by Proud Country Network
<p>It’s been your mainstay in dairy farming since 1925 as your trusted source of adding<br>value to your dairy business, now it’s time for the Dairy Exporters’s seasonal stories<br>to exclusive weekly interviews to come straight to your ears with this brand-spanking<br>new podcast.</p> <p><br>It’s here you can seek out the guidance, inspiration and smarts it takes to dairy farm<br>into the future to be outstanding in your field on The Dairy Exporter Podcast hosted<br>by Editor &Deputy Editor of Dairy Exporter, Sheryl Haitana & Anne Lee and her<br>fellow journalists.<br><br>Get in touch with our Editor of Dairy Exporter on email<br>[email protected] if you have a great insight to share with our<br>thousands of readers and listeners in New Zealand and around the world.</p> <p><br>Don’t miss our weekly episodes of The Dairy Exporter Podcast by hitting the<br>subscribe button now and <a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/">join our Dairy Exporter weekly email newsletter</a> to get the<br>latest in-depth stories in your mailbox so you are always ahead of the game in the<br>business of dairy farming into the future.</p> <p>Visit the website to subscribe: <a href="http://www.dairyexporter.co.nz">www.dairyexporter.co.nz</a> </p>
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April 24, 2025
<p>This episode showcases some of the highlights from the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE) 2025, held in Timaru in April. Jason Archer of Beef + Lamb NZ explains how beef genetics boost the value and sustainability of dairy-origin calves. Rebecca Furzeland shares insights from her large-scale calf rearing business focused on quality, health, and teamwork. Ryan Luckman draws on data from cow wearables on 100,000+ cows to share learnings you can apply to your farm system. Rosanne Megaw shares her and husband Eldon’s journey from contract milking to equity partnership and Glenn Jones wraps with reflections on SIDE 2025 and shares what’s coming for next year.</p> <p> </p> <p>Guests:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Jason Archer, Head of Genetics, Beef + Lamb NZ</li> <li aria-level="1">Rebecca Furzeland, Calf Rearer</li> <li aria-level="1">Ryan Luckman, CEO, Agvisory.NZ</li> <li aria-level="1">Rosanne Megaw, Dairy Farm Owner</li> <li aria-level="1">Glenn Jones, Governance Group Chair, SIDE</li> </ol> <p>Hosts:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> <li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p>With a background in animal genetics and innovation, Jason Archer is Head of Genetics at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, where he leads efforts to lift the value of dairy-origin calves through better use of beef genetics. Around 1.8 million surplus calves are born annually in New Zealand’s dairy sector, many with limited value or market potential. Jason highlights how countries like Ireland have successfully reduced bobby calf numbers by focusing on calf quality and introducing rearing standards that incentivise better breeding decisions.</p> <p>Beef-on-dairy calves not only offer improved value for finishers but also have a lower carbon footprint, as emissions are partially allocated to milk production. Jason’s work through the Dairy Beef Progeny Test has supported the development of a new beef-on-dairy index and the nProve.nz platform. He advocates for using recorded genetics to improve calving ease, growth, and carcass traits, helping to align dairy and beef systems more effectively.</p> <p> </p> <p>Rebecca Furzeland runs a specialist calf rearing and grazing operation with her husband Andrew near Methven, Canterbury. Since starting in 2013 with just 100 calves, they now rear around 3,000–3,500 annually across owned and leased land. Rebecca explains their dedicated approach, with a strong focus on quality, nutrition, rumen development, and health—particularly during transition periods.</p> <p>Early engagement with dairy farmers is key. The Furzelands prioritise dam vaccinations, colostrum management, and FPT testing to ensure calves have strong passive immunity. Selection criteria include weight, health status, and vigour. They maintain detailed records and track performance by breed to identify trends and improve outcomes.</p> <p>Challenges include biosecurity, rising costs, and ensuring year-round supply. Rebecca highlights the growing collaboration with dairy farmers around beef genetics and the increasing demand for breeds like Charolais. She’s committed to data-driven improvements and applying global insights to enhance New Zealand systems.</p> <p> </p> <p>With a reputation for translating data into practical on-farm change, Ryan Luckman is known for his expertise in wearable technologies and their application in modern dairy systems. Speaking at SIDE, he drew on five years of large-scale data collected from over 100,000 cows to share insights that go far beyond just wearable users. His key message: success is driven by consistent 1% improvements, not silver bullets.</p> <p>Ryan highlighted several practical areas where data has shifted advice—from the critical importance of calving second-lactation cows at a BCS of 5.5, to optimising transition feeding by meeting energy targets. He shared new thinking around heat detection, short gestation use, phantom scanning, and energy management using milk protein levels.</p> <p>Together with farmer case studies, Ryan’s insights form a valuable checklist for performance review—helping farmers align management with proven data-driven outcomes.</p> <p> </p> <p>Speaking at SIDE, Rosanne Megaw shared their journey—from contract milking to entering an equity partnership—all underpinned by a 589% increase in equity over just seven years.</p> <p>Rather than focusing solely on spreadsheets and budgets, Rosanne emphasised four core drivers of their success: strong relationships, attention to detail, flexibility, and self-worth. Their approach blends disciplined financial management with a belief-driven mindset—asking “why not us?” and building wealth through property, managed funds, and other investments alongside farming.</p> <p>The Megaws’ story offers more than inspiration—it’s a practical roadmap for progression, showing that with the right mindset and strategy, the path to ownership remains open and achievable.</p> <p> </p> <p>Glenn Jones, Chair of this year’s SIDE committee, led a successful shift in both timing and location—bringing the conference to Timaru in April. The new format gave farmers the chance to step off farm during a quieter period and engage in practical, in-depth sessions. A key innovation was the streamlined workshop structure: just two workshops per day, each repeated, allowing for richer discussions and greater accessibility.</p> <p>Highlights included Emma Twigg’s keynote on resilience and teamwork, Dr Alan Ford’s energetic session on leadership and productivity, and farmer-led workshops tackling mastitis and financial planning. The Mcgaws’ story of achieving farm ownership through “financial hygiene” particularly resonated.</p> <p>BrightSIDE was also a standout, inspiring younger attendees with real stories from young farmers forging their own paths. For Glenn, the event’s value lies in connection and continual learning—reminding attendees that success is built through community, curiosity, and consistent effort. SIDE returns to Lincoln in 2026.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/autumn-2025/">Buy the Dairy Exporter Autumn Issue here</a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/"><strong>EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)</strong></a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/"><strong>MAGAZINE ($79/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</strong></a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
April 17, 2025
<p>In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Kirsty Verhoek explains how heat stress affects cow comfort and productivity, and how the Grazing Heat Load Index (GHLI) improves on traditional measures like the Temperature Humidity Index. Dr Paul Edwards discusses how GHLI, combined with digital technologies, helps farmers identify regional heat stress risks and take timely action. Dr Roshean Woods introduces a new bulk milk urea (BMU) tool that provides near real-time insights into dietary nitrogen surplus, helping farmers optimise herd health and reduce nitrogen loss. Together, they highlight how these tools support farm resilience and sustainability in a changing climate.</p> <p> </p> <p>Guests:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Kirsty Verhoek, Senior Scientist, DairyNZ</li> <li aria-level="1">Paul Edwards, Science Lead, DairyNZ</li> <li aria-level="1">Roshean Woods, Senior Scientist, DairyNZ</li> </ol> <p>Hosts:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> <li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p>With a background in ruminant nutrition and greenhouse gas emissions, Dr Kirsty Verhoek is a senior scientist at DairyNZ, where she leads research into cow comfort and the impacts of heat stress in New Zealand’s pasture-based systems. Kirsty explains how heat stress occurs when cows can’t offload excess heat, resulting in behaviour changes, reduced feed intake, and lower milk production.</p> <p>She outlines how international indices like the Temperature Humidity Index (THI) fall short in NZ conditions, prompting the development of the Grazing Heat Load Index (GHLI), which incorporates solar radiation and wind speed. Kirsty also shares how digital technologies, such as rumen boluses and collar sensors, are enabling better detection of heat stress indicators like respiration rate.</p> <p>Kirsty emphasises the complexity of managing heat stress across diverse regional climates and the importance of tailored, farmer-led approaches. Through DairyNZ’s Enhanced Animal Care programme, she is working closely with farmers to co-develop practical strategies that prioritise cow wellbeing and support long-term farm resilience.</p> <p> </p> <p>With over 15 years at DairyNZ, Dr Paul Edwards specialises in farm systems research, focusing on heat stress risk for dairy cows. He discusses how his recent work, alongside Dr Kirsty Verhoek, uses digital technologies and climate data to predict heat stress through the Grazing Heat Load Index (GHLI), which forecasts cow respiration rates based on weather conditions. This allows farmers to implement timely mitigations.</p> <p>Paul highlights the regional differences in heat stress risk, with areas like Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Canterbury most affected, and the importance of tailored solutions. He also explains his research on how cows use shade, using data from wearable sensors and LiDAR technology to better understand cow behaviour and inform farm infrastructure design.</p> <p>Paul emphasises that heat stress is an immediate concern, and his research provides farmers with practical, science-based strategies to improve cow wellbeing and resilience to climate change.</p> <p> </p> <p>With years of experience in ruminant nutrition and environmental science, Dr Roshean Woods is a senior scientist at DairyNZ, where she leads research into nitrogen management and sustainability in New Zealand’s pasture-based dairy systems. Roshean explains the significance of bulk milk urea (BMU) as an indicator of dietary nitrogen surplus, highlighting how it can help farmers monitor herd health and optimise nutrient efficiency.</p> <p>She outlines the recent development of a BMU indicator tool, designed to provide near real-time data to support farm management decisions. This tool helps farmers identify when there is a greater risk of nitrogen excretion and offers practical guidelines for mitigating environmental impacts, such as reducing nitrogen loss to waterways.</p> <p>Roshean emphasises the complexity of nitrogen management in New Zealand’s diverse farming systems, and how the BMU tool fits alongside other strategies to improve farm efficiency, boost productivity, and protect the environment.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/autumn-2025/">Buy the Dairy Exporter Autumn Issue here</a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/"><strong>EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)</strong></a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/"><strong>MAGAZINE ($79/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</strong></a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
April 10, 2025
<p>In this episode, Sam Mander, director of AgriIntel, walks listeners through the New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), giving a 101 on the scheme and outlining its opportunities for farmers. He discusses carbon credits, forestry models, and earning NZUs, including how to earn NZU’s from agroforestry and riparian planting. Sam highlights the financial and environmental benefits of understanding the ETS and how it can help farmers navigate the future of low-emissions agriculture. Anne Lee also recently attended SIDE where she spoke to Cameron Bagrie about American President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs and how economic stability will look heading into the future.</p> <p> </p> <p>Guest:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Sam Mander, Director, Agri Intel</li> <li aria-level="1">Cameron Bagrie, Lead Economist, Bagrie Economics</li> </ol> <p>Hosts:</p> <ol> <li aria-level="1">Sheryl Haitana, Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> <li aria-level="1">Anne Lee, Deputy Editor, Dairy Exporter</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p>Sam Mander, director of AgriIntel, explores the intricacies of New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and its potential benefits for farmers. He outlines how carbon credits and sustainable practices such as agroforestry and riparian planting can provide financial rewards while benefiting the environment. Sam emphasises the importance of understanding carbon pricing and eligibility for NZUs, outlining how they could be used in a strategic, long-term approach in farming. He highlights the challenges of navigating the ETS, but believes farmers can unlock significant opportunities by staying informed. Sam stresses that careful planning, informed decision-making, and the right support are essential to maximising the financial and environmental advantages of the ETS.</p> <p> </p> <p>Cameron Bagrie, Lead Economist at Bagrie Economics, explores what he calls the tectonic shifts in the factors underpinning economies and the way global trade is being influenced by issues now deemed to be related to national security. He focuses on how these changes impact the dairy industry, productivity challenges and currency fluctuations. Cameron emphasizes the importance of strategic adjustments in trade policy and economic performance to navigate the ever changing economic landscape.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/autumn-2025/">Buy the Dairy Exporter Autumn Issue here</a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/sign-up/"><strong>EMAIL NEWSLETTER (FREE - WEEKLY)</strong></a></p> <p><strong>SUBSCRIBE TO DAIRY EXPORTER - </strong><a href="https://dairyexporter.co.nz/shop/"><strong>MAGAZINE ($79/YR FOR 4 JOURNALS)</strong></a></p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>
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