Talking Dairy

Hosted by DairyNZ

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Episodes

178

Latest episode

Nov 2026

Language

EN-NZ

About the show

Talking Dairy is your go-to podcast for New Zealand dairy farmers. You'll hear from farmers, scientists, and experts who share practical tips and insights to help you succeed. It's all about giving you the tools and knowledge to make the best decisions for your farm. Brought to you by DairyNZ, we help farmers lead the world in sustainable dairying by investing in research, new solutions and advocacy. Follow now and stay informed with the latest episodes.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 4, 202631 min

Turning pasture to profit: are you hitting your residuals? | Ep. 137

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 explore what happens when residuals aren’t where you want them and what you can do next. You’ll also hear why what cows leave behind today matters at the next grazing, and how measurement, observation and adjustment come together on farm. More information: Connect and learn from other farmers and experts at DairyNZ events, find one in your region. 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

October 27, 202619 min

In 10: The end of the RMA era. What changes now for farmers?

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 existing regulatory requirements, including consents. With important regulations and plans still to come, they outline what has been confirmed and what remains uncertain as you consider decisions for your farm. Links to more info DairyNZ information: RMA reform Waikato - Plan Change 1 Resource management reforms | Ministry for the Environment Waikato Regional Council guidance on Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora Plan Change 1 Horizons Regional Council guidance on Plan Change 2 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

October 20, 202635 min

The habits of high-performing farmers | Ep. 136

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 supplementary feed, keep on top of finances, make decisions, work with people and use technology. They also explain why strong performance is not about which production system farmers choose, but how clearly and consistently they run it. Read more about what high-performing farms have in common in the summer edition of Inside Dairy , out on the 27th of October. More information: Dairy Training’s Business by the Numbers course covers financial budgeting, cashflow forecasting and managing the numbers in an agribusiness. 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

October 13, 202613 min

In 10: How to teach pasture decisions across a farm team?

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 aligned on the grazing plan. The conversation also covers round length, pre-grazing covers, residuals, leaf stage and monitoring the top of the feed wedge during peak growth. Link to more info: Increasing feed that is grown and eaten on-farm is one of the most effective ways to improve profitability, strengthen farm resilience, and lower emissions intensity. Find out more at and access pasture management tools at: Homegrown feed | DairyNZ 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

October 7, 202636 min

What makes a dairy-beef calf worth buying? | Ep. 135

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 on a fair price and building relationships before mating. Their experiences show why breeding decisions need to work for the dairy farm, calf rearer and beef finisher. Links to more info Dairy Beef Opportunities programme Beef-on-dairy guidance Dairy-beef case studies Owl Farm Facebook page 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

September 30, 202621 min

In 10: Keeping pasture and profit goals on track through change

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. Leighton shares how their plans are tracking, what has changed, and where they’re heading next. Join the 2026 Pasture Summit Spring Events: North Island: Tuesday 24 November, hosted by Todd and Renee Halliday in Reporoa, Bay of Plenty South Island: Thursday 26 November, hosted by James and Laura Bawden in Hinds, Canterbury Find out more and register for Pasture Summit. 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

September 22, 202628 min

When does extra feed stop paying its way? | Ep. 134

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. Links to more info Marginal milk research, tools and resources Supplement Price Calculator FeedChecker Calculator 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

September 15, 202616 min

In 10: What do new plantain trial results mean for dairy farmers?

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 in a farm system. Find out more about the research Get tools and resources on plantain 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

September 8, 202642 min

Ahuwhenua Trophy: Are you more ready than you think? | Ep. 133

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 performance. The kōrero also explores what Māori farming businesses can gain from entering the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, including the chance to share their story, gain fresh insights and recognise what is already working well. Most importantly, Basil and Peter challenge the idea that your farming business needs to have everything sorted before entering. They explain the support available to entrants and why opening the gate to a fresh perspective could show that you are more ready than you think. Thinking about entering? Ahuwhenua Trophy entries close 2 December 2026. Young Māori Farmer Award entries close 29 January 2027. Find out more and enter here. Questions? Contact the DairyNZ Māori agribusiness team at maoriagribusiness@dairynz.co.nz 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

September 3, 202612 min

In 10: The next phase of Forage Value Index research

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 you decide which cultivars to use? Share your feedback here. Find out more about the Forage Value Index research project. 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, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected