DairyNZ Tech Series: Dairy Science in Action

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 the next associate director to join the DairyNZ Board gets underway.   If you’re a dairy farmer who’s ready to grow your governance skills and contribute to the dairy sector, this episode offers some great insights into what you need to know.   Greg is the 15th associate director on DairyNZ’s Board, since the initiative was introduced in 2013. The associate directorship is a one-year position that offers levy-paying farmers the chance to get first-hand governance experience.    Find out about the DairyNZ associate director role and how to apply  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

With the right structure, tools, and communication, contract milking and variable order sharemilking agreements become pathways for equity growth and stronger farm businesses.  This episode brings you practical insights on what makes those agreements successful for both parties. DairyNZ senior business specialist Paul Bird, and contract milker Hayden Scott, share their experience and insights on aspects such as setting fair rates, managing cashflow in your first season, and having conversations that build trust.  They also explore the expectations and pressures on each side, and how to align them so the business relationship stays strong over time. Learn more about contract milking Learn more about setting up a contract milking agreement Download the DairyNZ Contract Milking Premium Calculator.  A monthly cashflow budget takes your annual cash budget and spreads your income and expenses across the year giving you a month-by-month basis picture.  Enrol in a Dairy Training Contract Milking Course Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.   In this episode, you’ll hear from Teagasc researchers Dr Bernadette O’Brien and Dr Lisa Parce, who share what Ireland’s pasture-based farmers are doing with precision technology. How are Irish farmers making tech decisions, what motivates them to adopt new tools, and which technologies are becoming more common? Bernadette and Lisa also break down the social and farm-system factors linked to higher adoption, from herd size and labour needs, to environmental regulations and pasture management.    View the conference highlights, proceedings and more  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere — including on dairy farms. In this episode, you’ll hear from DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and Perrin Ag senior consultant Rachel Durie, who have just completed a report on how dairy farmers are using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI). They share what they found, including examples of how farmers are already using GenAI, what’s working well, the risks to watch for, and the opportunities ahead. Find out more about the research into GenAI use on dairy farms & read the report. How are you using GenAI tools on your farm? Take our short survey. Ready to try it? Try DairyNZ's DAiSY tool on the homepage or find out more here. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Revisit the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.   This episode features Sharn Roskam and Stuart Taylor, who were part of the farmer panel. Sharn farms in Winton, Southland, with her husband and four children, milking 600 cows on a 280-hectare self-contained system. Stu is a fifth-generation dairy farmer and General Manager of Farming at Craigmore Sustainables, overseeing 20 dairy farms and 16,000 cows across Canterbury and North Otago. He combines strong farming fundamentals with a focus on people, sustainability, and smart adoption of proven innovations.  They talk openly about their wins, challenges, and lessons learned from adopting different farm technologies. They also share how technology can improve efficiency and work-life balance – while acknowledging it isn’t a quick fix.   View the conference highlights, proceedings and more  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 lost production every year. As summer gets hotter and more humid, the risk rises – and research shows it’s not just a North Island problem.  In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with two experts who bring both science and practical know-how. Dr Cara Brosnahan, principal scientist at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, leads the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts research programme. She explains what the team is learning about the disease, with results from a recent farmer survey and what solutions this research will deliver for farmers in the future. Mitch Cooper, DairyNZ senior technical and policy advisor and former dairy vet, shares practical steps to prevent facial eczema, from monitoring spore counts to planning zinc supplementation Find out more about the research - B+LNZ Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme  View DairyNZ information about facial eczema  Download the DairyNZ Facial Eczema Management Guide  Get the 7 Steps to Managing Facial Eczema Using Zinc  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 Conference. Hear from Dr Nicolas Lyons, Dr Callum Eastwood, and Dr Jenny Jago as they reflect on the event.  If you were there, you’ll enjoy revisiting the highlights and hearing what stood out. If you missed it, you’ll get to hear from a range of speakers, their research and the ideas shaping the future of dairy.  This conversation kicks off the Precision Dairy Farming podcast series, packed with practical insights from farmers, researchers, and innovators.   View the highlights, proceedings and more from the conference here    Meet the scientists:  Dr Nicolas Lyons Dr Callum Eastwood  Dr Jenny Jago  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 Taranaki farmers Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson started strong with a high Breeding Worth (BW) herd. But reaching the top 1% for BW in the country? That took smart decisions and a clear plan to drive genetic gain.  In this episode, Donovan and Sophie share how they've achieved their results and the highlights from the joint DairyNZ and Fonterra event they hosted with DairyNZ area manager Talissa Squire.  Did you know? More Progressing Dairy events on improving genetic gain are coming in 2026. Find one near you. Get the DairyNZ tools and resources mentioned in this episode:  Breeding Worth - DairyNZ | DairyNZ  Tools - Animal Herd Averages | DairyNZ  Bull Search - DairyNZ | DairyNZ  Bull Team - DairyNZ | DairyNZ  Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) | DairyNZ  InCalf reproduction gap calculator - DairyNZ | DairyNZ  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Ever wondered what you’re really getting for the DairyNZ levy you pay? 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 farmers with more transparency.  Join host Jac McGowan as she talks with Dr Alan Pearson from Nimmo Bell, the independent analysts behind the report, and DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown, who commissioned the work. They explain: How $341 million in levy revenue delivered an estimated $2.98 billion in value for farmers between 2020 and 2025. Which initiatives delivered the biggest returns. Why collective investment is critical to keep dairy competitive and ready for the future. What DairyNZ is doing differently to ensure we’re focused on what matters to farmers. If you’ve ever wondered “What do I get for my levy?”, this episode gives you the answer and the facts. About the milksolids levy Summary of report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers  Report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, animal scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks explains how research using wearable technology is building a deeper understanding of cow wellbeing and their experience in pasture-based systems. Hear how scientists are combining a mix of tech and data in innovative ways to enhance research into animal care as they aim to uncover how cows respond to heat stress and other challenges, and test strategies like shade and sprinklers to see what really works. The goal? To create science-based solutions that help farmers confidently manage cow comfort and productivity more effectively in the future.  How to support positive welfare in your cows  Find out more about Heat Stress in Cows research Read more about this research in Inside Dairy November-January 2026 Meet the scientist: Stacey Hendriks Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 McGowan chats with Dairy Training tutors Julie Morgan and Pete Morgan about how small changes at milking can make a big difference. They explain how the free MilkSmart workshop can help you fine-tune your milking routine using proven DairyNZ science including MaxT, which can shave minutes off every milking, and in some cases over three hours per week. If you’d like to know how you could get time back in your day, tune in to hear more and then check out Dairy Training to find a MilkSmart workshop near you. MilkSmart - Dairy Training   About Dairy Training Dairy Training is a subsidiary of DairyNZ and registered NZQA provider. With funding from the Tertiary Education Commission and support from DairyNZ, it delivers free training to help farmers build capability. Courses are expertly designed, teaching practical skills farmers can use immediately. Dairy Training also delivers popular DairyNZ-designed workshops such as MilkSmart and CalvingSmart Check out dairytraining.co.nz to find courses and workshops available near you. Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 Dairy, we explore why animal care matters for New Zealand’s dairy competitiveness and how farmers have helped shape DairyNZ’s research right from the start. You’ll hear from Penny Timmer-Arends and Dr Stacey Hendriks as they explain what markets and consumers are asking for, how NZ compares internationally, and what influences cow comfort and welfare in our pasture-based farm systems. Penny and Stacey also discuss the challenges to good cow welfare that farmers are managing, like heat stress, comfortable lying surfaces and seasonal staffing pressure. They explain how current DairyNZ research – including work using wearable tech – is building better insights into how cows experience their environment, so farmers can make informed decisions, and our sector can stay future-ready. This episode gives you a practical overview of where animal care expectations are heading and the science that supports farmers to stay ahead.   Links to more information mentioned in this episode: Animal Welfare - DairyNZ | DairyNZ Research - Science Projects - Heat Stress | DairyNZ Research - Science Projects - United States Mega Dairies | DairyNZ The development of a tool to assess cow quality of life based on system-level attributes across pastoral dairy farms - ScienceDirect Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 DairyNZ, about how this grassroots initiative is helping farmers connect, learn, and grow stronger businesses together. SMASH began as a local idea to celebrate and support smaller herd farmers. Partnering with DairyNZ, it’s grown into a nationwide network, offering practical learning open to everyone. Find out what’s coming up on the SMASH calendar and what to expect when you head along to their events (we also heard there might be a good lunch there too). Learn more about SMASH or find an event: SMASH NZ   About DairyNZ collaboration with sector partners At DairyNZ, we work alongside trusted partners to stretch your levy further, supporting better farming, stronger communities, and a more resilient dairy sector. These partnerships aren’t just about funding. We roll up our sleeves too, offering time, tools and expertise to help deliver what matters most to farmers. By collaborating with sector leaders, we make an impact where it counts – reducing duplication, promoting better farming practices, and maintaining our independence and credibility. Together, we’re building a future that’s practical and inclusive, and maintains our competitive edge. Partnerships with organisations like SMASH reflect our shared commitment to delivering real value for New Zealand dairy farmers. Together, we’re shaping a sector that’s connected, capable and ready for the future. Find out more about DairyNZ partnerships.   Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

With Fonterra’s sale of global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis now approved, many shareholder farmers will soon receive a sizeable capital return, alongside strong milk prices. So, what’s the smartest move when opportunity knocks? In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with financial commentator Martin Hawes and MBS Advisors director and rural accountant Nigel McWilliam about how to make confident, practical decisions that strengthen both your farm and your family’s future. From paying down debt to investing off-farm - or simply taking a well-earned break - they share grounded, no-nonsense advice on how to plan for the long term, reduce pressure, and make choices that fit your goals. Thank you to Martin and Nigel for joining us on this episode. Find out more about them below: Martin Hawes MBS Advisors Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the latest DairyBase upgrades that make benchmarking faster and easier.  DairyBase, our farm benchmarking tool, now connects with Farm Focus – and soon with tools like MINDA and Fonterra – so your financial and herd data flows in with just a few clicks. That means quicker cashflow reports, timely insights, and less time at your desk.  Hear from DairyBase manager (and dairy farmer) Jodie Goudswaard, and South Waikato and Lower Waipa area manager Steph Gudgeon – also a dairy farmer and long-time DairyBase user – about how these integrations are already making a difference.  Log in to DairyBase  Not already with DairyBase?  Find out more about DairyBase  Why join DairyBase?  Join DairyBase now  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 upcoming Pasture Summit events, and why they’re a “must have” event on your calendar this spring.  Spring 2025 events are being held in Canterbury on Thursday 27 November, and Taranaki on Friday 12 December.  Find out more and register at: Pasture Summit  Pasture Summit is a farmer-led initiative focused on securing the future of pastoral dairy food production. Its events and activities bring together practical insights, shared experiences, and a strong sense of purpose. As a key partner, DairyNZ contributes funding, research-backed content, and experts to help farmers build resilient, profitable businesses and sustainable communities.  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 focused on maximising homegrown feed. If you couldn’t make it along – or want to hear another farmers’ and scientists’ perspective - this episode brings the event to you. In this episode hosted by Area Manager Mattes Groenendijk, Waimakariri contract milkers Will and Sarah Gard share how they lifted pasture harvest and milk production by focusing on the basics. You’ll also hear how they plan their grazing rounds, manage residuals, and what tools they use to make informed decisions. DairyNZ’s Dawn Dalley talks about the science behind pasture allocation and mowing, while Sarah also shares insights from the DairyNZ Improved Forage Gains programme in her other job as Senior Project Manager and Programme Lead.   Links to information mentioned in this episode: Find an event near you - DairyNZ Progressing Dairy events DairyNZ Resilient Pastures Programme Pasture fundamentals - DairyNZ information Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 latest Econ Tracker update and what watch for in the months ahead.   For more information:  DairyNZ Economic Tracker tool Access here  Article: Dairy sector outlook remains steady Read more Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 Holdings and Tony Finch from DairyNZ about what a pathway to farm ownership looks like in 2025. Hear what sets those are successful apart from the rest and inspiring stories of farmers who have recently turned their goal into reality.  Read or listen to the latest Inside Dairy story mentioned in this episode: Inside Dairy - Lessons along the way to landing the dream | DairyNZ   Links to information mentioned in this episode: Business - DairyNZ | DairyNZ Dairy Holdings Limited | Home Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

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 the results might surprise you. Kate Fransen shares the latest findings from DairyNZ’s Plantain Potency and Practice Programme and an update on what’s working, how farmers are using it effectively, and what’s next for the programme.  Find out more about this research programme: Plantain Potency and Practice Programme - DairyNZ | DairyNZ  Read the latest news story on this research: Latest plantain trial results again show role in reducing nitrogen leaching | DairyNZ  Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at talkingdairy@dairynz.co.nz Connect with DairyNZ Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected