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Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) stands on the brink of profound demographic transformation. With its population projected to double by 2050 to 2.5 billion people – and potentially reaching 4 to 5 billion by 2100 – the region faces immense challenges and opportunities. Words Rob Shaw.

Farmers may soon have a bulk milk urea (BMU) indicator tool to help them make tactical on-farm decisions to optimise their nitrogen use efficiency and reduce the risk of nitrogen leaching. Words Anne Lee.

Facial eczema is a disease of the liver, not the skin. It causes milk production loss and welfare challenges, most of the time without farmers even realising. It’s time to break the cycle and do it better. Words Emma Cuttance.

Those long days sitting behind cows in the race, fixing fences, picking up hay are all examples of continuous sun exposure for farmers, leading to a lot of sun damage to our skin. Words Dr Alice Armstrong.

Autumn is the time to look forward and begin planning for next season. One of the most important targets is pasture eaten and what you do now, in terms of pasture renewal, is key to making sure you have the feed available. Anne Lee finds out how you make a great pasture renewal plan.

Growing grass in South Canterbury can be a challenge with pasture performance relying heavily on the availability of water from irrigation schemes and what Mother Nature dishes out. One farm has been on a mission to tackle the issue of pasture performance by controlling the controllables.

With the dairy and beef market both looking positive for 2025, beef finishers will be looking for quality dairy beef genetics to buy. The proof behind those genetics starts with an ear tag. Words Sheryl Haitana.

In this episode, we discuss pregnancy scanning results across the country, with some farmers reporting low not-in-calf rates. We also explore the importance of planning for next season’s mating, selecting the right bull team, and how advancements in breeding technology, including sexed semen, are helping farmers improve herd efficiency and productivity.

Historically, whole-fat dairy products were stigmatised due to their saturated fat content, but emerging research suggests a more nuanced understanding of their impact on heart health.

This episode we take a deep dive into the changes affecting rising insurance premiums and advice on how to navigate the changes including a new insurance model called parametric insurance that will help farmers insure in the face of extreme weather events.

In this episode, we explore the rise in global dairy prices underpinned by China’s expanding appetite for our dairy products with growing demand for high-protein foods. We also discuss the economic impact of trade tensions and how farmers can navigate this market volatility. Plus, the importance of future policy settings in the face of an unpredictable global landscape.

Johne’s disease is a devastating disease for farmers to deal with, however, it is not uncommon. In this episode learn more about what you can do as a farmer to manage, prevent, and treat Johne’s disease if it pops up on your farm, and what conversations to be having with your vet.

Managing physical and mental health is constantly becoming more important in our day to day lives. In this episode hear from food scientist and nutritionist, Dr. Anneline Padayachee about the importance of nutrition from dairy. We also hear from Kathryn Wright, a registered rural councillor, about how to work towards goals and focus on the positive.

Deputy Editor Anne Lee attended the Australasian Dairy Science Symposium in November, and got the chance to talk to some of the researchers speaking at the conference. Hear the latest research in areas like managing heat stress, stacking mitigations to reduce N losses, and getting enough sleep.

The much anticipated Gene Technology Bill has been introduced to parliament this week giving New Zealanders the first look at what the new regulations around genetic technologies such as gene editing and genetic modification could look like. In this episode hear from Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) science advisor Dr Emily Parker on the tiered, risk-based approach to regulating the technologies, including techniques that could be exempt from the regulations. Also hear from Dr Raj Bhula, the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia.

BVD is a significant problem in the dairy industry. In this episode we talk to the US-based scientist who carried out a world first by gene editing BVD resistance into a bovine embryo, cloning it and producing a live BVD resistant calf. Also hear more about LIC’s new partnership in an American gene editing project.