Dairynz Tech Series: Dairy Science In Action

What are the main things to consider before approaching the bank for backing to go into herd-owning sharemilking? Sian Mitchell, ANZ agri manager, explains how to get yourself into as strong a position as possible to secure the bank’s support. She also covers the loan approval process, how and why the bank takes security over the cows, GST loans, loan structures, coping with profit ups and downs, and more. NotesSharemilking and contract milking arrangements - DairyNZBudgeting tools - DairyNZBuy Contracts (fedfarm.org.nz)Business by the Numbers - Dairy TrainingProgression Management - Dairy TrainingHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Is herd-owning sharemilking in your sights? Already in a HOSM partnership? In this episode, pick up some fresh ideas for both farm owner and sharemilker on how to succeed in this popular business structure. Our guests are Waikato sharemilker Rachel Bunnik and Dairy Farms NZ CEO Craig McBeth, who discuss what they like about the agreement, how the financials work, common challenges, keeping the relationship sweet, doing your due diligence, and much more. Show notesSharemilking and contract milking arrangements - DairyNZBudgeting tools - DairyNZBuy Contracts (fedfarm.org.nz)Business by the Numbers - Dairy TrainingProgression Management - Dairy TrainingHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Rain, rain, rain. How are other dairy farmers managing their way through this exceptionally wet winter? Hear from Hauraki Plains farm owner John Garrett, Cambridge farm owner Marc Gascoigne, and Northland herd owning sharemilker Carl MacDonald, who explain how they're trying to minimise soil damage while still adequately feeding the cows. They discuss round lengths, cow comfort, team morale, mental health, lessons from previous wet winters, and more. NotesWet weather management - DairyNZSpring Rotation Planner - DairyNZRural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm WellFarmer wellbeing - DairyNZHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

In today’s tight labour market, we need to ensure our dairy farm assistant jobs are attractive and competitive – but how? In this episode, find out about DairyNZ’s new tools to help farm employers know if their job role 'meets the market' and what factors could be tweaked to create a bigger pool of applicants. Our guests are DairyNZ’s Geoff Taylor and Pouarua Farms CEO Jenna Smith.Useful linksKnow the Market project - DairyNZJob competitiveness calculator - DairyNZHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Waikato farm owners Bryce Anderton and Aleisha Broomfield share how the current period of increased farm costs and high inflation is affecting them and how they’re coping. Speaking live at Fieldays 2023, Bryce and Aleisha talk about the impacts on their businesses, actions they’ve taken to maintain profitability, the role of cost control, advice for other farmers, and their go-to tools and resources. Useful linksBudget Case Studies Budgeting when inflation is high Dairy operating profit Dairy Training Business by the Numbers courseHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Our guests Matte Kirk and Kelly Dickey share their thoughts on mental wellness in the rural sector. Are farmers getting better at talking about how they’re feeling? Why is getting off the farm so important? How do Matte (former dairy farmer, Pioneer area manager) and Kelly (sharemilker, Rural Support Trust facilitator) stay in top form? The pair also talk about the great work of Surfing For Farmers, which they both help to run in Raglan, on Waikato's west coast. LinksWhere to get help - DairyNZ Surfing for FarmersFarmer wellbeing - DairyNZ Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz) Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm Well Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Our guests on this episode are Morrinsville farmer Johan van Ras, planting professional Antony Snodgrass, and DairyNZ’s Aslan Wright-Stow, Senior Manager – Environment. Hear their perspectives on how to successfully undertake a planting project on the farm, including some common mistakes to avoid, tips on prep and maintenance, what we can learn from science and research, and what benefits (some unexpected) you’re likely to see. ShownotesPlanting waterways - DairyNZDairyNZ Riparian Planner - DairyNZNative Planting Services - Koroneiki DevelopmentsWaikato environment award winners, Johan and Kylie van Ras, hope to spur others into environmental action (linkedin.com)Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Overwhelmed by workload pressure, self-doubt and a fear of what others expected of him, fifth generation farmer Sam Spencer-Bower stopped being able to function. It took six months before his wife – and Sir John Kirwan – helped convince him to get help. In this episode, Sam kindly joins us to share his mental health journey: the underlying causes, learning to talk about it, the road to recovery, and the skills he’s developed to cope with the stresses of the job, so he can keep on enjoying dairy farming.  NotesWhere to get help - DairyNZFarmer wellbeing - DairyNZInside Dairy - DairyNZ (see page 13 of June/July 2023 edition)Rural Support Trust: Help and support for rural NZ (rural-support.org.nz)Home - Farmstrong - Live Well Farm WellHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

Rotorua farm owner Steve Holdem joins us to share his experience with Ecotain plantain: what’s worked well, what he and wife Paula have learned about maintaining it, and how it’s saving them from reducing their stocking numbers. Also on the podcast is DairyNZ’s Kate Fransen, who’ll give a clear overview of what a decade’s research has taught us about plantain. New results show even better than expected leaching reductions can be achieved. NotesPlantain - DairyNZDairyNZ Podcast: 'Plantain for production and environmental wins | Ep. 20'Inside Dairy: pages 25-29 of June/July 2023 edition (goes live June 1)Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

It’s difficult to see the benefit of genetic gain in a herd from one season to the next. When you see an improvement in farm performance, how do you know that's a result of better genetics? How can you be confident that breeding for genetic gain actually works?Hear DairyNZ's Bruce Thorrold discuss learnings from the Holstein-Friesian Strain Trial. He also talks through the value of genomics and high-quality data, strengthening the fertility Breeding Worth, keeping up with our overseas competitors, and more. NotesAnimal Evaluation - DairyNZA Comparison of Three Strains of Holstein-Friesian Cows Grazed on Pasture: Growth, Development, and Puberty - ScienceDirectHave feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Follow DairyNZ on socials for the latest updates: FacebookInstagramLinkedIn

For many of the biggest challenges facing Kiwi dairy farmers, the answers lie in solid, farm-tested research. So, what are the big focus areas for DairyNZ’s science team right now? What work is underway to give farmers the tools they need? And how do our scientists ensure new solutions are actually going to work well on-farm? DairyNZ’s Bruce Thorrold and Bridget Maclean join us to answer those questions, as well as explaining who’s in the science team at DairyNZ, their proudest research achievements, and what research projects they’re most excited about.NotesFarmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZResearch - DairyNZChapters1.47 – Who are Bridget and Bruce?4.21 – Hot topics DairyNZ researchers are addressing 9.03 – Who are the scientists working on behalf of dairy farmers? 12.28 – Involving farmers; developing solutions that actually work14.57 – Bruce’s proudest achievements18.37 – Bridget’s highlights19.50 – Changing the dairy job; nailing methane emissions21.36 – Grill our scientists at Farmers’ Forum Have feedback or

What’s it like coming into the dairy sector with no experience? How can farm employers make it a softer landing for newbies and increase our chances of them succeeding and remaining in farming? What can we learn from seeing dairy farming through the eyes of a new employee? Step on up John Gibson, who’s in his second season and has just taken on a 2IC role in Te Pahu, west of Hamilton. Hear John's story of leaving behind Government and retail work in Wellington for a new career in dairy farming. You’ll hear the good, the bad and the funny, as well as why he decided to make the lifestyle change. He shares his views on how we can make it a smoother transition for other newcomers. NotesRecruitment - DairyNZGoDairy - DairyNZChapters1.33 – John’s non-farming background2.33 – Persuaded to go dairy farming3.55 – First impressions, early mistakes, ‘farm common sense’7.37 – Discovering a love for farming9.03 – Biggest challenges: physical demands, new lifestyle, internet12.04 – Why he stayed14.59 – Thoughts on rur

What might NZ dairy farming look like in 2030? What strategies and technologies could Kiwi farmers adopt to get ahead of our global competitors, like US mega-dairies? DairyNZ researchers are on the case, seeking answers to those questions and more through an exciting project called Frontier Farms. It’s all about identifying the key challenges our farm systems need to address – and coming up with solutions – to remain globally competitive. Our guests in this episode are DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Paul Edwards, Perrin Ag managing director Lee Matheson and Waikato dairy farmer Colin Hickey.NotesFrontier Farms - DairyNZUnited States mega-dairies - DairyNZInside Dairy April May edition - Inside Dairy - DairyNZAlternative milks podcast (Ep 43) DairyNZ Podcast - DairyNZChapters01:25 – What Frontier Farms aims to achieve for farmers02:54 – Intro to Colin 03:30 – How and why Colin’s involved in the project04:30 – Lee’s role in Frontier Farms05:15 – What is a ‘mega-dairy’?6:05 – What advantages could US mega-dairies h

Covid-19, the Ukraine War and extreme weather events have created ongoing disruption globally and locally, with knock-on effects for New Zealand’s dairy sector. So, what can we expect in the coming seasons with farm costs, interest rates, labour supply and demand for dairy? What are the challenges and opportunities for farmers to be thinking about? And what are some emerging trends that could affect dairy farming? Our guests in this episode are DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey and foresight practitioner Melissa Clark-Reynolds, who bring some great insights and food for thought. Melissa is one of the speakers at DairyNZ’s 2023 Farmers’ Forum events, which will have a strong focus on science and research. Visit Farmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZ for details.   NotesFarmers’ Forum 2023 - DairyNZMelissa Clark-Reynolds – Signals from the Future (BOMA webinar, 14.2.23) Melissa Clark-Reynolds – learning from NZ Primary Sector Unicorns (BOMA conference, 2020) Mark Storey – Managing cost pressures in an uncertain envi

It’s been an incredibly tough time for farmers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. For many, the recovery will be long and challenging.  We thought it would be helpful to hear from one farmer who’s been through something similar and can talk about what the recovery looked like. Dean Bailey was sharemilking in Manawatu when, in February 2004, a devastating flooding event left his farm submerged beneath two metres of water. It was six months before they were milking cows again on the farm. Dean will talk about how the recovery unfolded, the importance of good communication, rallying together as a community, and taking it one day at a time.  Michelle Greaves, a Regional Partner in DairyNZ’s Lower North Island Team, also joins us to talk about DairyNZ’s role in the response and recovery, and provide advice on how farmers can prepare for the seasons ahead.NotesCyclone response - DairyNZDecision tree for flood damaged farms: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/media/5787035/flood-damaged-farm-decision-tree.pdf Government grants a

There’s a lot of conversation circling about milk alternatives and their potential impact on global dairy consumption and NZ dairy farming. But what do we mean by ‘milk alternatives’? What are the differences between plant alternatives and precision fermentation? Also, where are milk alternatives at and what are the facts – and the myths – about new and existing products? Here to shed some light on the matter is Warren McNabb, Professor of Nutritional Sciences at the Riddet Institute, Massey University. Warren will discuss how milk alternatives have developed to date and what the future is looking like.NotesFrontier Farms - DairyNZInside Dairy Feb-March 2023 - DairyNZChapters01:31 – Who is Warren?03:46 – Warren explains the different milk alternatives and where they’re at on their journey11:40 – Nutritional differences between milk alternatives and traditional dairy, and what that means for global nutritional requirements14:21 – What is a plant-based and animal-optimised food system?17:57 – How does tradition

How are Kiwi dairy farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain their profitability? In Part 2 of this series, you’ll hear from Waikato owner operator John Bluett, and Canterbury herd-owning lower-order sharemilker Kylie Marriott. John and Kylie share their approach to coping with cost increases, how they calculate profit from various inputs, how they budget when things are changing so quickly, and what they’ve learned from previous tough times. NotesDairyNZ budgeting templates Mark and Measure course Budget Case Studies Budgeting when inflation is high Dairy operating profit Dairy Training's Business by the Numbers course Chapters1:50 – Who are John and Kylie? 3:40 – Kylie’s journey from contract milking to lower-order sharemilking 5:05 – John and Kylie explain their farm production systems8:30 – How they’re dealing with rising farm costs12:40 – Kylie’s farm business principles 14:40 – Kylie’s debt aversion15:40 – John’s farm business principles20:05 – Calculating profit

How are farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain profitability? Over the next two episodes, you’ll hear from a group of farmers who have kindly agreed to talk about their approach. We’ll ask them how they’re coping, how they calculate their profit from various inputs, like supplements, and how they go about budgeting when things are changing so quickly. In this first episode, we’re joined by farmers Dan King and Marc Jones. Dan and his wife Kate are owner/operators on the West Coast; and Marc and wife Nia are 50/50 sharemilking 700 cows at Mamaku, Bay of Plenty, and contract milking 500 cows in Tirau, Waikato.NotesBudget Case StudiesBudgeting when inflation is highDairy operating profitDairy Training Business by the Numbers courseChapters0:00 – Intro4:15 – Dan’s and Marc’s farm production systems7:46 – Approach to rising farm costs 11:33 – Their farm business principles15:00 – How they calculate profit on various inputs16:09 – Budgeting process for next season19:58 – Previou

In this episode we wrap up our three-part series on contract milking. You’ll find out what a farm owner needs to know when it comes to employing a contract milker. How do you make your expectations clear, how do settle your new contract milker in well, and how do you support them to keep growing in their skillset? Bringing the answers are farm owner and ag consultant Brendan Attrill, and Waikato contract milker Rachael Foy. NotesContract milking 101 | Ep. 37Contract milking part 2: investigating a job offer | Ep. 39Dairy Training Contract Milking courseChapters1:25 – As farm owner, orientating a new contract milker onto the farm4:55 – The orientation experience from the contract milkers’ perspective7:38 – Making expectations clear to the contract milker 10:45 – The importance of having a good farm policy 13:08 – Getting regular communication working practically14:52 – Meetings between the farm owner and contract milker16:05 – How to deal with issues or differences in operating20:08 – Identifying learning oppo

How do you figure out if a contract milking position is the right one for you? What things should you be asking the farm owner, what do you look for on the farm, and what are some common mistakes to avoid? In this episode, the second of our three-part series on contract milking, you’ll get the low-down on investigating a job offer from DairyNZ business specialist Paul Bird and ANZ agri manager Sian Mitchell.Also, check out the excellent new contract milking short course launched recently by Dairy Training Ltd, DairyNZ and Federated Farmers. A successful pilot has finished, and the next courses are now confirmed.Contract Milker Premium CalculatorChapters01:02 – Who are Sian and Paul?02:40 – Young people being unprepared for contract milking03:59 – Key principles a contract milker should be thinking about06:03 – The contract milker premium07:13 – Questions to ask in a contract milking interview10:26 – What to look for when viewing a farm 12:01 – Key things to look for in a contract milking agreement14:43 – Why