Shows / Talking Dairy
Talking Dairy
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.
Episodes
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
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
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…
- Talking Dairy
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…
- Talking Dairy
Will your pastures thrive in the future? | Ep. 132
What helps pastures persist through changing conditions? One year into the Resilient Pastures Programme, we look at what's being learnt so far and how farmers…
- Talking Dairy
In 10 Spring check-in: How to stay ahead of mastitis
In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, you’ll hear how a few timely checks can help you stay ahead of mastitis as cows calve, settle into milking, and move…
- Talking Dairy
What farmers need from the next Government | Ep. 131
In this episode, Tracy Brown, DairyNZ board chair, Brian Anderton, DairyNZ government relations manager, and Leighton Parker, dairy farmer and Dairy…
- Talking Dairy
Foot-and-mouth disease travel risk and simple biosecurity tips | Ep. 130
Before someone steps onto your farm after travelling overseas, what do you ask them? Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) isn’t in New Zealand, and we all want to keep…
Talking DairyIn 10: The simple check that can sharpen your down cow plan
When a cow goes down, a clear plan helps you act early, support her recovery and keep your team moving during one of the busiest times of the season. In this…
Talking DairyIn 10: Planning your next step (Live at People Expo)
You don’t need all the answers to start thinking about what comes next. Recorded live at People Expo, this Talking Dairy In 10 episode puts progression and…
- Talking Dairy
Thinking about solar? Start here | Ep. 129
Power costs continue to rise, and a lot of farmers are asking the same question: could solar work on my farm? In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris McArthur…
Talking DairyIn 10: What you need to know about El Niño and your farm
El Niño is getting a lot of attention, but what could it mean for your farm this season? In this episode, we cut through the noise with WeatherWatch’s Philip…
Talking DairyTake your own chair: Hinehou Timutimu on leadership and possibility | Ep. 128
Earlier this year, Hinehou Timutimu was named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and became the first Māori woman to receive the award. But this episode…
Talking DairyIn 10: When farmers lead change
Waiuku dairy farmer, and Dairy Environment Leader, Stu Muir has spent years restoring waterways, protecting the land and helping reconnect people with the…
Talking DairyNew transition cow care advice and what rumination data can tell us | Ep. 127
The weeks around calving can have a big influence on cow health, production and reproductive performance. In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks…
Talking DairyIn 10: What’s next for you on farm and what’s stopping you?
Are you thinking about what’s next for you or your farm business? Planning the next stage in dairy farming is unique to you. Honest conversations and the right…
Talking DairyUnlock the full potential of your calves | Ep. 126
Are you feeding your calves enough to unlock their full potential? In this episode, you’ll hear what the latest research says about early calf nutrition, and…
Talking DairyIn 10: How to plan for winter and stay on track when pressure hits
Winter will test your system, but a clear plan helps you stay in control. In this episode, DairyNZ Environment Manager Justin Kitto shares practical advice to…
Talking DairyFinding opportunities with dairy beef | Ep. 125
New Zealand’s reputation for producing sustainable, high-quality food is closely tied to how animals are cared for across the farming system. One of the…
Talking DairyWhat makes rural advisors great? | Ep. 124
Strong advice plays an important role in confident decision‑making. As farming continues to change, the way advice is shaped, shared, and supported matters…
- Talking Dairy
Support that makes a difference | Ep. 123
When the pressure is on, having the right support makes all the difference. In this episode of Talking Dairy, we hear directly from the organisation supporting…
Talking DairyRising costs and the impact on your farm business | Ep. 122
Global conflict can feel a long way from the farm gate until it starts showing up in your fuel bill, freight costs and next season’s budget. In this episode…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: What can dairy learn from horticulture robotics? | Ep. 7
What can dairy learn from the way horticulture uses robotics and automation? In this episode, we're joined by Professor Mike Duke from the University of…
Talking DairyTips for future-proofing your effluent system | Ep. 121
When effluent systems are designed and run well, they support your whole farm. In this episode of Talking Dairy, Debbie Care from AgVice and Shaun Hazelton…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Smarter data for everyday decisions | Ep. 6
Recorded live at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch. In this episode, Dr Claudia Kamphuis cuts through the noise around data…
Talking DairyImprove next season’s production with these smart autumn moves | Ep. 120
Autumn gives you a short but valuable window to set your herd up well. In this Talking Dairy episode, DairyNZ scientist, Dr Susanne Meier, explains why hitting…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Farmers' learnings on how to get the most from wearable tech | Ep. 5
Recorded live at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this episode features vet Kirsty Ashcroft from Anexa, who led a farmer…
Talking DairyTurn good into great with 3 moves for wealth creation | Ep. 119
If you want more control, confidence, and options in your business, building strong financial skills is one of the most powerful steps you can take. This…
Talking DairyIn 10: One for the books – Campbell Parker on the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report
In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker breaks down the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report, which captures the standout…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Craig Piggott on building Halter | Ep. 4
Recorded live at the Precision Dairy Farming Conference 2025 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this episode features Craig Piggott, founder and CEO of Halter. Craig…
Talking DairyHeat stress research to find the best solutions: Trial update from Scott Farm | Ep. 118
Heat stress is a growing challenge on our dairy farms, and the impact on your farm could be bigger than you think. In this episode, you’ll hear how DairyNZ’s…
Talking DairyIn 10: The role that makes a difference and opens doors
In this episode of Talking Dairy, Northland farmer and DairyNZ associate director Greg Collins shares an inside look at his year in the role, as the search for…
- Talking Dairy
How to build a win-win contract milking agreement that lasts | Ep. 117
With the right structure, tools, and communication, contract milking and variable order sharemilking agreements become pathways for equity growth and stronger…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Inside Ireland’s dairy tech trends | Ep. 3
Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference. In this episode, you’ll hear from Teagasc researchers Dr Bernadette…
Talking DairyHow farmers are using artificial intelligence and what the future holds | Ep. 116
Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere — including on dairy farms. In this episode, you’ll hear from DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Farmers adopting tech – wins, challenges, and lessons | Ep. 2
Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference. This episode features Sharn Roskam and Stuart Taylor, who were part of the…
Talking DairyThe latest on facial eczema: Risks, research and real solutions | Ep. 115
Facial eczema is one of the toughest animal health challenges facing livestock farmers. It’s estimated to cost the dairy and red meat sectors $330 million in…
Talking DairyPrecision Dairy Farming Series: Revisit the highlights and join the conversations shaping dairy tomorrow | Ep. 1
Whether you joined us in Christchurch or couldn’t make it, this episode is your chance to relive the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming…
Talking DairyBest of 2025: Building a high BW herd - one decision at a time
More farmers listened to this episode in 2025 than any other. Tune in to find out why it was so popular... What does it take to build a top herd? South…
Talking DairyWhat's the return on your levy investment? Findings from an independent report. | Ep. 114
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we unpack the findings of the most in-depth independent return on investment (ROI) ever – commissioned by DairyNZ to provide…
Talking DairyIn 10: How we're rethinking cow wellbeing with wearables
In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, animal scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks explains how research using wearable technology is building a deeper understanding…
Talking DairyIn 10: Small changes that can get hours back in your week
Every minute in the farm dairy counts. Research shows the right milking routine can save you hours every week. In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac…
Talking DairyCow wellbeing at the leading edge | Ep. 113
How is the great animal care already happening on your farm helping New Zealand dairy stay ahead of global market expectations? In this episode of Talking…
Talking DairyIn 10: The power of connection (and a good lunch): The SMASH story
In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac McGowan chats with Noldy Rust, Chair of SMASH (Smaller Milk and Supply Herds), and Frank Portegys from…
Talking DairyMoney on the table: How to make it work for you | Ep. 112
With Fonterra’s sale of global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis now approved, many shareholder farmers will soon receive a…
Talking DairyLess admin, more insights: How benchmarking your business just got easier | Ep. 111
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the latest DairyBase upgrades that make benchmarking faster and easier. DairyBase, our farm benchmarking tool, now…
Talking DairyIn 10: A Pasture Summit sneak peek – what’s on this spring?
In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, get the inside scoop from Pasture Summit directors Robbie Ferris and Al Rayne. They reveal what’s happening at the…
Talking DairyInsights on maximising your homegrown feed | Ep. 110
Want to make the most of your homegrown feed? This episode of Talking Dairy is a chance to catch up on what was shared at our recent Progressing Dairy events…
Talking DairyIn 10: Smooth sailing ahead?
Milk price forecasts are holding steady, but costs remain high. What does that mean for your bottom line this season? DairyNZ economist Ben Marmont unpacks the…
Talking DairyNavigating the path to farm ownership in 2025 | Ep. 109
Owning a dairy farm is still one of the biggest aspirations people hold. In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with Blair Robinson from Dairy…
Talking DairyIn 10: New N loss research shows lower amount of plantain still makes big impact
Can a small amount of plantain in pasture really reduce nitrogen loss on-farm? New research from trials at Lincoln and Massey Universities suggests it can, and…
Talking DairyWork smarter, not harder: Insights from productive dairy farm workplaces | Ep. 108
Why is it that some workplaces seem to flow better than others? In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ researchers Dr Lucy Hall and Brian Dela Rue share…
Talking DairyIn 10: At the crossroads of science and farming - get ready for the global dairy tech event of the year
Tune into Talking Dairy in 10 for bite-size conversations. In this update about the International Precision Dairy Farming Conference, host Jac McGowan chats…
Talking DairyThe power of partnership: Farmers, iwi and communities joining forces to improve water quality | Ep. 107
What’s going to improve our water quality and keep enabling productivity? In this episode, we discuss practical and proven solutions from key catchments. Johan…