Dairy Exporter Autumn 2025

In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks to Louise Gibson and Hamish Pirie. Louise Gibson, Managing Director of The Sharefarming Consultants, provides some great tips and ideas on setting up on a new farm and how to document what’s onfarm at the outset. She also talks about the need for better legal protections, independent audits, and regular communication to build strong farm partnerships between farm owners, contract milkers and sharemilkers.

Hamish Pirie, a seasoned search and rescue volunteer, advocates for farmers to carry personal locator beacons (PLBs) for rapid emergency response, especially in remote areas where phones fail. He highlights the life-saving benefits of keeping a PLB on your person at all times. Together, they offer essential advice on improving farm safety, wellbeing, and working relationships.

In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks to Anneline Padayachee and they explore the challenges farmers face and the evolving nutrition landscape, especially around red meat, dairy and sustainable diets. They discuss how protein is often overemphasised and the changing views on dietary fats, particularly from dairy products.

Anneline highlights the importance of understanding the food matrix and nutrient absorption, while Sheryl emphasises the risks of low-fat processed foods with added sugars. Together, they stress the need for nuanced nutrition knowledge and mindful food choices in a complex food system.

In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks to Dan and Gina Duncan, former Share Farmers of the Year, sharing their journey from valuation to dairy farming. They discuss scaling their business and managing debt wisely. The couple highlight the value of consistent systems, cost control, and investing in herd quality. They offer advice to young farmers on embracing responsibility and taking a long-term approach to growth and financial sustainability.

This episode highlights insights from industry leaders driving sustainability in dairy farming. Malcolm Ellis, Fonterra’s Strategic Advisor, discusses improving animal productivity to reduce emissions, introducing the Co-operative Difference payment. Scott Townshend, CEO of Trev, explains how data and feed conversion efficiency help farmers boost profitability while reducing input costs. Simon Le Heron, CEO of Canterbury Grasslands, shares how standardising systems across his large-scale, pasture-based operation optimises land use and feed conversion.

Together, these experts show how innovation, technology, and efficiency are essential to achieving both environmental and financial gains in New Zealand’s dairy industry.

This episode showcases some of the highlights from the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, held in Timaru in April. Jason Archer of Beef + Lamb NZ explains how beef genetics boost the value and sustainability of dairy-origin calves. Rebecca Furzeland shares insights from her large-scale calf rearing business focused on quality, health, and teamwork. Ryan Luckman draws on data from cow wearables on 100,000+ cows to share learnings you can apply to your farm system. Rosanne Megaw shares her and husband Eldon’s journey from contract milking to equity partnership and Glenn Jones wraps with reflections on SIDE 2025 and shares what’s coming for next year.

In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Kirsty Verhoek explains how heat stress affects cow comfort and productivity, and how the Grazing Heat Load Index (GHLI) improves on traditional measures like the Temperature Humidity Index. Dr Paul Edwards discusses how GHLI, combined with digital technologies, helps farmers identify regional heat stress risks and take timely action. Dr Roshean Woods introduces a new bulk milk urea (BMU) tool that provides near real-time insights into dietary nitrogen surplus, helping farmers optimise herd health and reduce nitrogen loss. Together, they highlight how these tools support farm resilience and sustainability in a changing climate.

In this episode, Sam Mander, director of AgriIntel, walks listeners through the New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), giving a 101 on the scheme and outlining its opportunities for farmers. He discusses carbon credits, forestry models, and earning NZUs, including how to earn NZU’s from agroforestry and riparian planting. Sam highlights the financial and environmental benefits of understanding the ETS and how it can help farmers navigate the future of low-emissions agriculture. Anne Lee also recently attended SIDE where she spoke to Cameron Bagrie about American President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs and how economic stability will look heading into the future.

Plantings on under-utilised or low-productivity areas can provide income, create value and improve environmental outcomes. Words Anne Lee.

Despite polarising views, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is set to remain a cornerstone of New Zealand’s climate strategy for the foreseeable future. Words Sam Mander.

There can be a power imbalance when a farm owner and potential contract milker or sharemilker sit down at a table to negotiate their contract, still both parties will benefit more from a fair negotiation. Words Sheryl Haitana.