DAIRY Country Autumn 2026

There’s been a lot of talk when it comes to the new wave of dairy conversions but what’s really going on in terms of design and fitout? In this episode Anne Lee speaks with Tambo consultant Luke Palmer about what setups farmers are favouring, what they should be aware of when planning and what costs are on the rise. Tambo is an agribusiness management and consultancy company that has been working with a number of recent and planned conversions. Luke says it’s important to start with a clear understanding of the “why”, whether it’s expansion, succession, or improving system efficiency to guide decisions around design, scale, and investment.

The Science for Farmers tent at the Wānaka A&P Show this year gave farmers a great chance to see and hear about a wide range of research as well as ways that’s being implemented on farms. Dairy Country Podcast host Anne Lee was there and talked to Danny Donaghy of Massey University, Pāmu’s Head of Sustainability Sam Bridgman, and LIC Senior Herd Improvement Specialist Simon Worth. Each shared the ways science and innovation are helping farmers respond to climate pressure, lift system resilience, and future-proof performance.

A closer look at how wearable technology is reshaping animal health highlights just how quickly on-farm decision making is evolving, and why early intervention is becoming increasingly achievable. Veterinarian at Kaipara Farm Vets, Rory Dean, unpacks a real-time case study, explaining how collar data revealed a sudden drop in rumination and feed intake, signalling a serious internal issue before it became critical.

A closer look at drench resistance in dairy systems highlights how rapidly conventional parasite control methods are becoming less effective and why farmers need to take a more strategic approach. WormWise programme manager and veterinarian Ginny Dodunski unpacks the latest data and on-farm observations, explaining what drench resistance is, how it develops over time, and why it can remain hidden until it starts affecting animal performance.

A deep dive into the data on substitution rates based on real measurements reveals just how careful farmers need to be when it comes to budgeting on the returns from supplementary feeding. The Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Dr John Roche shared his analysis at a Taranaki Pasture Summit field day in late 2025 and in this podcast episode he steps listeners through his findings, explaining substitution rates and the concept of marginal milk. Drawing on extensive research and practical examples, he outlines why more feed does not always translate to more profit, and how important it is to look at the real costs of the extra production.

Lynaire Ryan from Agribusiness Education and Paul Bird from DairyNZ are focused on helping farmers build long-term wealth by improving financial understanding and making better use of the tools available within the dairy industry. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about the pathways available to farmers, how different operating structures support progression, and why the sector continues to offer strong opportunities for those starting out or looking to grow.

Ben Watson and Charlotte Gray from Genez are focused on improving outcomes for dairy and beef farmers by turning dairy-origin non-replacement calves into a more valuable part of the system through better beef genetics. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the pair about how the business has developed, where their genetics come from, and how they are working with both beef breeders and dairy farmers to lift performance across the supply chain.

Eldon and Roseanne Megaw have built a career in dairy through contract milking while steadily growing equity in property and farm partnerships. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with the couple about their journey from early farm experiences and managing roles through to investing in residential property and stepping into an equity partnership at Aranui, a fully irrigated Canterbury farm.

Canadians find themselves caught between trade negotiations with the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China, and their diversification plans greatly concern New Zealand dairy exporters. Words Sarah Perriam-Lampp.

A Brix test may mean high sugar for the horticulture sector but when it comes to measuring pasture quality, farmers are being told to look to traditional feed quality analysis by scientists who have been looking into the measure. In this episode, Anne Lee talks with Dr Beverley Thomson of On-Farm Research at Poukawa, Hawke’s Bay about her study comparing Brix as a measure of pasture quality with traditional laboratory based analysis including metabolisable energy (ME), drymatter (DM), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF).