are doing?
6:43 – Who is Loshni?
10:24 – Why are many rural women are struggling?
13:36 – Why we don’t hear more about it?
17:02 – What are rural women struggling with?
21:20 – Finding your ‘identity’
23:27 – The ‘ripple effect’ of when rural women are not feeling well
25:03 – Moving from struggling to thriving
29:17 – Prioritising yourself
39:10 – More info or get in touch with Loshni
40:38 – Support service contact details
Does fodder beet have a positive future as a feed for cows in New Zealand? What are some key things to consider when feeding beet through winter? And how do you put systems in place to maximise cow performance and animal health, while also minimising fodder beet’s risks? Here to answer those questions, and more, are DairyNZ scientist Dr Roshean Woods and veterinarian Dr Charlotte Westwood. Roshean and Charlotte have been involved in a three-year research project on fodder beet and they share the results with us.
Notes:
Feed Checker calculator
Download the Feed Checker calculator
Published article: ‘A survey of fodder beet use and feeding practices on dairy farms in Canterbury, Otago and Southland’
DairyNZ fodder beet webpages
Chapters:
2:50 - Fodder beet background and current use
3:55 - Motivations for the latest fodder beet project and research
5:08 - Value of fodder beet to farm businesses
7:00 - Results of fodder beet farmer survey
8:16 - Key concerns to consider with fodder beet
10:37 - Measuring fodder beet for feed management
11:55 - Nutritional differences between fodder beet leaf and bulb
12:54 - Benefits and guidelines for testing your fodder beet crops
15:27 - Findings from fodder beet samples around the country
16:47 - Using the Feed Checker calculator
18:10 - Feed demands of pregnant dairy cows
18:56 - What happens to fodder beet crops over winter?
21:24 - Practical take home points from the latest fodder beet project
24:08 - Where to go for further fodder beet information
Methane is a big topic and it’s a pressing concern for our sector. We need to reduce our emissions, while improving profitability – but how? In this episode we dig into the research DairyNZ’s doing in this area. Senior research scientist Dr Jane Kay, who leads the Less-Methane Team, joins us to explain what tools offer the most promise and when those tools might be available to adopt on farms.
Notes:
Keep up to date on this work
Contact Jane Kay at jane.kay@dairynz.co.nz
Chapters:
1:10 - Jane’s role and areas of expertise
2:00 - Overview of DairyNZ’s Less-Methane Team
3:47 - Why are we talking about methane?
5:25 - What we’re trying to achieve
6:04 - Three main areas of research
8:30 - Deciding what to invest in
10:40 - What the research looks like
12:26 - Challenges of our pasture-based system
14:53 - Early-in-life intervention
16:23 - Automatic in-paddock feeder
17:29 - Slow-release capsules
18:40 - Feeds that produces less methane
20:05 - Solutions for as many farms as possible
21:47 - When will farmers see options?
23:17 - Feeling optimistic
24:11 - What holds the most promise?
24:50 - How to find out more
How do we find skilled, capable and enthusiastic farm staff when they just don’t seem to be available? In this episode, Lee Astridge, a leading agriculture recruitment and HR specialist, shares actionable tips to help you navigate the recruiting process and make your farming business an attractive option in a tight labour market.
Links:
DairyNZ people resources
GoDairy
Chapters:1:55 - How can a recruitment agency help farmers?
3:50 - How does dairy recruitment compare to other industries?
7:02 - Why is it so hard to find staff right now?
11:19 - Best time to post your vacancy
13:32 - Contract start dates
15:15 - Writing a job vacancy ad to attract the right people
16.55 - Being clear about your workplace culture
18:44 - Tailoring job ads to your audience
20:53 - What are the hardest roles to fill?
22:11 - Key things to offer to secure good candidates
24:45 - Will the increase in minimum wage affect recruitment?
25:22 - What to do if someone pulls out of a role
30:14 - Advice for interviewing candidates
36:05 - Being honest with those hard-to-attract roles
37:52 - Top three things to consider to retain staff
What kind of technologies are farmers already using, why, and what are the next big things that could deliver value on-farm? In this episode we cover the likes of robotic milking and virtual fencing, but also a new device that could help prevent back injuries, and some technology aimed at helping us reduce heat stress in cows. It’s an exciting topic, but also a wide one, so to help us make sense of it are DairyNZ researchers Callum Eastwood and Brian Dela Rue. Also joining us is Will Burrett, General Manager of Ngāi Tahu Farming & Forestry, and a Director of Trev. Will talks about the technologies they’re using and thinking of using at Ngāi Tahu Farming, how they decide which ones to invest in, the outcomes they’re seeing, and any challenges with implementing their current tech.
Links:
New workplace design
New Dairies and Technology
Kanban boards
Ngāi Tahu Farming
How can we lift the national average six-week in-calf rate from its current position of 67%? Two exciting new traits have emerged – age at puberty and AGD (distance from anus to genitals) – that could serve as early-in-life predictors of fertility performance. DairyNZ’s been investigating these traits, and others, by following 5000 cows in 54 herds. To find out what we’ve learned and what those findings mean for farmers, we're joined by DairyNZ senior scientist Chris Burke and DairyNZ PhD student Melissa Stephen, and Taranaki farmer Tracey Berquist.
Read more about the research here
How effective is plantain at both reducing nitrate leaching and helping to fill the feed supply in warmer months? In this episode, we’re exploring the benefits and challenges of incorporating plantain into the farm system, specifically in the Tararua District. Our guests are sharemilker and DairyNZ extension partner Francesca Bennett and Tararua Plantain Project manager Adam Duker.
The Tararua project is funded by DairyNZ, MPI, and Nestlē with many supporting partners including AgResearch, Agricom, Massey University, Fonterra, and Horizons Regional Council.
Links:
Tararua Plantain Project
DairyNZ Plantain webpage
Plantain Potency and Practice Programme
What prompted the Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm’s move to full-season 10-in-7 milking? And what impact has it had on animal health, fertility, production and staff wellbeing? We speak with demonstration lead Jeremy Savage. Also on the episode is DairyNZ scientist Paul Edwards, who shares what the research is telling us about the effect of different milking intervals on milk production, fat and protein yields, and even sleeping patterns for farm staff.
Links:
Better workplaces through flexible milking podcast
DairyNZ flexible milking research
DairyNZ flexible milking content
Lincoln University Dairy Farm data
Does selecting bulls that have a high Fertility Breeding Value really improve your herd’s fertility? In this episode, DairyNZ senior scientist Susanne Meier talks about what we learned from studying a unique herd of heifers with high and low Fertility BV, during rearing and their first and second lactations. We also explore what prompted Dairy Holdings Limited to prioritise the fertility trait in their breeding programme, and what kind of results they’ve seen since.
How does heat stress affect cows, what are some warning signs, and what can you do on farm to make life more comfortable for your cows? In this episode, Tom Buckley, farm manager for Owl Farm in Cambridge, goes into detail about the strategies they’re using to combat heat stress. Meanwhile, DairyNZ’s Jac McGowan talks about the science behind heat stress: how it affects cows, the warning signs, and what current research is underway.
Links:
Owl Farm’s heat stress strategies
DairyNZ’s heat stress info
How do you hold onto more of your profit when the milk price is up? We’re chatting with DairyNZ business specialist Paul Bird and Waikato farm owner Stephanie Gudgeon about the spending habits of high-profit farmers. Paul covers DairyNZ’s analysis of about 500 farm businesses, while Steph shares how she and husband Andy make their business work to achieve what’s important to them as a family.
Links:
Mark and Measure course
ChooseFI podcast
On Purpose podcast
Elevate Your Life podcast
Cooking The Books podcast
The Fed and Fearless podcast
The Barefoot Investor
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Atomic Habits
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 5 Love Languages
Budget Case Studies
‘Hold onto your profit’ Inside Dairy article
Two agriculture emissions pricing options, alternative to the NZ ETS, have just been released by He Waka Eke Noa. How do the options work and how much will farmers end up paying for their on-farm greenhouse gas emissions? To help you get your head around the options and have your say, we put some questions to agriculture industry leaders Bruce Thorrold (DairyNZ strategy and investment leader) and Dave Harrison (Beef + Lamb New Zealand general manager policy).
When it comes to breeding decisions, which animal traits matter the most to Kiwi dairy farmers? Should environmental traits should be part of the Breeding Worth index? Farmers were recently asked what they want to see in the cow of the future. Here to explain the findings is Dr Peter Amer from AbacusBio, with valuable insights and questions from Canterbury dairy farmer and genetics-enthusiast Tania Riddington.
Is agriculture going to be brought into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? And what role does the He Waka Eke Noa partnership have to play in reducing agricultural emissions? In this episode, Waikato dairy farmer Sophia Hunt joins the podcast to ask DairyNZ principal policy advisor Roger Lincoln some questions on this topic.
Looking for some fresh ideas to reduce your nitrogen fertiliser use? On this episode, we chat with Waikato sharemilker Chris Numan, who with wife Rachel has made a bunch of changes to reduce both their N fertiliser use and N losses. Find out what motivated them (not regulations), what strategies they’re using, and the results they’re seeing. Plus, on an interesting tangent, we hear about Rachel’s new-found fame as a published author.
Could reducing the number of milkings in a week help the dairy sector attract new staff and improve work-life balance? One farmer who’s gone to a flexible milking schedule is John Totty in Canterbury, currently starting his second full season milking 10 times in 7 days. What were his reasons for changing his milking schedule, and what kind of outcomes is he seeing?
How did we arrive at our current wintering practices? What’s next for wintering animals on crop? And what kind of changes can you make on farm now? Find out in this episode with DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Dawn Dalley and Southland dairy farmer Rob Dingle.
Stepping back from the day to day running of the farm is an exciting stage in life, but one that can be complex. What are the big things to consider? What are the common pitfalls and how can you avoid them? And for farmers looking to step back next season, what are the three key things you can do now to be in the best position? Find out in this episode with James Allen, agribusiness consultant and managing director of AgFirst Waikato.
Good weather forecasting helps farmers to make better decisions. But how exactly do meteorologists come up with their predictions? Will forecasting become more accurate? And what kind of weather can farmers expect for the weeks and months ahead? Let’s find out from Chris Brandolino, NIWA’s Principal Scientist of Forecasting and Media.
Are your calves getting the colostrum they need? How are you supposed to know and what can you change to make sure they do? And what are some of the common myths about colostrum? Find out in this episode of Talking Dairy, featuring veterinarian and researcher Emma Cuttance.
Once cull cows are on the truck for transport, they can be a bit out of sight, out of mind. But our responsibility for their welfare doesn’t end at the gate. In this episode, DairyNZ animal care specialist Jac McGowan joins a local truck driver for a day to see first-hand the ins and outs of transporting stock, and what challenges you’re preparing them for.
Where do dairy farmers fit in the climate change discussion? Can farmers have confidence that emissions targets won’t keep shifting? And what support can farmers expect from the government? Climate Change Minister James Shaw sits down with us to talk it through.
Taking over the National Party leadership was meant to be Todd Muller’s dream job, but instead, it thrust him into a season of intense anxiety and crippling panic attacks. In this episode, he candidly shares his mental health story, including everything he’s learned about recognising the symptoms and staying well.
Staff shortages can cause big headaches for dairy farmers. In this episode, we discuss what you can do to attract and retain staff, and we look at the results of a recent dairy farm employee survey, with DairyNZ's lead advisor – people, Jane Muir.
What's in the Climate Change Commission’s carbon budgets proposal and what does it mean for dairy farmers? Do you need to do anything yet? Let’s find out from DairyNZ’s principal policy advisor Roger Lincoln.
What's the difference between contract milking and variable order sharemilking? Are they still a viable progression pathway? And how do you make it work in your first season? We put those questions and more to DairyNZ senior business specialist Sarah Brown.