Podcasts

Focusing on small incremental improvements alongside genetics are what is helping Pāmu deliver strong results and improve animal health.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Pāmu Chief Operating Officer Will Burrett. He discusses Pāmu’s strong annual results, regional integration, and disciplined farm systems, as well as the beef-on-dairy programme. Will explains how genetics, technology, and wearables are improving animal health and productivity, while navigating challenges such as drought and scaling Exeter’s calf rearing facilities.

Anne Lee speaks with Jonathan Mason and Emma Higgins at the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) conference. Jonathan discusses US tariffs, trade dynamics, geopolitical tensions, and Fonterra’s strategic focus on ingredients, food service, and capital returns. Emma explores “business as unusual,” the changing trade landscape, global dairy and beef trends, supply shifts, and emerging opportunities such as beef-on-dairy.

In this episode, Sarah Perriam-Lampp talks with William Morrison from Morrison Farming about supplying beef genetics to the dairy industry. He explains how decades of performance recording have produced easy-calving, fast-growing cattle, why reliability matters most for dairy farmers, and what to expect from the upcoming Ardo Hereford sale on 23 September.

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with North Canterbury sharemilkers Holly and Aaron Jackson about their dramatic reduction in mastitis early in their career and how they’ve managed to maintain award winning milk quality year after year ever since. They also share a very personal motivation for doing all they can to minimise antibiotic resistance.

Holly and Aaron explain their use of innovative diagnostics so they can manage milk quality at a quarter level not just at an udder level. They share the practical systems they now use, from incubating their own samples to managing the herd pre and post-calving and at dry-off.

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Beef + Lamb NZ Head of Genetics Dr Jason Archer about the opportunities and challenges of using beef genetics over dairy cows.

Jason explains the importance of the bull not the breed when it comes to using beef genetics over dairy. A focus on traceability throughout the supply chain will improve outcomes for dairy farmers, rearers and finishers, he says. Jason also explains the Dairy Beef Progeny Test programme.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks to Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub, and Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist at DairyNZ. Andrea provides a background on the farm’s history, how it’s set up, what’s on the agenda over the coming season and HubWatch - an easy to access, online way of getting the latest information from the Southern Dairy Hub.

Dawn explains the latest side-by-side herd study which is comparing a “standard herd” run at a 3.1 cows/ha stocking rate with a”future herd” of high genetic merit cows run at a lower stocking rate of 2.9 cows/ha. She gives an update on the first season’s results and shares insights from other studies including research on wintering practices with interesting insights into the importance of soil wetness compared with pugging depth.

In this episode, hear from LeAnne Blakelock - a Taranaki dairy farmer turning a long-standing challenge into a high-value opportunity by launching a rose veal brand from her non-replacement calves.

Drawing on her background in accounting and food production, LeAnne explains how she and husband Ian use targeted genetics and growth programmes to produce high-welfare veal. She also shares insights on calf care, rural mental health, and the need for stronger links between the dairy and beef sectors.

In this episode, Anne Lee chats with Dr John Roche, New Zealand Prime Minister’s Chief Science Adviser and Chief Departmental Science Adviser at MPI, to mark 100 years of dairy innovation.

From the early days of walk-through sheds to today’s AI-enabled systems, they explore how farmer-led ingenuity, scientific research and trusted rural media like Dairy Exporter have driven progress on pasture-based farms.

In this episode, Anne Lee and Sheryl Haitana reflect on the innovation, resilience and spirit that have shaped New Zealand’s dairy industry. From breakthroughs like the herringbone shed to the rise of virtual fencing, they explore how grassroots ingenuity and trusted rural media have driven on farm progress.

FMG’s Chief Marketing Officer, Pete Frizzell, marks 120 years of the mutual insurer, sharing how FMG has supported rural communities through risk, reinvestment and long-term commitment to farmer wellbeing.

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Fonterra’s Jim van der Poel about the evolution of New Zealand’s dairy industry. Jim reflects on the formation of Fonterra, capital structure reform, and the creation of DairyNZ, while highlighting the enduring value of the co-operative model and the Dairy Exporter’s role in guiding farmers through change.