The Dairy Exporter Podcast

Financial literacy is almost like learning another language, and in the summer issue of Dairy Exporter the special report focusses on where to start and what is to gain from improving financial literacy in our farm businesses. From understanding debt management, to growing your funds through compounding, in this episode we break down the key terms and tools. Guests include: Paul Bird, Financial Educator, DairyNZ Chris Lewis, Managing Director, BakerAg Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter DairyNZ’s Paul Bird discusses the basics of financial literacy, including the everyday terminology, and how learning the terms and tools will help you grow a successful farm business, including the power of compounding money.  BakerAg’s Chris Lewis discusses the key things to be aware of when it comes to running a financially strong farm business, including doing a budget together as a partnership, good communication on spending, and managing debt.  Read the Special Report here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm ownership is becoming a harder goal to achieve, especially for the next generation who might not have the capital to meet increasing land prices. In this episode hear from Sarah How, Co-Founder of Landify, on how the platform is setting up young growers with established farmers; Conrad Wilkshire from Property Brokers about how the property market is gaining momentum this spring; and CEO of Pāmu Mark Leslie, on their new pathways programme. Guests include: Sarah How, Co-Founder, Landify  Conrad Wilkshire, General Manager for Rural, Property Brokers Mark Leslie, CEO, Pāmu Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Co-Founder of Ladify Sarah How discusses why they created Landify to support younger farmers into business and farm ownership pathways, and to connect them with established farmers. She says the big barrier for the next generation of farmers is having enough capital to purchase land, but also the connections to go into equity-partnership models with, which is where Landify can help. General Manager for Rural at Property Brokers Conrad Wilkshire discusses whether the property market is softening, and what this could mean for both growers wanting to get into farm ownership, and those looking to sell. He says there’s a lot more market discipline happening this season, and good preparation around due diligence. Pāmu has committed to creating more pathways to bring more farmers into the sector, by making it easier for farmers to get into farm ownership. CEO Mark Leslie discusses why they decided to do it, what they hope to achieve, and the pathways available.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drench resistance is already a widespread problem in the sheep industry, so how can dairy farmers stay ahead of the game, to avoid the same fate? Regular testing and monitoring are the keys to staying ahead, according to our guests in this episode, who discuss the tools and technology available to farmers right now.  Guests include: Greg Mirams, Founder & Managing Director, Techion Richard Fowler, Rotorua Dairy Farmer Lance Price, Farm Manager Ginny Dodunski, Programme Manager, Wormwise Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Founder and Managing Director of Techion Greg Mirams discusses how changing biology is increasing drench resistance, and what tools and technology are options for farmers to keep ahead of the game.  Rotorua farmer Richard Fowler has been part of an AgResearch monitoring programme that involved him routinely testing his stock, including for worms. Richard and Lance Price, who manages Richard’s runoff, discuss how the programme has changed their approach to drenching onfarm.   Wormwise Programme Manager Ginny Dodunski discusses how drench resistance affects cattle herds, and how they’re trying to collect data to get a better understanding of the problems. She says it’s a farm-by-farm discussion about what can be done differently, especially on calf-only blocks.  Check out Wormwise here. Buy the new Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learning to live with Kikuyu is the reality for more farmers in the upper North Island. Featured in the brand new Dairy Exporter Summer issue, Natalie and Andre Meier share their learnings from managing the subtropical grass on their farm. Also hear from Northland consultant Kim Robinson who gives her top tips for management of a Kikuyu system.  Guests include: Natalie & Andre Meier, Bay of Plenty Farmers Kim Robinson, Agribusiness Consultant & Director, AgFirst Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Bay of Plenty dairy farmers Andre and Natalie Meier have learnt to embrace the summer grass Kikuyu, and have also altered their system to once-a-day and are enjoying the productivity wins. They discuss how they got here. Read their story here. Kim Robinson, Agribusiness Consultant and Director at AgFirst, has been part of the system alternation on the Meier’s farm, and discusses the approach they took, and the advice she has for other farmers dealing with Kikuyu.  Find Kikuyu resources on the AgFirst website here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Summer Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With mating underway it’s important to look at your pasture management systems to make sure your herd is eating well. Keeping quality while there is a surplus and then keeping an eye out on when to slow down your round is important to future proof feed supply.  Guests include: Mark Williams, Farm Systems Specialist, DairyNZ Robbie Ferris, GM of Piriaka Farms and Chair of Pasture Summit Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media DairyNZ’s Mark Williams discusses pasture management as we head into the spring flush for pastures, including the targets farmers need to keep in mind, having a well communicated plan, and making the right decisions at the right time.  Robbie Ferris is the General Manager of Piriaka Farms, as well as the Chairperson of the Pasture Summit. He discusses why pasture management is important especially at this time of year, with mating underway, and why it’s important to have the right policy onfarm including stocking rates.  Learn more about the Pasture Summit in Episode 9 of the podcast here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With mating season underway farmers will be considering how to make their herds more efficient, through breeding. Fonterra have been around the country on their Efficiency Evolution Strategy Roadshow, and two of their presenters share the tools they encourage farmers to think about when it comes to getting the most from your herd. Also hear from two LIC Agri Managers on their MINDA tool, and how they’re using it to make bespoke plans for their farmers on what efficiency means to them. Guests include: Malcolm Ellis, Strategic Advisor, Fonterra Louise Cook, Environment Programme Lead, Fonterra Charlotte Gray and Rosanna Dickson, Senior Agri Managers, LIC Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Malcolm Ellis and Louise Cook from Fonterra hosted Fonterra’s Efficiency Evolution Strategy Roadshow. They discuss different strategies to get more efficiency from your herd and farm system. They say due to challenges like M Bovis farmers haven't had the chance to get into selecting cows for efficiency, but it’s time to look more closely at the replacements we are breeding.  Senior Agri Managers at LIC Charlotte Gray and Rosanna Dickson discuss the “MINDA” tool, and how LIC creates bespoke understandings of what “efficient” is to each individual farmer. They discuss how to get the best from the best cows, the limitations of herd data, and ways of measuring efficiency.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Salmonella outbreaks in herds can be devastating, and given the wet spring across the country, it is a grim reality for some farmers at the moment.  In this episode, hear from a vet managing Salmonella outbreaks in Southland; two Veterinary Technical Advisors from MSD Animal Health about how to prevent a Salmonella outbreak on your farm; and a Waikato dairy farmer about how she managed an outbreak on her farm during the dry period, and what she’s doing now to prevent it happening again. Guests include: Sam Lee, Southland Dairy Vet, Northern Southland Vets Kim Kelly, Livestock Veterinary Technical Advisor, MSD Animal Health Andrew MacPherson, Veterinary Technical Advisor, MSD Animal Health Louise Collingwood, Dairy Farmer, Ōtorohanga Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Southland Dairy Vet Sam Lee says cows that are already under stress are more prone to contracting Salmonella, and it doesn’t have to have been brought onto the farm by external factors such as birds. The Salmonella bacteria likes wet conditions, so he has been dealing with it especially this year with an especially wet spring in Southland right now.  MSD Animal Health are receiving a high number of calls from vets around the country seeking advice on best practice management of Salmonella as a result of outbreaks they are seeing from their farming clients. Livestock Veterinary Technical Advisor for MSD Animal Health Kim Kelly, and Veterinary Technical Advisor Andrew MacPherson, share what they are seeing out on farms at the moment and how to avoid an outbreak of this devastating bacteria on your farm. Thanks to using SenseHub Dairy collars Ōtorohanga dairy farmer Louise Collingwood was able to pick up the symptoms of Salmonella and get the farm vet involved early to treat her herd. The health alerts from the devices go out even before the cows themselves show symptoms visible to the farmer. For more information To find out more about Salmonella visit Top Farmers Know-How https://www.topfarmers.co.nz/know-how/salmonella/ To find out more about prevention with Salvexin+B click here. Other Important Notes: https://www.topfarmers.co.nz/know-how/salmonella/ https://www.topfarmers.co.nz/know-how/salmonella/salmonella-in-cattle/  PODCAST: Sharemilkers Matt and Jennifer Davison share their experience of a Salmonella Brandenburg outbreak on their Canterbury dairy farm and MSD Technical Vets talk about how common outbreaks of Salmonella are, what the options are for damage control and how to prevent it in the first place.  Salmonella fact sheet https://www.topfarmers.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/sites/244/2022/12/NZ-SAL-210900003-TFKH_Salmonella_Fact-Sheet-1_Salmonella-In-Cattle_2021.pdf Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Springtime is said to be the best time of year to put your farm on the property market, and those across the real estate sector are feeling optimistic about the way the market is heading with rising milk payouts, and more interest from investors back into the dairy sector. After a tough couple of years, it looks like confidence and capital are building – so could it be a good time to look at buying land? Guests include: Bruce Weir, General Manager of Country Banking, Rabobank Conrad Wilkshire, General Manager - Rural, Property Brokers  Craig Bates, Otago/Southland Sales Manager, PGG Wrightson Real Estate Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Rabobanks General Manager of Country Banking Bruce Weir says in their latest Rural Confidence Survey 26% of farmers surveyed were looking to expand their farm business. He says at the moment they’re seeing confidence begin to grow after a tough couple of years, and are seeing a lot more diversification of farm systems, into the likes of solar, arable, and agritourism.  Rural General Manager for Property Brokers Conrad Wilkshire says that while dairy payouts have gone up, turnover of farm sales has gone down – with the lowest year in the past decade being 2019, when the Reserve Bank tightened up access to capital. He says the valuation of land at the moment is low, but that will change over time, and in the past twelve months they’ve had a higher number than usual of farmers buying their first dairy farms.  Craig Bates says they’ve been getting a steady number of people interested in buying their first dairy farm, or diversifying their current farm with dairy, as well property being sold by those already in the industry. He’s optimistic about the spring season with loan interest rates coming down, and interest from investors increasing.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy companies are finding ways to make their businesses more efficient in a bid to lower emissions. However, we are also going through an electricity crisis, and how we use energy needs to be looked at across the board. In this episode we look at new technology such as hydrogen powered milk tankers, and electric powered boilers, as well as new mapping and modelling tools coming from Fonterra to measure carbon removal on farms.  Guests include: Michelle Good, Manager of Innovation, Farm Source Mark de Lautour, CEO, Open Country Brendan Haigh, Kaitiaki, Miraka Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Farmsource’s Manager for Innovation Michelle Good discusses a new carbon removal and vegetation mapping tool that Fonterra is looking into. This modelling will look at annual sequestration from trees, using data sources like satellite technology to identify where vegetation is onfarm. Mark de Lautour from Open Country discusses their world-first electric boiler which is powered by renewable energy including hydroelectric power and wind farms. They’re using the transition period to find out what does and doesn’t work for their system, and also how moving to electric power is affected by a nationwide electricity shortage.  Miraka has started driving around their dual-fuel hydrogen-diesel milk tanker, as part of the company’s goal to reduce milk transportation emissions. Miraka Kaitiaki Brendan Haigh discusses the challenges and opportunities of being early adopters of the technology, and what they’re planning next.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the latest Global Dairy Trade report out this week, the impacts of what’s happening overseas will be on farmers' minds. We chat to those with an eye on the global pulse about what New Zealand dairy farmers can expect for the rest of the year, and into 2025.  Guests include: Stu Davison, Senior Manager, Global Market Insights, HighGround Dairy Chris McCullough, Irish Journalist Cristina Alvarado, Commercial Manager - Data & Insights, NZX Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Senior Manager of Global Market Insights Stu Davison discusses the trade climate in the United States at the moment, and the impact the current election will have on worldwide dairy trade; the USA is currently the fourth largest trade destination for New Zealand dairy. He also discusses the US consumer demand for high protein foods which is great news for dairy, and how challenges like bird-flu and blue-tongue will impact global trade. Irish Journalist Chris McCullough gives an update from Ireland, about what’s happening over there as the summer season wraps up, including milk prices and the impact of new regulations around the environment and live exports. Cristina Alvarado of the NZX discusses the GDT report out this week. She says the results show that the results are higher than a year ago, and the demand for dairy products is still there. She also discusses how global trade routes have been disrupted, and what this means for New Zealand.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A busy calving season is underway across the country, and for farmers calf nutrition will be top of mind. In this episode we look at the different ways to develop your calf’s rumen, to raise healthy and feed-efficient cows.  Hear from Jacqueline McGowan from DairyNZ about developing the rumen; Grant Jackson from SealesWinslow about raising feed-efficient cows; and Penelope Drysdale, a Manawatū farmer, about how integrating an organics system has benefitted her herd’s health.  Guests include: Jacqueline McGowan, Senior Solutions & Development Specialist, DairyNZ Grant Jackson, General Manager, SealesWinslow Penelope Drysdale, Manawatū Dairy Farmer Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media DairyNZ’s Jacqueline McGowan discusses tips for farmers during the busy calving season, especially when it comes to healthy rumen development. She discusses how they quantify development, through the size of the rumen, and how that links to animal health and welfare codes. She says the key is to make sure the calves aren’t having too much change at once.  CEO of SealesWinslow Grant Jackson discusses the importance of getting calf nutrition right, as we go into calving season, and how the proper development of the rumen in replacement heifer calves is essential for breeding feed-efficient cows. This in turn means the cows can convert feed into milk effectively, reduce waste, lower feed costs, and boost overall productivity.  For tips to get the most out of starch in your calf-rearing programme talk to your local SealesWinslow Technical Sales Rep and check out the valuable tips on the SealesWinslow website here. Manawatū Dairy Farmer Penelope Drysdale discusses their journey to transitioning to an organic system, and how calf rearing fits into that, to make sure they’re getting the best nutrition. She says mimicking what the mother cow would do is the best for developing resilience in their calves.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers are increasingly being asked to be as efficient as possible in order to meet emissions and environmental obligations – but what tools are out there to get started, and maintain, efficiency goals? In this episode we look at how dedicated farm reporting can improve efficiency onfarm, and put the tools in farmers hands. Also we get an update on the changes to the Fonterra Farm Insights reports.  Guests include: Laura Cookson, Project Manager (Environment), Fonterra Scott Townshend, CEO & Founder, Trev Jason Christensen, Nestlé Project Farmer Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Fonterra’s Laura Cookson discusses how there has been an increased link between customers and onfarm projects, and the impact this has had on the demand for farm efficiency. This includes the development of tools and services, to help farmers, which could help them meet emissions reduction targets set by the likes of Nestlé. Trev’s CEO Scott Townshend discusses why there has been a recent emphasis on efficiency onfarm, and why Fonterra have decided to partner with Trev to help farmers on their efficiency journey. He discusses how recording data and benchmarking these results can provide insights and “windows of opportunity” for farmers.  Dairy Farmer Jason Christensen has been part of a Nestlé trial into farm efficiency and driving down emissions, and discusses his experience. He discusses the quick wins he’s had onfarm, and some of his longer term goals.  Find out more about how a Trev subscription could work on your farm at mytrev.com Listen to the Barenbrug Podcast: Better Pastures Together here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A jump in the payout forecast could signal dairy is again going to do the heavy lifting for the country’s struggling economy and brighter times could be on the horizon. So it’s a good time to look at what’s happening in global markets and what tools are available here to give farmers an edge onfarm. In this episode we talk to Southland Sharemilker Anieka Templer about equity partnerships and wearable technology; RaboResearch’s Stefan Vogel at the NZIPIM Conference about how the global markets are stacking up; and agribusiness consultant James Allen about the role of farm advisors.  Guests include: Anieka Templer, Sharemilker Stefan Vogel, General Manager, RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand James Allen, CEO & Agribusiness Consultant, AgFirst Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Southland Sharemilker Anieka Templer discusses why they decided to introduce wearables with the Allflex cow collars, and how that has benefited their system, and what data they’ve been able to collect. She says it's completely changed how they manage their time onfarm, including being able to focus on other projects.  RaboResearch Australia & New Zealand’s General Manager Stefan Vogel gives an update on what dairy farmers can expect in the next twelve months with overseas export markets and discusses why shipping prices are so high at the moment.  He also discusses how the Chinese are favouring sustainably sourced, and therefore healthy, food, which has become more important to them post-Covid. He warns that this doesn’t mean they’re likely to pay a premium for New Zealand products yet.  Farm consultant James Allen spoke at the NZIPIM Conference last week, and discusses the current role of farm consultants as farming gets more complex. He says the advisory role has evolved into supporting compliance from an independent viewpoint, or it could be around helping with consents management and nutritional advice. He also discusses how farmers can use data to influence onfarm decisions, with the help of their farm advisors, and also the future role of AI on our farms. .  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) conference was held at Mystery Creek this week, a celebration of the rural professionals supporting our agriculture industry.  Sheryl Haitana talks to the President and Chief Executive of NZIPIM about how they see themselves as a conduit to growing the industry, and the winner of Rural Professional of the Year about his work educating the next generation at Lincoln University. Also hear from Dr Jenny Webster-Brown about the Our Land & Water project, and what farmers can learn from it now about the role of land use on water quality.  Guests include: Rob Macnab, President, & Jo Finer, Chief Executive New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) Dr Jenny Webster-Brown, Water Quality Specialist and Director, Our Land And Water  Dan Smith, Lincoln University, and NZIPIM Rural Professional of the Year Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Jo Finer and Rob Macnab from NZIPIM discuss what role the NZIPIM plays in the primary industries, how rural professionals can get involved, and what the benefits of it are.  They discuss the importance of collaboration in the sector to continue growing New Zealand’s primary industries sector, and the role they see themselves playing in that. Water Quality Specialist and Director of Our Land And Water Dr Jenny Webster-Brown discusses the Our Land And Water project which is now finishing. She says it was set up to look at both how we improve freshwater quality, and how land use fits into that. The aim is to provide information to show those who can make changes what land use would be better, and what impact that would have on water quality, so that those who either have to or want to improve their environmental performance, have options.  A new eight-part podcast series highlights a range of presentations from the project, hosted by Dr Jenny Webster-Brown. You can listen to it here. Lincoln University Agribusiness and Rural Management Lincoln Dan Smith won the NZIPIM Rural Professional of the Year. He discusses his journey to where he is today, from starting his career as a truck driver, to studying at Lincoln, and going into the banking industry. He is now back at Lincoln University as a lecturer, and shares some of his wisdom for those wanting to get into the rural professional space.  He also discusses the WellMates Programme he’s been part of at Lincoln University, to educate our future farmers and rural professionals about looking after themselves and others when it comes to their wellbeing and mental health.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The health of the herd is front of mind for dairy farmers, especially with the calving season underway. Issues like lameness can be costly and disruptive for a herd, so how do farmers keep ahead of the problem in the first place? We talk to those who know animal health best, including vets and researchers, to discuss what proactive solutions are out there to either minimise or prevent lameness in the first place.  We also catch up with our own Sarah Perriam-Lampp, to get her insights whilst in Europe including a visit to Nestle and their thoughts on gene editing. Guests include: Winston Mason, Epidemiologist & Director, EpiVets Austin Heffernan, Commercial Sales Manager, New Zealand SenseHub Pauline Calvert, Livestock Business Unit Director, MSD Animal Health New Zealand Krispin Kannan, Integrated Solutions Veterinarian, Vet Ent Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media Epidemiologist and director of EpiVets Winston Mason has been part of a research project into lameness in cows, and the impacts of it on fertility and longevity. In a project that wrapped up recently, he looked at cases of lameness regionally, country-wide, and internationally to see if there were any trends. He says it isn’t a matter of reducing lameness across the country, it’s about identifying problem farms and providing assistance to them to fix the problem.  He says cows that have previously had lameness are more likely to have permanent damage in their hooves, and therefore are likely to get it again – he’d like to see treatment used as a preventative tool, so the problem doesn’t start in the first place. Find out more about DairyNZ’s lameness tools MSD Animal Health uses the power of leading-edge science to offer farmers and veterinarians alike an innovative range of veterinary products, such as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and health management solutions. Commercial Sales Manager Austin Heffernan and Livestock Business Unit Lead Pauline Calvert discuss these technologies, and how farmers can utilise them on their farm system. They say that making tools easy to use has been front of mind, so farmers can easily apply them in their busy farm systems. These include options such as wearable devices, to monitor the health, wellbeing and performance of animals.  Find out more from MSD Animal Health: For SenseHub Dairy Monitoring visit www.sensehub.co.nz  Allflex Identification Solutions visit www.allflex.co.nz  Animal Health solutions visit https://www.msd-animal-health.co.nz/  Veterinarian Krispin Kannan discusses how wearable devices on cows help provide data to vets that build a picture of the cow’s health and life. It can help pick up on factors like change in diet, temperature, and fertility to help vets diagnose what is wrong with a cow when they treat them.  With all the new technology in mind, he says it still requires a human to interpret all of this data to know what it means practically, and how to treat problems that arise, such as lameness.  Follow Krispin on Instagram here Read more from the Dairy Exporter: Detecting lameness Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Milk price makes up over 50% of risk in a dairy farm business, and increasingly more farmers are adopting milk hedging options to make their income less risky. Some 20-25% of dairy farmers and manufacturers are using milk hedging tools, but how do farmers find out where to start, and what the risks are?  Hear from experts on some key points to be aware of on various hedging options, and from a farmer who has been fixing his milk price for years. Guests include: James Atkinson, Derivatives Sales Manager, NZX David Jensen, Bay of Plenty Farmer Brett Wooffindin, Director, Lawson Avery Limited Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter NZX Derivatives Sales Manager James Atkinson says it takes time for those in the dairy space to develop and understand the tools they have, to manage the risks from milk pricing. He discusses the difference between Milk Price Futures and Milk Price Options, and the benefits and risks of both. He says these tools are generally harder to understand, so it’s been encouraging to see an uptake in the number of farmers using them. Bay of Plenty farmer David and Lesly Jensen have been farming just over 700 cows on the family farm since 1992. He’s been fixing milk prices since Fonterra first offered it some time ago, and having spent time in the Northern Hemisphere observed that it's very normal for farmers there to fix their biggest prices: milk and feed.  Their business also includes kiwifruit, which he says has far more fluctuation than pastoral farming, so fixing costs is a good way to minimise risk across the business.  Director of Lawson Avery Limited Brett Woofindin says rapidly rising interest rates caught a lot of people by surprise, and a lot didn’t have a chance to lock them in before they got too high. As a result, they’re seeing a lot of farmers struggling with the interest growing on their debt, and a lot are left floating. He discusses different strategies farmers can use to fix costs, to navigate these tough times as best suits their farm business.  He advises farmers to talk to their accountants or bankers about how best to manage risk within their business. Links mentioned in this episode: Watch: The NZX webinar from the NZIPIM Conference Watch: NZX hedging academy videos Read more from the Dairy Exporter: Fixing a future Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maintaining a fifth-generation farm is no small feat, and the Stewart family farm just out of Palmerston North is a great example of how to keep the family business running into the future. Sheryl talks to both the fourth and fifth generations of Stewarts on the farm, with projects ranging from transitioning to dairy, investing time and money into regenerative native bush, and building a boutique accommodation service.  Guests include: James & Debbie Stewart, fifth generation farmers, Stewart Dairylands Dave Stewart, fourth generation farmer Jan Stewart & Julia Moretti, Hiwinui Country Estate Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Manawatu farmers James and Debbie Stewart discuss how they transitioned the family farm from a sheep stud to dairy back in the early 2000s. James says one of the key things for them was stepping back from a production focussed mindset, and looking at what systems suit their land, their animals, and their environmental goals.  They also discuss the process of winning the Ballance Farm Environment Award, and how the process of putting their farm system under the microscope was rewarding. It helped them quantify certain goals and ideas already on their minds, like a composting barn and a regenerating forest.  Dave Stewart is the fourth generation on the Stewart Family farm, and discusses the ways himself and his father integrated ecological practices into their farm system, such as regenerating native tree plantings in favour of macrocarpa. They’ve built these in blocks around the farm as ”nutrient-interceptor beds”.  He shares tips on how other farmers can get started with regenerative plantings on their farms, and his journey joining up with the local community for support.  Jan Stewart and her daughter Julia Moretti run the boutique accommodation business on the Stewart Family Farm. Jan and Dave started the business with a lodge when Julia was a teenager, and after spending time in London, Julia moved back home to raise her daughter and be part of the family business.  They have a good mix of international and domestic visitors, who share a common interest in seeing farm life first-hand on this multi-generational farm.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here Links mentioned in this podcast: Listen: Barenbrug’s ‘Better Pastures Together” podcast series Listen: Episode 19 - How do we tackle regenerating biodiversity on our farms? Listen: Episode 13 – Are biodiversity credits the golden ticket to more native trees vs pine trees? Read: Regenerating nature through collaboration SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the third episode of our genetic modification and genetic engineering discussion series, hear from two different sides of the debate, on what the risks are of introducing GE into our market, and how these risks could be managed and identified.  Guests include: Jon Carapiet, Spokesperson, GE Free New Zealand  Dr Alec Foster, Biotech Industry Lead, Scion  Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter Jon Carapiet says overseas, American markets have been forced to accept cross contamination of genetically modified products with organics, and we shouldn’t take that as a sign to follow suit here. He says the non-GE market is growing by 12% a year on-going until 2032, and for New Zealand it’s important to be able to stay in that market.  He discusses how it’s very hard to come back from introducing GE into the food system, and in places like America it’s as simple as the pollen being spread by bees, it is no longer GE free.  Dr Alec Foster of Scion is at the coalface of the changes to NZ’s GE & GM regulations, in his role on the advisory committee. He likens the need to embrace GE technologies to the way we’re starting to integrate AI technology into our workspaces. He says even though our strict regulations might not have been a problem in the past, they will become a problem going forward.  He says if NZ doesn’t adopt these biotechnologies we will get left behind.  Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here Further reading on this topic: Predicted multispecies unintended effects from outdoor genome editing Non GMO Food Market Size, Trends & Growth US Polls on GE Food Labelling SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government has announced a bill will be introduced to parliament this year to change rules and regulations to genetic modification. Access to genetic modification technologies globally already exists, and in this episode we talk to chief executive of Grasslanz Technology John Caradus about what we can learn from overseas, to develop the best system for New Zealand and the work already underway to develop GE forages for farmers here.  Guests include: John Caradus, CEO, Grasslanz Technology Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter John Caradus says any new regulations need to be risk based and take into account risks to the environment, native wildlife and human health as well as farm systems. He discusses the issues that have faced producers overseas in finding ways for organic farmers to coexist with those wanting to use genetic modification in their crops. He says we should learn from their experiences, but that arable farmers growing specialty seed crops here also have valuable insights into how to stop cross contamination.   John explains the introduction of this bill is important because at the moment, while scientists can do experiments within glasshouses and laboratories, they can’t do research in real life conditions to test how plants would perform in NZ. Find out more about the NZIPIM Conference 2024 here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With changes to gene editing regulations being signaled by the government, it’s time to have the conversation on why and how this would benefit New Zealand growers, and the general public.  But according to a survey 26% of growers don’t know how they feel about a change in regulations, which begs the question - are we having the right conversations about what gene editing means?  Guests include: Dr Tony Conner, Emeritus Scientist, AgResearch Liz Morley, Account Director, Research First  Hosts: Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter AgResearch emeritus scientist Dr Tony Conner has been the fact checker for our Special Report on genetic modification (GM) and gene editing (GE). He walks us through our glossary of terms and explains the difference between genetic modification, genetic engineering and gene editing. He's also stepping us through how gene editing and technologies such as CRISPR work.  Tony Conner says it’s important the current regulations are updated because they are no longer relevant to the new techniques. Gene editing can now allow more precise breeding techniques to be used, but that’s being restricted under the regulations while less precise techniques – such as using radiation to cause more random mutations – is not. Anne Lee also talks to Liz Morley from Research First about our exclusive survey into the understanding and perceptions of farmers and growers on genetic modification and gene editing. It's the first time farmers and growers have been surveyed on this issue and Liz and her team have compared those views with the recent surveys they've done on the general population. Almost 60% of farmers and growers want the regulations to be changed, according to the survey. Liz Morley says the results from the survey show the level of understanding about the technology is low and there’s a need for more education. Farmers and growers, though, have relatively high levels of acceptance of the technology being used in New Zealand, particularly if it is used to solve environmental issues such as methane emissions. Read the Dairy Exporter Exclusive Survey results here Find out more about the NZIPIM Conference 2024 here. Buy the Dairy Exporter Spring Issue here SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY) SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.