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
172 episodes
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 feeding systems. They explore the full cost of producing extra milksolids, from feed...
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 In 10, Kate Fransen from DairyNZ and Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarla...
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 when they visit a farm. They explain why bigger does not necessarily mean better, wha...
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 phase of FVI research.Find out what researchers aim to find, the plans for the F...
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 are helping shape research designed to improve pasture persistence, productivity and ...
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 through spring. DairyNZ’s Dr Jane Lacy-Hulbert shares practical guidance on...
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 Environment Leader, discuss what farmers are asking for ahead of the 2026 General Election, and...
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 it that way. But with outbreaks overseas and more people travelling or visitin...
In 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 episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Mitch Cooper shares what to do when a cow goes d...
In 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 succession in the spotlight, with Jac McGowan joined by Greg Duncan from Dairy Aus...
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 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Solar on Farms p...
In 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 Duncan and farm systems expert Steve Veix. They share what to keep an eye on and where...
Take 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 is about more than an award. It is about the whānau, whenua, values and experiences ...
In 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 Lower Waikato River Delta.In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what ...
New 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 and dairy cattle vet Ryan Luckman discuss the latest advice on transition cow care, ...
In 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 tools can bring clarity and arm you with the confidence to move forward....
Unlock 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 why feeding more milk before weaning can help your heifers hit growth targets so...
In 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 help you set up a winter grazing plan that works when conditions turn. You’ll hear wh...
Finding 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 sector’s ongoing challenges – and opportunities – is how non‑replacement dairy calves are m...
What 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 more than ever. In this Talking Dairy episode, you’ll hear how strong, well‑...
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 farmers through challenging times. Rural Support Trust national chair Michelle Rudde...
Rising 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, you hear from DairyNZ economist Mark Storey and farm system specialist Mark Spei...
Precision 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 Waikato, recorded at the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference where he was a...
Tips 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 from DairyNZ share insights into how to set your effluent system up to impro...
Precision 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 and shows you how to turn information into something of value. Drawing on her keynote...
