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
Mental health: ‘Don’t be afraid to open up’ | Ep. 51
Overwhelmed by workload pressure, self-doubt and a fear of what others expected of him, fifth generation farmer Sam Spencer-Bower stopped being able to…
- Talking Dairy
Plantain proving its worth | Ep. 50
Rotorua farm owner Steve Holdem joins us to share his experience with Ecotain plantain: what’s worked well, what he and wife Paula have learned about…
- Talking Dairy
Breeding Worth – how do we know it’s really working? | Ep. 49
It’s difficult to see the benefit of genetic gain in a herd from one season to the next. When you see an improvement in farm performance, how do you know…
- Talking Dairy
Better science solutions for Kiwi dairy farms | Ep. 48
For many of the biggest challenges facing Kiwi dairy farmers, the answers lie in solid, farm-tested research. So, what are the big focus areas for DairyNZ’s…
- Talking Dairy
A newbie’s perspectives on dairy farming | Ep. 47
What’s it like coming into the dairy sector with no experience? How can farm employers make it a softer landing for newbies and increase our chances of them…
- Talking Dairy
Farming at the frontier | Ep. 46
What might NZ dairy farming look like in 2030? What strategies and technologies could Kiwi farmers adopt to get ahead of our global competitors, like US…
- Talking Dairy
Tailwinds, headwinds and opportunities for NZ dairy | Ep. 45
Covid-19, the Ukraine War and extreme weather events have created ongoing disruption globally and locally, with knock-on effects for New Zealand’s dairy…
- Talking Dairy
Recovering from an extreme weather event | Ep. 44
It’s been an incredibly tough time for farmers affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. For many, the recovery will be long and challenging. We thought it would be…
- Talking Dairy
Milk alternatives – will they cut our lunch? | Ep. 43
There’s a lot of conversation circling about milk alternatives and their potential impact on global dairy consumption and NZ dairy farming. But what do we mean…
- Talking Dairy
Managing a profit squeeze (Part 2) | Ep. 42
How are Kiwi dairy farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain their profitability? In Part 2 of this series, you’ll hear from…
- Talking Dairy
Managing a profit squeeze (Part 1) | Ep. 41
How are farmers managing their way through the current economic climate to maintain profitability? Over the next two episodes, you’ll hear from a group of…
- Talking Dairy
Contract milking part 3: employing a contract milker | Ep. 40
In this episode we wrap up our three-part series on contract milking. You’ll find out what a farm owner needs to know when it comes to employing a contract…
- Talking Dairy
Contract milking part 2: investigating a job offer | Ep. 39
How do you figure out if a contract milking position is the right one for you? What things should you be asking the farm owner, what do you look for on the…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Fieldays 2022 – Climate action for my family’s future
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, our guest is Northland third-generation dairy farmer Andrew Booth, who’s gone from climate change sceptic to…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Fieldays 2022 – From OE to winning opportunity
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, we’re joined by Zoe Bryson, who came third in the NZ Dairy Trainee of the Year Award earlier this year, after…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Fieldays 2022 – From Philippines vet to NZ dairy farmer
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, we catch up with Waikato farm manager Christopher Vila, who won last year’s NZ Dairy Manager of the Year Award…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Fieldays 2022 – Shaping up our workplaces
In this live podcast recorded at Fieldays 2022, Bay of Plenty farm manager Dayna Rowe shares her thoughts on why we need to shape up our farm workplaces to…
- Talking Dairy
Testing a lower footprint while retaining profit | Ep. 38
A lower stocking rate, less nitrogen fertiliser and less imported feed – those are the characteristics of a ‘future farm’ being tested down at Dairy Trust…
- Talking Dairy
Contract milking 101 | Ep. 37
How do you prepare to go from being a farm worker to a contract milker? What are some things to be aware of, what are the foundations for success, and how do…
- Talking Dairy
Growing the next generation of dairy farmers | Ep. 36
We all know that attracting and retaining great staff is an ongoing challenge for the dairy sector. A group of Canterbury dairy farmers have put their heads…
- Talking Dairy
Government’s emissions pricing proposal is not what sector proposed | Ep. 35
The Government has released its agriculture emissions pricing proposal. While the Government has accepted the sector’s recommendation for a farm-level…
- Talking Dairy
Getting the most from your accountant | Ep. 34
As a dairy farmer, how do you go about choosing an accountant who truly understands your specific needs and challenges? How can you take full advantage of…
- Talking Dairy
Tools for coping with farm stress | Ep. 33
Taranaki dairy farmer Kane Brisco nearly walked away from farming, worn down by the constant physical and mental strains of the job. But at his lowest, he…
- Talking Dairy
Young farm manager’s winning approach | Ep. 32
With entries for the 2023 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards about to open, we catch up with one of this year’s winners, north Waikato farmer Jimmy Cleaver. He…
- Talking Dairy
How fodder beet’s use has evolved based on farm experiences and research findings | Ep. 31
Fodder beet offers many benefits as an alternative crop to brassicas, but it also presents risks and challenges. So, what can we learn from recent research…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Farmers' Forum Series - Better together
Recorded on 15 June 2022. We have some real challenges ahead of us as a country over the coming decades when it comes to improving water quality, increasing…
- Talking Dairy
Looking in new places for dairy staff | Ep. 30
Three years ago, Quinn Morgan was a self-described city slicker, working as a personal trainer in Perth and spending hours sitting in traffic. But then, after…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Farmers' Forum Series - Attracting and looking after great people
Recorded on 20 April 2022. With over 12,000 businesses across New Zealand employing over 30,000 workers on farms, our success in attracting, retaining and…
- Talking Dairy
Take action against foot-and-mouth disease | Ep. 29
Foot-and-mouth disease has reached the tourist hot spot of Bali, and the risk of it entering NZ on the footprint of an unwary traveller or by other means, is…
- Talking Dairy
Bonus Episode: Farmers' Forum Series - Rural mental health and wellbeing
Recorded on 9 March 2022. Kiwi dairy farmers are increasingly under pressure with ever-changing regulations, acute workforce shortages, and all the…
- Talking Dairy
Wintering – not just a Southland issue | Ep. 28
Wintering on crop isn’t just a Southland issue. New National Environment Standards for intensive winter grazing will come into effect in November 2022. Farmers…
- Talking Dairy
Digging into soil carbon with Dr Jacqueline Rowarth | Ep. 27
It’s no secret that soil carbon levels on New Zealand farms are among the highest in the world. So, why aren’t dairy farmers being rewarded for it? Also, is it…
- Talking Dairy
Rural women are struggling too | Ep. 26
Stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue and other wellbeing issues are a growing concern in the rural sector. Often, the conversations we have about it are…
- Talking Dairy
Fodder beet – know what you're feeding | Ep. 25
Does fodder beet have a positive future as a feed for cows in New Zealand? What are some key things to consider when feeding beet through winter? And how do…
- Talking Dairy
New tools for reducing methane | Ep. 24
Methane is a big topic and it’s a pressing concern for our sector. We need to reduce our emissions, while improving profitability – but how? In this episode we…
- Talking Dairy
Recruiting great dairy farm workers | Ep. 23
How do we find skilled, capable and enthusiastic farm staff when they just don’t seem to be available? In this episode, Lee Astridge, a leading agriculture…
- Talking Dairy
Technology and data in dairy farming | Ep. 22
What kind of technologies are farmers already using, why, and what are the next big things that could deliver value on-farm? In this episode we cover the likes…
- Talking Dairy
Improving your herd fertility (Part 2) | Ep. 21
How can we lift the national average six-week in-calf rate from its current position of 67%? Two exciting new traits have emerged – age at puberty and AGD…
- Talking Dairy
Plantain for production and environmental wins | Ep. 20
How effective is plantain at both reducing nitrate leaching and helping to fill the feed supply in warmer months? In this episode, we’re exploring the benefits…
- Talking Dairy
Flexible milking case study and research | Ep. 19
What prompted the Lincoln University Demonstration Dairy Farm’s move to full-season 10-in-7 milking? And what impact has it had on animal health, fertility…
- Talking Dairy
Improving your herd fertility (Part 1) | Ep. 18
Does selecting bulls that have a high Fertility Breeding Value really improve your herd’s fertility? In this episode, DairyNZ senior scientist Susanne Meier…
- Talking Dairy
Heat stress strategies with Owl Farm | Ep. 17
How does heat stress affect cows, what are some warning signs, and what can you do on farm to make life more comfortable for your cows? In this episode, Tom…
- Talking Dairy
Protecting profit in a high payout | Ep. 16
How do you hold onto more of your profit when the milk price is up? We’re chatting with DairyNZ business specialist Paul Bird and Waikato farm owner Stephanie…
- Talking Dairy
What are the two emissions pricing options? | Ep. 15
Two agriculture emissions pricing options, alternative to the NZ ETS, have just been released by He Waka Eke Noa. How do the options work and how much will…
- Talking Dairy
Breeding the cow of the future | Ep. 14
When it comes to breeding decisions, which animal traits matter the most to Kiwi dairy farmers? Should environmental traits should be part of the Breeding…
- Talking Dairy
He Waka Eke Noa: Is agriculture coming into the Emissions Trading Scheme? | Ep. 13
Is agriculture going to be brought into the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)? And what role does the He Waka Eke Noa partnership have to play in reducing…
- Talking Dairy
Strategies for reducing nitrogen use | Ep. 12
Looking for some fresh ideas to reduce your nitrogen fertiliser use? On this episode, we chat with Waikato sharemilker Chris Numan, who with wife Rachel has…
- Talking Dairy
Better workplaces through flexible milking | Ep. 11
Could reducing the number of milkings in a week help the dairy sector attract new staff and improve work-life balance? One farmer who’s gone to a flexible…
- Talking Dairy
What's next for wintering? | Ep. 10
How did we arrive at our current wintering practices? What’s next for wintering animals on crop? And what kind of changes can you make on farm now? Find out in…
- Talking Dairy
Transitioning off the farm | Ep. 9
Stepping back from the day to day running of the farm is an exciting stage in life, but one that can be complex. What are the big things to consider? What are…
- Talking Dairy
Weather forecasting with NIWA’s Chris Brandolino | Ep. 8
Good weather forecasting helps farmers to make better decisions. But how exactly do meteorologists come up with their predictions? Will forecasting become more…
- Talking Dairy
Colostrum: getting your calves off to the best start | Ep. 7
Are your calves getting the colostrum they need? How are you supposed to know and what can you change to make sure they do? And what are some of the common…
- Talking Dairy
An inside look at transporting stock | Ep. 6
Once cull cows are on the truck for transport, they can be a bit out of sight, out of mind. But our responsibility for their welfare doesn’t end at the gate…
- Talking Dairy
Climate change: straight from the Minister’s mouth | Ep. 5
Where do dairy farmers fit in the climate change discussion? Can farmers have confidence that emissions targets won’t keep shifting? And what support can…
- Talking Dairy
National MP Todd Muller’s mental health journey | Ep. 4
Taking over the National Party leadership was meant to be Todd Muller’s dream job, but instead, it thrust him into a season of intense anxiety and crippling…
- Talking Dairy
Farm staff shortages and tips for recruiting and retaining staff | Ep. 3
Staff shortages can cause big headaches for dairy farmers. In this episode, we discuss what you can do to attract and retain staff, and we look at the results…
- Talking Dairy
Making sense of the Climate Change Commission's carbon budgets proposal | Ep. 2
What's in the Climate Change Commission’s carbon budgets proposal and what does it mean for dairy farmers? Do you need to do anything yet? Let’s find out from…
- Talking Dairy
Contract milking and variable order sharemilking: tips for making it work | Ep. 1
What's the difference between contract milking and variable order sharemilking? Are they still a viable progression pathway? And how do you make it work in…