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Talking Dairy is your go-to podcast for New Zealand dairy farmers. You'll hear from farmers, scientists, and experts who share practical tips and insights to help you succeed. It's all about giving you the tools and knowledge to make the best decisions for your farm. Brought to you by DairyNZ, we help farmers lead the world in sustainable dairying by investing in research, new solutions and advocacy. Follow now and stay informed with the latest episodes.
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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...
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 successfu...
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 p...
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 qu...
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 ear...
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 ...
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 i...
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 conver...
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 adop...
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 resea...
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 str...
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 ...
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 conver...
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 DairyN...
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 202...
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...
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...
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 a...
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 ca...
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...
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