DAIRY Country

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DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee. Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand. Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with ourthousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world. Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in thebusiness of dairy farming into the future.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 135 - A better spring at LUDF

    After several tough springs, Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) has had a much better start to the season, with good pasture growth and utilisation, cows calving on the milking platform and milksolids tracking ahead of target. Anne Lee speaks with LUDF Demonstration Lead Antoinette Archer and Farm Manager Peter Hancox about the season so far, the farm’s mating plan and the decisions coming out of its latest focus day.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Antoinette Archer, Demonstration Lead, Lincoln University Dairy Farm Peter Hancox, Farm Manager, Lincoln University Dairy Farm   Antoinette explains why the farm has moved from 10-in-7 milking back to a tactical twice-a-day system, and why it is speeding up regrassing to as much as 25% of the platform this season to tackle weeds and lift pasture production. Peter discusses the farm’s all-AI mating plan using collars, sexed semen and beef across the bottom 40% of the herd, plus a run of 21 sets of twins this spring. They also cover how rising feed, fertiliser and fuel prices are affecting the farm’s budget, along with the beef-on-dairy panel at the focus day. That panel looked at Pāmu’s push to rear more of its calves, the development of a finishing value index (FVI), and why strong relationships along the supply chain are key to making beef-on-dairy work.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 135 - A better spring at LUDF

  2. Oct 22

    Episode 134 - Protein powers the market

    Skim milk powder has long been the by-product of the dairy world, but strong global demand for protein has turned it into one of the main drivers of the market. Anne Lee speaks with HighGround Dairy’s Stu Davison about the forces behind the latest Global Dairy Trade jump of more than 4%. They cover skim milk powder prices topping US$4000/t for the first time since 2022, and why milkfat prices are falling while powders are rising.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Stu Davison, HighGround Dairy   Stu explains how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, protein-enhanced foods and the shift towards milk protein concentrate and ultra-filtered milk have tightened global skim supplies. He also explains why the Middle East bought its largest GDT volumes since 2012. Speaking from Singapore after visits to Indonesia and China, he shares what he saw on the ground: falling milk production in China, cautious Chinese consumers, and new desert dairy farms in Inner Mongolia and Algeria that New Zealand will have to compete with. Anne and Stu also discuss Europe’s surprisingly resilient milk supply, the growing stocks of butter, and milk price futures trading above $10/kgMS. Stu explains the role of the weak Kiwi dollar and the risk to prices if El Niño doesn’t cut milk supply as much as the market expects. He also makes the case for a disciplined hedging policy over trying to pick the market.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 134 - Protein powers the market

  3. Oct 15

    Episode 133 - Inside the NZ Dairy Industry Awards

    Entries for the new season of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards opened on October 5, and outgoing National Committee Chair Maegan Legg joins Anne Lee to talk about how the programme has helped launch farming careers, from expert judges’ feedback to the networks entrants build.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Maegan Legg, Committee Chair, New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards   Maegan shares how entering the awards in 2020 helped her and husband Terry set goals beyond sharemilking, leading to the purchase of a 56-hectare block of land. She explains how preparing an entry strengthens communication and planning on farm, and how the awards have evolved, including the extended age range for Dairy Trainee of the Year and the new Alumni of the Year and First Farm awards. With national committee positions opening up, she also has advice for anyone on the fence about entering. “Just do it.”   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 133 - Inside the NZ Dairy Industry Awards

  4. Oct 8

    Episode 132 - What's DairyNZ up to?

    A record dairy production season coupled with last year’s increase in the levy farmers pay to DairyNZ boosted the organisation’s income to more than $90m,  Anne Lee speaks with DairyNZ CEO Campbell Parker about how the organisation is investing farmers’ money, rebuilding reserves and deciding where funding is needed most across research, science, farmer engagement and industry programmes.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Campbell Parker, CEO, DairyNZ   Campbell shares details on DairyNZ’s major areas of investment, including its resilient pastures, dairy beef opportunities and the responsible dairy programmes. He explains work being carried out in biosecurity, DairyBase, genetics and farmer training along with how farmers are using AI (artificial intelligence). Campbell talks about how DairyNZ ensures there are robust checks and balances around research and co-funded programmes, and why farmer feedback will be important as the organisation develops its strategy for the next five years.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 132 - What's DairyNZ up to?

  5. Sep 30

    Episode 131 - Couple Goals

    Profitability in dairy farming comes down to getting both sides of the equation right, and Hugh and Anna Edward have built a system around tight cost control, strong pasture management and making every kilogram of feed count. Anne Lee speaks with the Putaruru couple about their journey from sharemilking to owning two adjoining farms, running 650 cows across 350 hectares and running separate, his and her, Jersey and Friesian herds through the season.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Hugh and Anna Edward, South Waikato Farmers   Hugh and Anna discuss how they manage their first grazing round and the focus they have on driving intakes of high quality pasture by closely monitoring both pre-grazing covers and post-grazing residuals. They use supplements judiciously to get a high milksolids response for every kilogram of bought-in drymatter and have a strong focus on buying fed in at the best possible price. They explain what’s behind their impressive six-week in-calf rate of 84% with planning for that starting early in the previous autumn.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 131 - Couple Goals

  6. Sep 24

    Episode 130 - The end of an era for Tatua

    Tatua Cooperative chairman Steve Allen is stepping down after nearly 30 years on the board, including a long tenure as chairman. Anne Lee speaks with Steve about his journey from farming a small 160-cow herd to growing his farming business and becoming involved in the governance of one of New Zealand’s smallest and most specialised dairy co-operatives. They talk about the decisions that allowed Tatua to remain independent through deregulation and the formation of Fonterra.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Steve Allen, retiring Tatua Co-operative Chairman   Steve discusses the thinking behind Tatua’s decision to stand alone, the co-operative’s focus on adding value to farmers’ milk and its disciplined approach to growth, investment and retaining earnings. He also reflects on the importance of leadership and culture, the role of the board in choosing a chief executive and allocating capital, and why he remains positive about the future of New Zealand food and dairy. Find out more about the Better Pastures Together podcast by Barenbrug here: https://barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 130 - The end of an era for Tatua

  7. Sep 17

    Episode 129 - From burnout to balance

    Farm ownership can feel like a long way off for young dairy farmers, but Abbi Ayre and Frikkie Terblance are steadily working their way towards the goal. Anne Lee speaks with the West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Industry Award winners about their journey from early careers and contract managing to leasing farms and working towards ownership, while also discussing the personal challenges they have faced along the way.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Abbi Ayre and Frikkie Terblance, West Coast Contract Milkers   Abbi shares her experience of burnout early in her dairy career and her journey through postpartum psychosis following the births of her children, while Frikkie talks about the impact it had on their family and the lack of support available for partners. They discuss the importance of recognising the warning signs, finding practical tools to protect mental wellbeing and building connections within rural communities. The couple also explain how they have used technology such as virtual fencing to manage their farms, the lessons they have learnt from different ownership models and why keeping business arrangements simple and aligned is key to achieving their goal of owning their own farm.   Read the article featuring Abbi Ayre and Frikkie Terblance here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/from-burnout-to-balance/ Find out more about the Better Pastures Together podcast by Barenbrug here: https://barenbrug.co.nz/podcasts Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 129 - From burnout to balance

  8. Sep 10

    Episode 128 - Southern Dairy Hub: More from less

    The Southern Dairy Hub is exploring what the future of dairy farming could look like through a side-by-side comparison of high genetic merit cows run at a 0.5 cows per hectare lower stocking rate than a more traditional herd. Anne Lee speaks with Southern Dairy Hub Acting General Manager Greg Delaney and DairyNZ Senior Scientist Dr Dawn Dalley about the latest results from the demonstration farm, including higher milk solids production per cow with significantly less supplementary feed.   Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guests: Greg Delaney, General Manager, Southern Dairy Hub Dr Dawn Dalley, Scientist, DairyNZ   Dawn explains how the future herd produced more than 520kg of milksolids per cow compared with 470kg for the standard herd, while using close to 40% of the  supplementary feed last season. In terms of total production, on a per hectare basis, production in the lower stocked, future herd is getting close to that of the standard herd. The future herd production was less than 100kg MS/ha lower than the standard herd. They also discuss grass-based wintering, body condition score changes and the wider potential benefits of running a lower-stocked, high genetic merit system. Greg and Dawn talk about the Hub’s new 1000-square-metre standoff pad, its design and how it’s being used to improve animal welfare during calving. The farm’s HubWatch weekly farm data updates are now available for the new season.  Dawn and Greg also give an update on the process underway to determine the Southern Dairy Hub’s future strategic direction.   Sign up to the weekly DAIRY Country email newsletter here: https://dairycountry.co.nz/sign-up/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 128 - Southern Dairy Hub: More from less
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About

DAIRY Country is your mainstay in dairy farming as your trusted source for adding value to your dairy farming business with seasonal on farm stories and exclusive technical advice weekly with your host, Anne Lee. Formally the NZ Dairy Exporter since 1925, DAIRY Country is part of the CountryWide network based in Canterbury, New Zealand. Get in touch with our Anne Lee - anne@countrywidemedia.co.nz if you have a great insight to share with ourthousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world. Don’t miss our weekly episodes of the DAIRY Country Podcast by hitting the subscribe button now and join our DAIRY Country weekly email newsletter to get the latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in thebusiness of dairy farming into the future.

Information

  • Creator
    CountryWide Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    DAIRY Country

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