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
101 episodes
Summer yarns: Contract milking 101 | Bonus episode
Welcome to the third and final Talking Dairy summer yarn. In this bonus episode, we revisit the Contract Milking 101 episode with ag consultant Brendon Attrill and contract milker Rachael Foy. In this moment, they discuss why understanding cows...
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12:10
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Summer yarns: New milking frequency trends and the impact of OAD in early lactation | Bonus episode
Welcome to the second of our Talking Dairy summer yarns. In this bonus episode, we revisit the most downloaded episode of 2024 where Dr. Paul Edwards and Kent Weston-Arnold share fresh insights on new milking frequency trends and the rise of on...
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12:32
Summer yarns: ‘Dairy farming saved my life’ | Bonus episode
Welcome to the first of our Talking Dairy summer yarns. In this bonus episode, we revisit a moment from the inspiring story of Emma Walton, a young contract milker from Waikato. Hear how dairy farming not only saved her life but also gave her p...
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11:24
Choosing the right supplements for your situation | Ep. 91
What’s your game plan when pasture growth slows down or a dry spell hits? Do you know which supplement will give you the best value for money? And how do you balance cost and risk when planning for the future? In this episode of Tal...
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31:01
DairyNZ’s new Chair talks challenges, change, and the future of farming | Ep. 90
In Episode 90 of Talking Dairy, we’re joined by Tracy Brown, the new Chair of DairyNZ.Tracy is a proud advocate for farmers and rural communities, bringing years of hands-on experience and leadership to the role.In this episode, T...
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11:33
How to stop lameness in its tracks | Ep. 89
Do we really know the cost of lameness? And more importantly, what can we do to stop it? In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan speaks with Winston Mason, a Veterinarian and Epidemiologist at EpiVets, and Frank Portegys, Senior Area Mana...
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33:36
Dairy’s economic outlook and what it means for farmers | Ep. 88
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we cover recent financial shifts that have farmers feeling cautiously optimistic. Over the past few seasons, dairy farmers have been grappling with high costs, increasing interest rates, and unexpected drops in...
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26:39
A sharper focus to face the challenges of dairy farming | Ep. 87
Campbell Parker has been leading DairyNZ for a year as Chief Executive. So, what’s his take on the state of New Zealand dairy? And what are his plans for the challenges dairy farmers face now and in the future?In episode 87 of Talking Da...
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26:01
Mastering mastitis: Tips to tackle SCC and boost milk quality | Ep. 86
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges on farm – mastitis. What should you do if your herd test shows high somatic cell count (SCC) cows? How do you find and manage those “invisible” subclinical case...
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28:42
Gene tech and dairy farming – what’s next for NZ farmers | Ep. 85
In Episode 85 of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan chats with Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ’s Chief Science Advisor, about gene technologies in relation to the dairy sector. With the New Zealand Government updating its laws on gene technology, Bruce expl...
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20:54
New milking frequency trends and the impact of OAD in early lactation | Ep. 84
What milking frequency trends are emerging across different regions? What factors are driving the adoption of once-a-day (OAD) milking in early lactation? And what are the pros and cons?In this episode of Talking Dairy, we’re joined by D...
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30:01
What actions between calving and mating can improve in-calf rates? | Ep. 83
How can your actions during calving impact success at mating? In this episode of Talking Dairy, we talk about reproduction and look at what actions during calving can impact success at mating time. We’re joined by Katrina Roberts, Herd Health V...
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23:56
Thriving after calving: Key cow care and recovery tips | Ep. 82
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we cover the important topic of preventing down cows during the calving period and providing essential care and recovery for those that do go down. Join our host Jac McGowan and guest Mitch Cooper, a veterinari...
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23:14
Farm to boardroom: Cam Henderson on leading DairyNZ | Ep. 81
On this episode of Talking Dairy by DairyNZ, we sit down with Cam Henderson, a dairy farmer and farmer-elected board member of DairyNZ. Cam shares his journey from the farm to the boardroom, revealing the challenges and rewards and offering pra...
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18:28
What cows prefer in winter | Ep. 80
Welcome to Episode 80 of Talking Dairy. Winter can be challenging on dairy farms, and knowing what cows need during these cold, wet months is crucial for their health and productivity. In this episode, we are excited to have Dawn Dalley, a Seni...
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23:26
Progress on water quality: where are we at and where are we going? | Ep. 79
In this episode of Talking Dairy, we dive into the topic of ongoing water quality improvement efforts by the dairy sector with Aslan Wright-Stow, Senior Manager - Science at DairyNZ. Aslan shares valuable insights on the sectors’ commitments, t...
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27:11
DairyBase celebrates 20-year milestone | Ep. 78
How do you benchmark your farm systems and performance within the sector? DairyBase enables you to better understand your farm system and its performance, by comparing KPIs (key performance indicators) and determining what is working well, then...
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17:13
Keeping a spring in your step | Ep. 77
Injuries are commonplace on farm, ACC shares that 40% of farm injuries are from a sprain or strain and most of these occur between August to October, aligning with spring calving for a lot of farmers. In this episode we talk to DairyNZ Senior S...
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27:15
Animal care consults | Ep. 76
Animals are at the heart of every farming business. To support the sector in achieving high levels of animal welfare, DairyNZ has been interviewing farmers about their animal care practices for over a decade now. Join us as DairyNZ Lead Advisor...
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23:28
Choosing the best genetics for your herd | Ep. 75
When it comes to breeding more efficient cows, why is genetic gain so important and how can NZAEL’s online tools help? Join us as we talk to Rhiannon Handcock DairyNZ’s NZAEL scientist and dairy farmer Michelle Burgess, about the latest in dair...
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27:35
An economic update: a year in review and new season forecasts | Ep. 74
When it comes to budgeting on farm and forecasting spend, how do others do this? Join us as we talk to Mark Storey DairyNZ’s Head of Economics and Louise Collingwood – a South Waikato farmer, about the latest economic insights and newly updated...
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19:06
Monitoring waterway health | Ep. 73
When it comes to monitoring waterway health, what makes up a holistic assessment of stream health?In this episode, we talk to DairyNZ Principal Scientist Dr. Craig Depree, who shares his approach on ecosystem health and what environmenta...
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23:00
People leadership and motivating the next generation | Ep. 72
When it comes to leadership and motivating the next generation, how do others do this? Join us for part two of our people leadership series, as we talk Tawera Nikau a retired professional rugby league player, who is now farmer, businessman and ...
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24:04
Water quality research update | Ep. 71
When it comes to improving water quality, what does best practice look like? And how do you invest in long-term solutions to meet changing regional regulations? Join us as we talk to DairyNZ Senior Water Quality Scientist Dr Katrina Macintosh a...
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22:48
How to invest in your people and be the best leader possible | Ep. 70
When it comes to managing a team, what does good leadership look like? And how do you invest in developing people when times are financially tough? In this people leadership series, we’re talking to different farm businesses across the country ...
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25:09