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-...
Apr 30, 2024•28 min
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 . Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn...
Apr 18, 2024•19 min
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. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn...
Apr 03, 2024•23 min
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. Have feedback or ideas for futu...
Mar 19, 2024•24 min
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) Have feedback or ideas for futu...
Mar 05, 2024•23 min
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. Have f...
Feb 13, 2024•25 min
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 ...
Jan 23, 2024•18 min
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, an...
Dec 18, 2023•19 min
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 m...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min
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. ...
Nov 14, 2023•22 min
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-...
Oct 31, 2023•33 min
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...
Oct 17, 2023•17 min
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. Notes Selwyn and Hinds - Meeting a Sustainable Future - DairyNZ Have fe...
Oct 02, 2023•16 min
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. Notes Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz) 0800 787 254 Home - Farmstrong - Liv...
Sep 19, 2023•28 min
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...
Sep 05, 2023•16 min
How do we reduce methane emissions from cattle 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 seein...
Aug 29, 2023•21 min
With farm business viability top of mind 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 discuss trends in fertiliser use, whether you can afford to skip soil testing, the best time to apply nitrogen fertili...
Aug 15, 2023•33 min
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 B...
Aug 02, 2023•24 min
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 milki...
Jul 18, 2023•28 min
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. Notes Wet weather management - DairyNZ Spring...
Jul 05, 2023•38 min
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. Links Where to get help - DairyNZ...
Jun 20, 2023•21 min
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 links Budget Case Studies Budgeting when inflation is high Dairy operating profit Dairy T...
Jun 20, 2023•17 min
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 links Know the Market project - DairyNZ Job competitiveness calculator - DairyNZ Have feedback or ideas for ...
Jun 20, 2023•15 min
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 - Da...
Jun 06, 2023•38 min
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 ...
May 23, 2023•17 min
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. Notes Plantain - DairyNZ DairyNZ Podcast : 'Plantain for ...
May 09, 2023•35 min
It’s difficult to see the benefit of genetic gain in a herd from one season to the next. When you see an improvement in farm performance, how do you know that's a result of better genetics? How can you be confident that breeding for genetic gain actually works? Hear DairyNZ's Bruce Thorrold discuss learnings from 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 competito...
Apr 26, 2023•20 min
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 achievem...
Apr 11, 2023•23 min
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. ...
Apr 04, 2023•26 min
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 D...
Mar 28, 2023•21 min
