Talking Dairy

Good pasture management can have a big influence on farm profitability and getting the basics right can make a real difference. Dairy farmer and Dairy Training tutor Courtney Goodare shares the fundamentals of what to measure, what to look for and how to use that information to make better grazing decisions heading into summer.  More information:   Increasing feed that is grown and eaten on-farm i...

How closely are you watching what’s left behind after the cows leave the paddock? Hayden Gaines, host farmer at Glentui in Northern Southland, joins DairyNZ Senior Farm Systems Specialist Ron Pellow to revisit the pasture decisions that got farmers talking at the Pasture to Profit event.  From Hayden’s “brutal” spring pasture allocation and 12 years of farm data to managing a sudden surplus, they...

What will the replacement of the Resource Management Act (RMA) mean for your farm, consents and future plans? David Cooper from the DairyNZ policy team talks with barrister Patrick Senior, who has worked with DairyNZ during the reform process. They discuss the new Natural Environment Act and Planning Act, what farmers need to be aware of during the transition from the RMA, and what it means for ex...

What do high-performing farmers do differently, regardless of the farm production system they run? DairyNZ farm systems specialists Mark Speight and Steve Veix share findings from the Farm Systems Review, which looked at successful farm businesses across different regions and production systems. They discuss the practical things these farmers have in common, including how they manage pasture and s...

How do you build a team that can assess pasture consistently, spot changing conditions and act early? Host Mark Williams talks with Mick O’Connor from Dairy Holdings about how to strengthen pasture decisions across your farm team with lessons learnt from his 20 years in dairy farming and overseeing 10 farms. They discuss teaching pasture assessment, how to build confidence and keep everyone aligne...

What does a beef finisher need from the calves you breed? Annie O’Callaghan of Temataa Station and Jo Sheridan of Owl Farm bring together two sides of the dairy-beef supply chain. They discuss Owl Farm’s dairy-beef programme, Annie’s experience buying and finishing calves, and how genetics, colostrum, calf health and traceability influence value. They also cover finding the right buyer, agreeing o...

How do you keep your pasture and profit goals on track when your farming situation changes? In 2024, Leighton and Hayley Parker hosted around 280 people at a Pasture Summit event on their Canterbury farm. Their business stood out for strong cost control and profitability, high pasture use and production, and improved reproductive performance. Two years on, they’re farming somewhere different. Leig...

Kim Robinson from Agfirst and Dr Paul Edwards from DairyNZ join Willie McKnight to discuss findings from a multi-season trial comparing different supplementary feeding systems. They explore the full cost of producing extra milksolids, from feed costs through to the wider impacts on your farm system, and share insights to help you assess whether extra feed is delivering value for your business. Lin...

New results from a four-year trial show plantain reduced annual nitrate leaching by an average of 33% while maintaining milk production. In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Kate Fransen from DairyNZ and Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane discuss what the findings mean for dairy farmers, how the research compares with on-farm experience, and the practical considerations when including plantain i...

In this episode, Julian Reti Kaukau sits down with Ahuwhenua judges Rito (Basil) Tapuke and Peter Ettema to get a behind-the-scenes look at what judges notice when they visit a farm. They explain why bigger does not necessarily mean better, what stands out beyond the numbers, and how strong governance, clear decision-making and alignment between owners, trustees and farm teams can shape performanc...

In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Jac McGowan talks with DairyNZ's Forage Value Index (FVI) research project manager, Janet Montgomery, about the next phase of FVI research. Find out what researchers aim to find, the plans for the FVI tool, and the trial that’s underway to gather more evidence about ryegrass cultivar performance. Links: What's important in your pasture and how do y...

What helps pastures persist through changing conditions? One year into the Resilient Pastures Programme, we look at what's being learnt so far and how farmers are helping shape research designed to improve pasture persistence, productivity and resilience. Hear from scientists Dr Elena Minnee and Dr Lydia Farrell, and Northland farmer Allister McCahon about the challenges driving this work, th...

In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, you’ll hear how a few timely checks can help you stay ahead of mastitis as cows calve, settle into milking, and move through spring.  DairyNZ’s Dr Jane Lacy-Hulbert shares practical guidance on what to watch for, when to involve your vet, and how better information can support clearer decisions on farm. You’ll also hear how refreshed mastitis management reso...

In this episode, Tracy Brown, DairyNZ board chair, Brian Anderton, DairyNZ government relations manager, and Leighton Parker, dairy farmer and Dairy Environment Leader, discuss what farmers are asking for ahead of the 2026 General Election, and how those needs have shaped DairyNZ’s six priorities for practical, evidence-backed policy that supports sustainable growth. Find out more: Read about the...

Before someone steps onto your farm after travelling overseas, what do you ask them? Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) isn’t in New Zealand, and we all want to keep it that way. But with outbreaks overseas and more people travelling or visiting farms, now is a good time to check your visitor process is clear and easy to follow. In this episode, Fi Roberts, DairyNZ head of biosecurity, and Mitch Cooper,...

When a cow goes down, a clear plan helps you act early, support her recovery and keep your team moving during one of the busiest times of the season. In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Mitch Cooper shares what to do when a cow goes down, how to spot when things are changing, and why clear communication can make a real difference at calving. You’ll also learn about the “pattern of two” — a sim...

You don’t need all the answers to start thinking about what comes next. Recorded live at People Expo, this Talking Dairy In 10 episode puts progression and succession in the spotlight, with Jac McGowan joined by Greg Duncan from Dairy Australia. Whether you’re thinking about your own next step, the future of your farm business, or the people coming through, this short episode is a good starting po...

Power costs continue to rise, and a lot of farmers are asking the same question: could solar work on my farm? In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris McArthur from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Solar on Farms programme and Rhys Mackenzie, a dairy farmer who’s making the move to solar on his farm. Together, they talk through what solar and batteries can realistically do...

El Niño is getting a lot of attention, but what could it mean for your farm this season? In this episode, we cut through the noise with WeatherWatch’s Philip Duncan and farm systems expert Steve Veix. They share what to keep an eye on and where to focus your planning, so you’re better prepared for whatever the season brings. Find out more: Plan ahead for El Nino | DairyNZ Weather channels: Rural W...

Earlier this year, Hinehou Timutimu was named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and became the first Māori woman to receive the award. But this episode is about more than an award. It is about the whānau, whenua, values and experiences that shaped her, the doors that were opened for her, and the doors she now wants to open for others. With Brooke Sinclair and Jac McGowan, she reflects on l...

Waiuku dairy farmer, and Dairy Environment Leader, Stu Muir has spent years restoring waterways, protecting the land and helping reconnect people with the Lower Waikato River Delta. In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what inspired him to take action on his farm and across the Mangati Stream catchment, where once degraded, weed-choked waterways are now thriving ecosystems. Stu was r...

The weeks around calving can have a big influence on cow health, production and reproductive performance. In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks and dairy cattle vet Ryan Luckman discuss the latest advice on transition cow care, including DairyNZ’s updated feeding guidance for springers at target body condition score.  They also look at the role of rumination data and wearables — wh...

Are you thinking about what’s next for you or your farm business?  Planning the next stage in dairy farming is unique to you. Honest conversations and the right tools can bring clarity and arm you with the confidence to move forward.  In this episode, high-performance coach and People Expo 2026 headline speaker James Laughlin shares a preview of what he’ll cover at this year’s events. He talks abo...

Are you feeding your calves enough to unlock their full potential? In this episode, you’ll hear what the latest research says about early calf nutrition, and why feeding more milk before weaning can help your heifers hit growth targets sooner and produce more milk later.  You’ll also hear from Canterbury farmer Cam Henderson, who’s made the shift to ad-lib feeding. He shares what’s changed, what s...

Winter will test your system, but a clear plan helps you stay in control. In this episode, DairyNZ Environment Manager Justin Kitto shares practical advice to help you set up a winter grazing plan that works when conditions turn. You’ll hear why putting a written plan in place matters, and how simple practices like back-fencing and smart water placement can protect your paddocks and improve cow co...