Talking Dairy

Looking for some fresh ideas to reduce your nitrogen fertiliser use? On this episode, we chat with Waikato sharemilker Chris Numan, who with wife Rachel has made a bunch of changes to reduce both their N fertiliser use and N losses. Find out what motivated them (not regulations), what strategies they’re using, and the results they’re seeing. Plus, on an interesting tangent, we hear about Rachel’s...

Could reducing the number of milkings in a week help the dairy sector attract new staff and improve work-life balance? One farmer who’s gone to a flexible milking schedule is John Totty in Canterbury, currently starting his second full season milking 10 times in 7 days. What were his reasons for changing his milking schedule, and what kind of outcomes is he seeing? Have feedback or ideas for futur...

How did we arrive at our current wintering practices? What’s next for wintering animals on crop? And what kind of changes can you make on farm now? Find out in this episode with DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Dawn Dalley and Southland dairy farmer Rob Dingle. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest res...

Stepping back from the day to day running of the farm is an exciting stage in life, but one that can be complex. What are the big things to consider? What are the common pitfalls and how can you avoid them? And for farmers looking to step back next season, what are the three key things you can do now to be in the best position? Find out in this episode with James Allen, agribusiness consultant and...

Good weather forecasting helps farmers to make better decisions. But how exactly do meteorologists come up with their predictions? Will forecasting become more accurate? And what kind of weather can farmers expect for the weeks and months ahead? Let’s find out from Chris Brandolino, NIWA’s Principal Scientist of Forecasting and Media. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talking...

Are your calves getting the colostrum they need? How are you supposed to know and what can you change to make sure they do? And what are some of the common myths about colostrum? Find out in this episode of Talking Dairy, featuring veterinarian and researcher Emma Cuttance. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with...

Once cull cows are on the truck for transport, they can be a bit out of sight, out of mind. But our responsibility for their welfare doesn’t end at the gate. In this episode, DairyNZ animal care specialist Jac McGowan joins a local truck driver for a day to see first-hand the ins and outs of transporting stock, and what challenges you’re preparing them for. Have feedback or ideas for future episod...

Where do dairy farmers fit in the climate change discussion? Can farmers have confidence that emissions targets won’t keep shifting? And what support can farmers expect from the government? Climate Change Minister James Shaw sits down with us to talk it through.  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, lat...

Taking over the National Party leadership was meant to be Todd Muller’s dream job, but instead, it thrust him into a season of intense anxiety and crippling panic attacks. In this episode, he candidly shares his mental health story, including everything he’s learned about recognising the symptoms and staying well.  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz...

Staff shortages can cause big headaches for dairy farmers. In this episode, we discuss what you can do to attract and retain staff, and we look at the results of a recent dairy farm employee survey, with DairyNZ's lead advisor – people, Jane Muir. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest researc...

What's in the Climate Change Commission’s carbon budgets proposal and what does it mean for dairy farmers? Do you need to do anything yet? Let’s find out from DairyNZ’s principal policy advisor Roger Lincoln. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, s...

What's the difference between contract milking and variable order sharemilking? Are they still a viable progression pathway? And how do you make it work in your first season? We put those questions and more to DairyNZ senior business specialist Sarah Brown. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, late...