Talking Dairy

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...

New Zealand’s reputation for producing sustainable, high-quality food is closely tied to how animals are cared for across the farming system. One of the sector’s ongoing challenges – and opportunities – is how non‑replacement dairy calves are managed. In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the newly launched Dairy Beef Opportunities programme, a cross-sector initiative designed to lift the v...

Strong advice plays an important role in confident decision‑making. As farming continues to change, the way advice is shaped, shared, and supported matters more than ever.  In this Talking Dairy episode, you’ll hear how strong, well‑connected advisors help farmers grow their businesses, and why investing in advisor capability lifts outcomes right across the sector. Jo Finer from the Institute of R...

When the pressure is on, having the right support makes all the difference. In this episode of Talking Dairy, we hear directly from the organisation supporting farmers through challenging times. Rural Support Trust national chair Michelle Ruddell joins DairyNZ people specialist Jane Muir to discuss the common pressures they’re seeing across dairy communities and what they do to ensure the right he...

Global conflict can feel a long way from the farm gate until it starts showing up in your fuel bill, freight costs and next season’s budget. In this episode, you hear from DairyNZ economist Mark Storey and farm system specialist Mark Speight about what the escalation of global conflict could mean for your farm business over the months ahead. They share insights into why fuel and freight costs are...

What can dairy learn from the way horticulture uses robotics and automation?  In this episode, we're joined by Professor Mike Duke from the University of Waikato, recorded at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference where he was a keynote speaker. He works in horticulture robotics, and his insights translate to the challenges faced on farm. Mike talks about how new thinking around automati...

When effluent systems are designed and run well, they support your whole farm.  In this episode of Talking Dairy, Debbie Care from AgVice and Shaun Hazelton from DairyNZ share insights into how to set your effluent system up to improve productivity, make the most out of valuable nutrients and protect your business over the long-term. This conversation looks at what’s involved in establishing good...

Recorded live at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. In this episode, Dr Claudia Kamphuis cuts through the noise around data and shows you how to turn information into something of value. Drawing on her keynote presentation from the conference, she explains how smarter data use is speeding up breakthroughs and what that means for your everyday decisions. You’ll he...

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, bring...

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, bett...

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:...

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, w...

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 m...

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...

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 kno...

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 a...

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?...

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...