Shows / DAIRY Country
DAIRY Country
DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee.
Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand.
Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with our
thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and…
Episodes
DAIRY CountryEpisode 76 - Beef genetics in the dairy system
Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Dr. Jason Archer, Head of Genetics, Beef + Lamb NZ Jason Archer talks to Anne Lee about the need for…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 75 - Bridging research and reality
In this episode, Anne Lee speaks to Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub, and Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist at DairyNZ. Andrea provides a…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 74 - Mental health, meat and market gaps in a farmer’s mission
In this episode, hear from LeAnne Blakelock - a Taranaki dairy farmer turning a long-standing challenge into a high-value opportunity by launching a rose veal…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 73 - How farmers, science and media shaped NZ’s dairy story
In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 72 - Key innovations driving New Zealand’s dairy industry
In this episode, Anne Lee and Sheryl Haitana reflect on the innovation, resilience and spirit that have shaped New Zealand’s dairy industry. From…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 71 - A century of dairy unity: The rise of New Zealand’s co-ops
In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Fonterra’s Jim van der Poel about the evolution of New Zealand’s dairy industry. Jim reflects on the formation…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 70 - The evolution of herd improvement: Insights from industry leaders
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana talks with industry leaders about the evolution of dairy genetics in New Zealand. LIC Chief Executive, David Chin discusses…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 69 - The history of the Dairy Exporter
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana and Anne Lee reflect on the centenary — and final issue — of The Dairy Exporter magazine. As editor and deputy…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 68 - Dairy market update: Supply growth, tariff impacts, and consumer demand
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks with Cristina Alvarado, Head of Dairy Insights at NZX, and Stu Davison, Analyst at HighGround Dairy. Cristina outlines…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 67 - Stronger farms: Legal support and life-saving technology
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks to Louise Gibson and Hamish Pirie. Louise Gibson, Managing Director of The Sharefarming Consultants, provides some great…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 66 - Navigating nutrition myths: Protein, fats, and sugars
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana speaks to Anneline Padayachee and they explore the challenges farmers face and the evolving nutrition landscape, especially…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 65 - Scaling with purpose: Dan and Gina Duncan’s farming story
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 64 - The path to sustainable dairy: Efficiency, innovation, and technology
This episode highlights insights from industry leaders driving sustainability in dairy farming. Malcolm Ellis, Fonterra’s Strategic Advisor, discusses…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 63 - SIDE 2025 - Genetics, Growth & Game Changers
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 62 - Tackling heat stress and nitrogen management for sustainable dairy farming
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)…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 61 - Understanding the ETS: What are the opportunities?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 60 - The changing face of agriculture in New Zealand
In this episode, David Jensen, a dairy farmer and kiwifruit grower, shares his experience transitioning to kiwifruit cultivation. He discusses challenges like…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 59 - How land use is changing in NZ agriculture
In this episode, we explore a shift from traditional dairy to innovative crops in New Zealand agriculture. Lee Matheson, Managing Director of Perrin Ag…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 58 - AI on the farm: revolutionising dairy management
In this episode we explore the transformative power of AI in the dairy industry. Waikato sharemilker Matthew Zonderop discusses how AI is revolutionising his…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 57 - Passing the torch: the realities of farm succession
Farm succession is one of the toughest challenges for farming families, with many young farmers struggling through the process. Rural counselor Kathryn Wright…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 56 - Overcoming adversity in the face of a life changing injury
In this episode, Sheryl Haitana interviews Braden Coates and Hayley Ireland, dairy farmers from South Waikato, who share their inspirational journey overcoming…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 55 - Hot science & industry insights: expert takes on gene tech, dairy innovation & more
In this episode, we hear from experts at the Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, discussing the latest in dairy innovation, from benchmarking farm…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 54 - Breeding for the future: mating plans, how to select the best bull team for your herd.
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 53 - Is your farm insurance keeping up with the changes?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 52 - How are world trade tensions impacting the dairy industry?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 51 - Preventing a devastating Johne’s disease outbreak on farm
Johne’s disease is a devastating disease for farmers to deal with, however it is not uncommon and is both preventable and treatable with a conversation…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 50 - Nutrition in dairy and focusing in on improving your mental health
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 49 - The latest breakthroughs in Australasian dairy science
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 48 - How will genetic technologies be regulated in New Zealand?
A new bill has been introduced to parliament this week outlining the proposed regulatory regime for genetic technologies and genetically modified organisms. In…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 47 - Gene editing cows for disease resistance
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 46 - Are you in the driving seat with your finances?
Having control over your finances puts you more firmly at the helm when it comes to the direction of travel of your farm business. Hear how a North Canterbury…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 45 - How will financial literacy grow your farm business?
Financial literacy is almost like learning another language, and in the summer issue of Dairy Exporter the special report focusses on where to start and what…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 44 - The pathways making farm ownership possible
Farm ownership is becoming a harder goal to achieve, especially for the next generation who might not have the capital to meet increasing land prices. In this…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 43 - Getting ahead of drench resistance in cattle
Drench resistance is already a widespread problem in the sheep industry, so how can dairy farmers stay ahead of the game, to avoid the same fate? Regular…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 42 - Embracing Kikuyu through system change
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 41 - Having the right rules in place for pasture management
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 40 - Making efficiency decisions this mating season
With mating season underway farmers will be considering how to make their herds more efficient, through breeding. Fonterra have been around the country on…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 39 - How to prevent a devastating Salmonella outbreak
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 38 - Is now the time to buy farmland?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 37 - How do we use energy more efficiently onfarm?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 36 - World woes could mean more lift in your milk price
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 35 - Why is calf rumen development so crucial?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 34 - How can farmers keep up with farm efficiency demands?
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…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 33 - What tools will give our dairy farmers an edge?
A jump in the payout forecast could signal dairy is again going to do the heavy lifting for the country’s struggling economy and brighter times could be on the…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 32 - How are rural professionals bolstering our primary sector?
The New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) conference was held at Mystery Creek this week, a celebration of the rural professionals…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 31 - How can farmers treat lameness proactively?
The health of the herd is front of mind for dairy farmers, especially with the calving season underway. Issues like lameness can be costly and disruptive for a…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 30 - How can farmers use fixed milk prices to reduce risk?
Milk price makes up over 50% of risk in a dairy farm business, and increasingly more farmers are adopting milk hedging options to make their income less risky…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 29 - What’s the key to successful multi-generational farms?
Maintaining a fifth-generation farm is no small feat, and the Stewart family farm just out of Palmerston North is a great example of how to keep the family…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 28 - What are the risks of changing GE regulations?
In the third episode of our genetic modification and genetic engineering discussion series, hear from two different sides of the debate, on what the risks are…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 27 - What are the risks and rewards of genetic modification?
The government has announced a bill will be introduced to parliament this year to change rules and regulations to genetic modification. Access to genetic…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 26 - How would changing GE regulations benefit New Zealand?
With changes to gene editing regulations being signaled by the government, it’s time to have the conversation on why and how this would benefit New Zealand…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 25 - Deep-diving fertility traits, N loss and contracts
This week we caught up with some farmers who shared their expertise at SIDE’s 2024 Conference, along with a geneticist. From new traits being researched for…
DAIRY CountryNUFFIELD REPORT: Transitioning agriculture towards sustainability together
We need to bring farmers to the table and take them off the menu, when it comes to fostering sustainable practices in the agriculture sector. 2023 Nuffield…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 24 - Future insights from South Island Dairy Event
The Dairy Exporter’s Sheryl Haitana and Anne Lee attended the 25th South Island Dairy Expo (SIDE) this week, to catch up on the latest dairy innovations. They…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 23 - Sheltering cows in a changing climate
With extreme weather events becoming more common, hot days in the sun are bad enough for people – so what are we doing for our livestock? Heat stress is a…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 22 - Balancing environmental obligations with profitability
There is a global race happening to reduce emissions from dairy farming with more solutions potentially becoming available to housed-cow systems. So where does…
DAIRY CountryEpisode 21 - Breeding for lower methane
Having a methane breeding value would see a 5-15% reduction in methane output from the New Zealand national dairy herd by 2050. But one Waikato dairy farmer…