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...
Mar 14, 2023•41 min
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 tal...
Mar 07, 2023•33 min
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 Uni...
Feb 21, 2023•29 min
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 budge...
Feb 07, 2023•32 min
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/opera...
Jan 23, 2023•28 min
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: investigati...
Jan 10, 2023•27 min
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 Dai...
Dec 13, 2022•24 min
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 Re...
Dec 08, 2022•14 min
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 Dai...
Dec 08, 2022•13 min
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 nam...
Dec 08, 2022•13 min
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 assistan...
Dec 08, 2022•13 min
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 g...
Nov 29, 2022•26 min
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 c...
Nov 15, 2022•32 min
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 eve...
Nov 01, 2022•24 min
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 thi...
Oct 18, 2022•18 min
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 special...
Oct 11, 2022•18 min
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 - Ke...
Sep 26, 2022•37 min
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 ...
Sep 13, 2022•21 min
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 t...
Aug 23, 2022•36 min
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...
Aug 16, 2022•53 min
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 ca...
Aug 10, 2022•28 min
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...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min
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 ...
Jul 20, 2022•20 min
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 c...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 3 min
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: ...
Jun 21, 2022•33 min
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 sh...
May 31, 2022•31 min
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 challe...
May 10, 2022•42 min
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...
Apr 26, 2022•25 min
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 ...
Apr 12, 2022•26 min
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 ...
Mar 30, 2022•42 min
