DAIRY Country

A volatile start to 2026 has put global dairy markets back in the spotlight, with a sharp lift in the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction offering some early-year optimism for farmers. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Stu Davison from HighGround Dairy to unpack what’s behind the 6.3% rebound in the GDT index after a prolonged run of declines. Stu explains how aggressive buying from the Midd...

This special episode of Dairy Country, powered by MSD Animal Health, dives into how SenseHub Dairy is reshaping modern herd management through real-time insights and connected on-farm technology.  Taranaki farmer Ed Whiting shares how adopting SenseHub Dairy has transformed the way he and his family run their system, lifting animal health, streamlining decision-making, and giving them greater...

The future of dairy is data-driven, with New Zealand farmers exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools can transform efficiency, animal welfare and sustainability. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Cameron Henderson, DairyNZ deputy chair and North Canterbury dairy farmer, Peter Morgan, Waikato dairy farmer, Dr Joao Dorea, Assistant Professor at the University of Wisconsin&nd...

The race to a net zero dairy farm is on, with Taranaki’s Net Zero Pilot Dairy Farm trialling ways to lower emissions while maintaining profitability. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Talia Grala from Fonterra’s On-Farm Excellence team about the progress at the Net Zero Pilot Dairy Farm in Taranaki. The 250ha farm is a partnership with Nestlé and is run in conjunction wit...

The South Island dairy land market is heating up, with a record $87,000/ha paid at auction for a Canterbury dairy farm in November. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Paul Mills, director and valuer with Property Advisory, about the momentum in South Island dairy land sales and the shifts shaping this season’s market. He reflects on the lift in Canterbury’s top-tier values, standout...

North Canterbury dairy farmer Stuart Neill, winner of the 2025 Canterbury Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards, reflects on the long-term changes that have shaped his business. Farming 200 hectares near Culverden, he has built a resilient, pasture-focused system anchored in simplicity, environmental stewardship, and strong people management. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with S...

Taranaki dairy farmer Martin Keegan, winner of the 2025 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards Farm Manager of the Year, shares how entering the competition became a turning point in his career. Farming alongside his fiancée’s family and managing 246 cows on 94 hectares, he has built a system focused on stock health, efficiency, and people. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Martin abou...

Global supply shifts and changing demand are shaping the outlook for New Zealand dairy prices, according to NZX Dairy Insights Head, Cristina Alvarado, fresh from the SGX-NZX Global Dairy Seminar in Singapore and International Dairy Federation World Dairy Summit in Santiago, Chile. Anne Lee speaks with Cristina, she shares what global trends could mean for milk prices in the months ahead. In this...

Global market insights and on-the-ground observations are shaping the perspective of dairy analyst Stu Davison. He recently returned from China and shares what he saw in the evolving bakery and dairy sectors, and what it could mean for New Zealand farmers and milk prices. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Stu about the scale and sophistication of Chinese dairy processing, shifting consumer hab...

Simple, repeatable systems are proving to be a winning formula for North Otago couple Peter and Emma Smit. They spoke at a Pasture Summit field day earlier this year and shared just what those systems entail and how they achieve top-performing financial returns.  In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Peter about the low cost, pasture focused system that keeps their costs down and profitabilit...

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) is refocussing its strategy and making changes to several of its farm practices this season including the 10-in-seven milking regime, establishing and using plantain and its replacement rate policy.  In this episode, Anne Lee catches up with Antoinette Archer from the South Island Dairying Development Centre (SIDDC) and LUDF manager Peter Hancox to review...

Peter McBride sees Fonterra’s proposed sale of its consumer business as a pivotal step in refocusing the co-operative’s strategy and strengthening long-term farmer returns. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with the Fonterra Chairman about the rationale behind the sale to Lactalis, what’s included in the deal, and how it aligns with the co-op’s vision to concentrate on ingre...

Bruce Thorrold sees a wave of scientific opportunity on the horizon, with breakthroughs in methane reduction and genetic innovation set to reshape the future of New Zealand dairying. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ’s former Chief Science Adviser, as he reflects on his career and his move into semi-retirement. Bruce shares insights from his recent presentation...

Cow wearables can provide a treasure trove of information, and for South Canterbury farmer Tom Lambie, the technology has delivered some real gems that have led to big gains in productivity and performance. In this episode of Dairy Country, Anne speaks with Tom Lambie, his contract milker Eric Tao-ey, and veterinarian Ryan Luckman about unlocking the potential of cow wearables. They share how coll...

Focusing on small incremental improvements alongside genetics are what is helping Pāmu deliver strong results and improve animal health. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Pāmu Chief Operating Officer Will Burrett. He discusses Pāmu’s strong annual results, regional integration, and disciplined farm systems, as well as the beef-on-dairy programme. Will explains how genetics, technology, a...

Anne Lee speaks with Jonathan Mason and Emma Higgins at the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) conference. Jonathan discusses US tariffs, trade dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and Fonterra’s strategic focus on ingredients, food service, and capital returns. Emma explores “business as unusual,” the changing trade landscape, global dairy and beef trends, supply s...

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with William Morrison from Morrison Farming about supplying beef genetics to the dairy industry. He explains how decades of performance recording have produced easy-calving, fast-growing cattle, why reliability matters most for dairy farmers, and what to expect from the upcoming Ardo Hereford sale on 23 September. Host: Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor...

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with North Canterbury sharemilkers Holly and Aaron Jackson about their dramatic reduction in mastitis early in their career and how they’ve managed to maintain award winning milk quality year after year ever since. They also share a very personal motivation for doing all they can to minimise antibiotic resistance.  Holly and Aaron explain their use of inn...

Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Dr. Jason Archer, Head of Genetics, Beef + Lamb NZ   Jason Archer talks to Anne Lee about the need for better integration of beef genetics into the dairy sector to create a more profitable and sustainable system for both dairy and beef farmers. He explains that tracking calf performance, genetics, and management practices along the value...

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks to Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub, and Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist at DairyNZ. Andrea provides a background on the farm’s history, how it’s set up, what’s on the agenda over the coming season and HubWatch - an easy to access, online way of getting the latest information from the Southern Dairy Hub. Dawn explains the late...

In this episode, hear from LeAnne Blakelock - a Taranaki dairy farmer turning a long-standing challenge into a high-value opportunity by launching a rose veal brand from her non-replacement calves.  Drawing on her background in accounting and food production, LeAnne explains how she and husband Ian use targeted genetics and growth programmes to produce high-welfare veal. She also shares insig...

In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to mark 100 years of dairy innovation.  From the early days of walk-through sheds to today’s AI-enabled systems, they explore how farmer-led ingenuity, scientific research and trusted rural media like Dairy Exporter have driven progr...

In this episode, Anne Lee and Sheryl Haitana reflect on the innovation, resilience and spirit that have shaped New Zealand’s dairy industry. From breakthroughs like the herringbone shed to the rise of virtual fencing, they explore how grassroots ingenuity and trusted rural media have driven on farm progress.  FMG’s Chief Marketing Officer, Pete Frizzell, marks 120 years of the mut...

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Fonterra’s Jim van der Poel about the evolution of New Zealand’s dairy industry. Jim reflects on the formation of Fonterra, capital structure reform, and the creation of DairyNZ, while highlighting the enduring value of the co-operative model and the Dairy Exporter’s role in guiding farmers through change. Buy the Dairy Exporter 100 Year Colle...

In this episode, Sheryl Haitana talks with industry leaders about the evolution of dairy genetics in New Zealand. LIC Chief Executive, David Chin discusses Breeding Worth and the rise of the KiwiCross cow, while Mike Wilson, General Manager of NEDAP Oceania explains how wearable tech improves herd health and fertility. Fonterra Strategic Advisor, Malcolm Ellis shares an intergenerational view, hig...