The Dairy Exporter Podcast Proud Country Network

Over 2 million calves are produced from the dairy herd in NZ every year, with only a quarter retained for herd replacements. How do we build a ‘beef on dairy’ industry that is growing successfully in the States?

2023 Nuffield scholar and Canterbury farmer, Matt Iremonger says, money may save the bobby calf but to have a successful beef on dairy value chain several key changes need to be made to our dysfunctional supply chain.

Guests include:


Matt Iremonger - 2023 Nuffield Scholar and Canterbury farmer

Hosts:


Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Read Matt’s full Nuffield Report “What’s the Beef? Opportunities for Beef on Dairy in New Zealand”

Listen to the Beef + Lamb NZ Genetics Informing NZ Beef Podcast to hear about the popularity of Beef on Dairy in North America. 

This episode is a special bonus episode through CountryWide Media’s partnership with Rural Leaders and the New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarship. 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Figured’s modelling initially saw the start of this season with 38% of dairy farmers making a loss. Forecasts have improved by the end of the season so are the banks going to be more supportive of longer term investment into sustainability goals?

This episode shares insights & forecasts, ways to deal with the bank for the long-term and how to manage the mental load of debt and cash flow stress. 

Guests include:


Amy Milbourn, Head of Data and Lending Support, Figured
Scott Wishart, Managing Director, NZAB
Sam Owen, Managing Partner at S and J Owen partnership and Rural Support Trust Facilitator and co-host of Bullshit & Bravery podcast

Hosts:


Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, managing director of CountryWide Media

As the season wraps up, Figured’s Head of Data, Amy Milborn, shares insights on the debt stress of dairy farmers which shows whilst now only 11% are making a loss, 40% of dairy businesses have cash flow cover problems for interest costs.

“Farmers have had 16% onfarm inflation, there’s cutbacks on repairs & maintenance, production system optimisation and a high interest environment,” says Amy. 

NZAB’s Scott Wishart explains how navigating with the banks has changed and the outcome of getting it right can be as much as 4% in basis points difference all based on having the right financial hygiene & strategy.

“If you have a strategy and a plan for the long-term delivered to the bank in a professional manner then the bank doesn’t determine your business strategy for you,” explains Scott.

There’s so much more to pressure than just cashflow or staff says both Waikato farmer and Rural Support Trust co-ordinator, Sam Owen.

“Farmers just want a flag in the ground for clarity and direction for the next step without it constantly moving,” stresses Sam.

Sam’s many hats from farmer, mental health advocate and farm consultant makes his chat with Sheryl really balanced in how to help farmers build confidence in investing in sustainable initiatives. 

 

SOUTH ISLAND DAIRY EVENT (SIDE):

The South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) is a two day conference for farmers, led by farmers.

This year celebrates 25 years of the event at Lincoln University and has a packed programme of workshops and keynote speakers as well as networking with other progressive dairy farmers.

SIDE event is between 24-26th June 2024 and registrations are open now!

View the programme and register: https://www.side.org.nz/ 

 

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Early indications that if cows get to choose what they eat it may result in milk that contains higher levels of nutrients for its human consumers. 

As part of a Lincoln University research trial, cows fed a range of specific pasture species in strips are producing milk that has higher levels of compounds such as vitamins E and B.

This episode Anne Lee sits down in the studio for an in-depth interview with the researchers.

Guests include:


Pablo Gregorini, Lincoln University Professor
Dr Anita Fleming, Ashley Dene Development Farm

Hosts:


Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

Lincoln University’s Professor Pablo Gregorini and Dr Anita Fleming are leading a major study at the University’s Ashley Dene Development Farm that’s not only investigating the impacts of diverse pasture species on animal health – it’s taking the study right through to look at effects on human health too as well as the wellbeing of soils, ecosystems, farm staff and communities.

 

“We’ve selected plants that meet cow needs in terms of drymatter throughout the season but alongside that has been a selection criterion related to the metabolites we know some plants can provide. Over time, as we learn more, we may change those mixes,” Anita says. 

 

Paddocks at the Integral Health Farm have been redesigned to include Tuna (Māori for eel) shaped belts of trees, shrubs and herbal layers that run through diverse pasture species sown in distinct strips.

 

The pasture strips involve three specific mixes:

Strip one. Ryegrass and white clover, proven to grow well through spring and autumn.

Strip two. Tall fescue and meadow fescue, known to be palatable, but also deep rooting to help cope with drier summer conditions. The fescues are mixed with red, white and annual clover along with lucerne and chicory.

Strip three. Chicory and crimson clover – sown in a narrower strip.

 

The chicory and crimson clover make up the “medicinal superfood” strip while the species included in strip two are all plants identified in previous studies to contain compounds that can positively impact metabolic processes in animals, she says.

To see the pictures of the Integral Health Dairy Farm out now in the 2024 Dairy Exporter Winter our read here in the online article.

 

AUTUMN 2024 PASTURE SUMMIT:

- Bay of Plenty Event: Wednesday, 1 May 2024 hosted by Jordyn Crouch & Isaac Algar in Atiamuri.

- Southland Event: Wednesday, 8 May 2024 hosted by Sam & Jenna Hodsell in Taramoa.

View the programme and register: https://www.pasturesummit.co.nz/ 

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As we come to a close on the 2023/2024 NZ season and dairy production ramps up around the globe, what is the wash up of this season and the forecast of the season ahead?

Will the avian flu in the US represent a decline in their domestic production be good for our exports? Is China producing more dairy themselves a concern to NZ dairy exports? How do we navigate European protectionism measures against dairy?

This episode talks to three experts who are focused on the markets every day to provide our dairy farmers with an outlook ahead. 

Guests include:


Cristina Alvarado, Dairy Data & Insights, NZX
Stu Davidson, High Ground Dairy
Kimberley Crewther, Executive Director, DCANZ

Hosts:


Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter

As we slid into the end of our season at the end of May Cristina Alvarado from NZX’s Dairy Insights Team says that whilst overall the year on year data is declining, overall their milk price calculator shows an overall $7.82/kgMS when taking into account a lot of factors. 

Cristina shares with Sheryl global insights into shipping delays, avian flu in US cattle and Algerian tender for significant volume.

Stu Davidson of High Ground Dairy says don’t take your eye off China’s rise of their domestic dairy production for short-term volatility but long-term it still should be a worry as their demand will always outstrip their ability to supply themselves. 

Kimberley Crewther explains about the work DCANZ has been doing for dairy trade access and has been busy at the moment representing their 11 members to operate in a highly constrained and distorted environment globally as countries hold tightly onto non-tariff protectionism. 

AUTUMN 2024 PASTURE SUMMIT:

- Bay of Plenty Event: Wednesday, 1 May 2024 hosted by Jordyn Crouch & Isaac Algar in Atiamuri.

- Southland Event: Wednesday, 8 May 2024 hosted by Sam & Jenna Hodsell in Taramoa.

View the programme and register: https://www.pasturesummit.co.nz/ 

SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)

SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine being one of the 14 dairy farmers tasked with moving the freshwater quality status from ‘excellent’ to ‘absolutely amazing’ with it all down to reducing milligrams of nitrate per litre without solid science! 

 

Te Waikoropupu Springs in Golden Bay has been at the centre of what the Environment Court commissioner describes as a jigsaw with missing pieces - those pieces are a whole lot of science as the lag time from nitrates entering the Springs could be as long as 100 yrs!

 

Find out how these farmers are de-risking their farming business in the face of huge uncertainty, the power of having a collective voice in your catchment and how virtual fencing technology is supporting the challenge.

Guests include:


Corrigan Sowman & Cherrie Chubb, inter-generational Golden Bay dairy farmers
Steve Crowhurst, Partnership Manager, Halter
Tanya Bramley Regional Coordinator,  NZ Landcare Trust - Ngā Matapopore Whenua

Hosts:


Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

 

Corrigan Sowman & Cherrie Chubb are both dairy farming in the catchment and explain to Sheryl how they are faced with reducing nitrates from 0.44 mg/L to 0.41 mg/L by 2038 when most other catchments around the country can be sitting between 5-20mg/L. 

If they don’t move the dial they will see their irrigation consents not renewed and ⅓ production gone. So how to navigate changes to your farming business without a direct cause & effect?

Read about their article “Aquifer Puzzle” about farming near the clearest water ever measured in the Dairy Exporter Winter 2024 magazine or click here to read online.

Halter’s Partnership Manager, Steve Crowhurst, shares the multiple benefits for Corrigan Sowman using Halter’s virtual fencing and pasture technology to manage their sensitive environment whilst remaining profitable.

Halter have slashed their prices 37% for you to get started across virtual fencing, shifting, growing and harvesting more grass, heat detection and animal health - learn more here. 

And the episode finishes with Sheryl learns more about the power of getting involved in your local catchment with NZ Landcare Trust - Ngā Matapopore Whenua from Tanya Bramley Regional Coordinator - Manawatu/Whanganui

Learn more about  NZ Landcare Trust 

AUTUMN 2024 PASTURE SUMMIT:

- Bay of Plenty Event: Wednesday, 1 May 2024 hosted by Jordyn Crouch & Isaac Algar in Atiamuri.

- Southland Event: Wednesday, 8 May 2024 hosted by Sam & Jenna Hodsell in Taramoa.

View the programme and register: https://www.pasturesummit.co.nz/ 

SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)

SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER  - MAGAZINE ($59/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring calf rearing will whip round in no time! Listen to four experts full of advice from shed preparation, getting enough colostrum and weaning on a rising plane. 

 

Our guests share their experience and research to ensure your calves receive the right antibodies, milk allowance and hygiene for the best start in life that will return dividends in the years to come. 

Guests include:


Karen Fraser and Stacey Cosnett from The Calf Experts
Philip Spies, Sales Manager - NZ, MaxCare
Emma Cuttance, Managing Director of EpiVets Ltd

Hosts:


Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter
Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter
Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Managing Director, CountryWide Media

Karen Fraser and Stacey Cosnett from The Calf Experts explain to Anne Lee that now (Autumn) is the ideal time to review your calf rearing system – noting what works well and what needs improving. 

Read about their article “A Calf Rearing Masterclass” about the rewards of good preparation out now in the Dairy Exporter Winter 2024 magazine or click here to read online.

MaxCare’s Philip Spies shares with Sarah the importance of ensuring we wean our calves on a rising plane and that you are on the right calf milk replacer for the right situation.

Check out MaxCare’s helpful free mobile app with tips & videos to support you and your team for your calf rearing season ahead. 

And the episode finishes with Sheryl learning about some interesting research from Emma Cuttance of EpiVets about the importance of passive transfer of antibodies from the colostrum as cows are the only mammal that don’t pass this on from cow to calf in the placenta!  

Read Emma’s PhD here online on the relationships between failure of passive transfer and subsequent mortality, body weights and lactation performance in 12-36 month old heifers.

 

AUTUMN 2024 PASTURE SUMMIT:

- Bay of Plenty Event: Wednesday, 1 May 2024 hosted by Jordyn Crouch & Isaac Algar in Atiamuri.

- Southland Event: Wednesday, 8 May 2024 hosted by Sam & Jenna Hodsell in Taramoa.

View the programme and register: https://www.pasturesummit.co.nz/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.