DAIRY Country

Dr Ajmal Khan has spent more than a decade researching calf rearing, investigating how early-life nutrition and management influence the health, productivity and lifetime performance of dairy animals. Anne Lee speaks with the Bioeconomy Science Institute scientist about his latest research into colostrum management, milk feeding and pre-weaning growth, and why getting those first days and weeks ri...

Fraser Tasker has spent the past several years refining a grass-based wintering system on his Mid Canterbury dairy support block, replacing traditional fodder beet and kale wintering for his mixed-age cows. Anne Lee speaks with Fraser about what prompted the change, how the system operates and the practical lessons he's learnt along the way. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest:...

Extended lactation is emerging as a potential option for dairy farmers looking to reduce labour pressure, improve flexibility and significantly cut the number of non-replacement calves being born each year. Anne Lee speaks with DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards about the research behind the system and the results emerging from farmlet trials at Scott Farm and a new study in Northland. Host:...

Willesden Farms is a diverse Canterbury farming business, spanning more than 6,500 hectares across Banks Peninsula, Kaitorete Spit and the Canterbury Plains. Anne Lee speaks with General Manager Matt Iremonger about the evolution of the farming operation, its recent dairy expansion and the role innovation is playing in improving both productivity and environmental outcomes. Host: Anne Lee, Senior...

West Coast dairy farmer Charlotte Aitken has taken an unconventional path to farm ownership, moving from a career in international banking in London to running her own dairy farm near Karamea. Anne Lee speaks with Charlotte about her journey into dairy farming, the financial discipline that underpins her business and the management decisions that have helped her build a profitable farming operatio...

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has completed another challenging season, with wet spring and summer conditions affecting pasture utilisation, feed management and production across the farm. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Antoinette Archer and Peter Hancox about the season, the farm’s wintering strategy and the management decisions made to prepare for the year ahead. Host: Anne L...

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is one of the most serious biosecurity threats facing livestock industries worldwide, with South Africa’s recent outbreak highlighting the devastating impact it can have on commercial dairy farms. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Georgie Muller, Steve Moss and Andrew Morphew about the rapid spread of the disease, its impact on dairy businesses and the urgent...

Technology, AI and environmental markets are creating new opportunities for rural businesses and farmers, with platforms designed to simplify recruitment, trading and carbon projects becoming increasingly relevant across the sector. In this episode from the Wānaka A&P Show Agri Exchange, Anne Lee speaks with Tony Dodunski from Ag Assist and Mitchell McLaughlin from MyNativeForest about how the...

Cow prices and livestock values are front of mind across the dairy sector right now, with strong market demand, rising confidence and shifting tax implications all shaping decisions for farmers buying, selling or expanding herds. In this episode of the Dairy Country podcast, Anne Lee speaks with Chris Lewis from BakerAg, Jamie Cunninghame, National Dairy Specialist at PGG Wrightson, and Trudi Ball...

There’s been a lot of talk when it comes to the new wave of dairy conversions but what’s really going on in terms of design and fitout?  In this episode Anne Lee speaks with Tambo consultant Luke Palmer about what setups farmers are favouring, what they should be aware of when planning and what costs are on the rise. Tambo is an agribusiness management and consultancy company that...

The Science for Farmers tent at the Wānaka A&P Show this year gave farmers a great chance to see and hear about a wide range of research as well as ways that’s being implemented on farms. Dairy Country Podcast host Anne Lee was there and talked to Danny Donaghy of Massey University, Pāmu’s Head of Sustainability Sam Bridgman, and LIC Senior Herd Improvement Specialist Simon Worth....

A closer look at how wearable technology is reshaping animal health highlights just how quickly on-farm decision making is evolving, and why early intervention is becoming increasingly achievable. Veterinarian at Kaipara Farm Vets, Rory Dean, unpacks a real-time case study, explaining how collar data revealed a sudden drop in rumination and feed intake, signalling a serious internal issue before i...

The episode is dedicated to the late Dr Dave Leathwick, AgResearch parasitologist, scientist and champion for the battle against drench resistance . A closer look at drench resistance in dairy systems highlights how rapidly conventional parasite control methods are becoming less effective and why farmers need to take a more strategic approach. WormWise programme manager and veterinarian Ginny Dodu...

A deep dive into the data on substitution rates based on real measurements reveals just how careful farmers need to be when it comes to budgeting on the returns from supplementary feeding. The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Dr John Roche shared his analysis at a Taranaki Pasture Summit field day in late 2025 and in this podcast episode he steps listeners through his findings, explain...

Lynaire Ryan from Agribusiness Education and Paul Bird from DairyNZ are focused on helping farmers build long-term wealth by improving financial understanding and making better use of the tools available within the dairy industry. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about the pathways available to farmers, how different operating structures support progression, and why the sector continu...

Ben Watson and Charlotte Gray from Genez are focused on improving outcomes for dairy and beef farmers by turning dairy-origin non-replacement calves into a more valuable part of the system through better beef genetics. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about how the business has developed, where their genetics come from, and how they are working with both beef breeders and dairy farmer...

Eldon and Roseanne Megaw have built a career in dairy through contract milking while steadily growing equity in property and farm partnerships. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the couple about their journey from early farm experiences and managing roles through to investing in residential property and stepping into an equity partnership at Aranui, a fully irrigated Canterbury farm. Host: Anne...

A Brix test may mean high sugar for the horticulture sector but when it comes to measuring pasture quality, farmers are being told to look to traditional feed quality analysis by scientists who have been looking into the measure. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Dr Beverley Thomson of On-Farm Research at Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay about her study comparing Brix as a measure of pasture quality...

In this episode, Anne Lee sits down with Stu Davison of HighGround Dairy to unpack the sharp turnaround in global dairy markets and what is driving the recent surge in prices on the Global Dairy Trade platform. Drawing on his day-to-day market analysis, Stu explains why strong global milk production has not translated into weaker prices and how sentiment, geopolitics and supply chain disruption ha...

In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Jordain Beattie and Louise Gibson who break down what successful sharefarming really looks like and what it takes to build equity through contract milking and sharefarming pathways. Together, they unpack the realities behind the numbers, the importance of setting clear goals and how strong planning can help farmers step confidently into business ownership while...

In this special episode, Sarah sits down with Andrew MacPherson and Cara Sheridan to unpack the arrival of Bovillus Cryptium, a new vaccine for calves targeting cryptosporidiosis, and what it means for farmers managing calf health in New Zealand. The discussion sets the scene for why this vaccine is a game changer, how it can improve calf welfare and long-term performance, and why proactive planni...

In this episode, Anne Lee sits down with Mick and Kirsten O’Connor from Grass Gobblers to explore their journey from sharemilking to equity partnership and the simple, grass-focused system that has supported their business growth. Milking 1,000 cows near Burnham, the couple were hosts to the spring Pasture Summit field day. They share how a low-cost, pasture-based approach, combined with str...

The Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year award is designed to recognise leadership, contribution and future-focused thinking within the dairy sector, while also encouraging others to step forward and get involved. In this episode, Anne Lee sits down with award recipient Jo Sheridan to unpack her experience as the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, going through the Dairy Women’s Network proc...

Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has been taking another look at establishing plantain and how to combat weed pests. In this episode, Anne Lee finds out more about the approach from Farm Source Technical Ag Specialist Russell Hamilton and catches up with LUDF Partnership and Demonstration Lead Antoinette Archer about how the farm is performing in a tricky, cooler summer season. The conversatio...

A major research effort aimed at cutting nitrogen (N) losses without losing sight of farm viability is putting practical system change under the microscope. In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Racheal Bryant, Associate Professor at Lincoln University, about the Low-N Farmlet Trial that’s found stacking a number of N mitigations together on-farm can cut N losses by up to 50%. The multi-y...