Public articles

Learning to live with Kikuyu is the reality for more farmers in the upper North Island. Featured in the brand new Dairy Exporter Summer issue, Natalie and Andre Meier share their learnings from managing the subtropical grass on their farm. Also hear from Northland consultant Kim Robinson who gives her top tips for management of a Kikuyu system.

You’ve always tried to breed from your best, and you already know the power of genomics. Through LIC’s new GeneMark Genomic service, you can continue to identify superior genetics with increased reliability at a younger age.

With mating underway it’s important to look at your pasture management systems to make sure your herd is eating well. Keeping quality while there is a surplus and then keeping an eye out on when to slow down your round is important to future proof feed supply. Hear from DairyNZ Farm Systems Specialist Mark Williams, and Chair of Pasture Summit Robbie Ferris, on the keys to successful spring pasture management.

With mating season underway farmers will be considering how to make their herds more efficient, through breeding. Fonterra have been around the country on their Efficiency Evolution Strategy Roadshow, and two of their presenters share the tools they encourage farmers to think about when it comes to getting the most from your herd. Also hear from two LIC Agri Managers on their MINDA tool, and how they’re using it to make bespoke plans for their farmers on what efficiency means to them.

Salmonella outbreaks in herds can be devastating, and given the wet spring across the country, it is a grim reality for some farmers at the moment.
In this episode, hear from a vet managing Salmonella outbreaks in Southland; two Veterinary Technical Advisors from MSD Animal Health about how to prevent a Salmonella outbreak on your farm; and a Waikato dairy farmer about how she managed an outbreak on her farm during the dry period, and what she’s doing now to prevent it happening again.

Springtime is said to be the best time of year to put your farm on the property market, and those across the real estate sector are feeling optimistic about the way the market is heading with rising milk payouts, and more interest from investors back into the dairy sector. After a tough couple of years, it looks like confidence and capital are building - so could it be a good time to look at buying land? Hear from Bruce Weir at Rabobank; Conrad Wilkshire from Property Brokers; and Craig Bates from PGG Wrightson Real Estate.

Dairy companies are finding ways to make their businesses more efficient in a bid to lower emissions. However, we are also going through an electricity crisis, and how we use energy needs to be looked at across the board. In this episode we look at new technology such as Miraka’s hydrogen powered milk tankers, and Open Country’s electric powered boilers, as well as new mapping and modelling tools coming from Fonterra.

With the latest Global Dairy Trade report out this week, the impacts of what’s happening overseas will be on farmers' minds. We chat to those with an eye on the global pulse about what New Zealand dairy farmers can expect for the rest of the year, and into 2025.
Hear from Stu Davison in the United States, Chris McCullough in Ireland, and Cristana Alvarado from NZX.

A busy calving season is underway across the country, and for farmers calf nutrition will be top of mind. In this episode we look at the different ways to develop your calf’s rumen, to raise healthy and feed-efficient cows. Hear from Jacqueline McGowan from DairyNZ about developing the rumen; Grant Jackson from SealesWinslow about raising feed-efficient cows; and Penelope Drysdale, a Manawatū farmer, about how integrating an organics system has benefitted her herd’s health.

Farmers are increasingly being asked to be as efficient as possible in order to meet emissions and environmental obligations - but what tools are out there to get started, and maintain, efficiency goals?
In this episode we look at how dedicated farm reporting can improve efficiency onfarm, and put the tools in farmers hands. Also we get an update on the changes to the Fonterra Farm Insights reports. Hear from Fonterra’s Laura Cookson, Trev CEO & Founder Scott Townshend, and Dairy Farmer Jason Christensen.

Hamish Blackmore grows beet for winter feed, however had been struggling with a severe wild turnip issue over the years, which was affecting the beet yield. In 2023, on advice from their local PGG technical field rep, they decided to trial the Conviso ® Smart System, to control the wild turnip and reduce the number of sprays.

Dairy may again be set to bolster New Zealand’s economy with the latest boost to the milk price forecast, so it’s a good time for farmers to consider what tools will help give them an edge onfarm and learn more about global markets.
In this episode we talk to Southland Sharemilker Anieka Templer about equity partnerships and wearable technology; RaboResearch’s Stefan Vogel at the NZIPIM Conference about how global markets are stacking up; and agribusiness consultant James Allen about the role of farm advisors.