Peter McBride sees Fonterra’s proposed sale of its consumer business as a pivotal step in refocusing the co-operative’s strategy and strengthening long-term farmer returns.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with the Fonterra Chairman about the rationale behind the sale to Lactalis, what’s included in the deal, and how it aligns with the co-op’s vision to concentrate on ingredients and foodservice. He explains how the move will help sharpen Fonterra’s focus, unlock value for farmer shareholders, and position the business to compete more effectively in global markets.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Peter McBride, Chairman, Fonterra

 

Peter McBride talks about Fonterra’s strategic shift, explaining why the sale of its consumer business to Lactalis is designed to strengthen the co-op’s focus on ingredients and foodservice. He outlines how the move supports farmer returns, simplifies the business, and positions Fonterra for greater global competitiveness, while retaining strong connections to key markets and brands.

He reflects on the journey of rebuilding trust and confidence among farmers, balancing financial performance with long-term sustainability, and making complex strategic decisions underpinned by careful analysis and governance. Looking ahead, Peter says Fonterra is focused on deepening customer relationships, driving innovation in high-value products, and ensuring New Zealand dairy remains resilient and competitive on the world stage.

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Bruce Thorrold sees a wave of scientific opportunity on the horizon, with breakthroughs in methane reduction and genetic innovation set to reshape the future of New Zealand dairying.

In this episode, Anne Lee speaks with Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ’s former Chief Science Adviser, as he reflects on his career and his move into semi-retirement. Bruce shares insights from his recent presentation at the NZ Institute of Rural Professionals conference, describing a “wave of opportunity” ahead for New Zealand dairy through innovations such as methane vaccines, inhibitors, boluses and high-lipid ryegrass. 

He highlights that for new technologies to succeed, they must not only work technically but also be underpinned by viable business models and gain acceptance from consumers.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Dr Bruce Thorrold, former Chief Science Adviser at DairyNZ

 

Bruce Thorrold talks about gene technologies, how the challenges of coexistence between GM and non-GM farming could be managed, and the importance of robust stewardship. He says lessons from international examples can help shape approaches in New Zealand, ensuring both farmer choice and market assurance are achieved. He also reflects on two decades of research leadership, from improving fertility breeding values and advancing genetic gain to driving plantain adoption and nitrate leaching solutions, all underpinned by close collaboration between scientists, farmers and industry.

Looking ahead, Bruce is excited about the role science will continue to play in balancing productivity with environmental responsibility. He emphasises the importance of teamwork across research organisations, agribusiness and farmers in turning promising ideas into practical, effective solutions for the sector. As he steps back from leadership, Bruce remains optimistic about the sector’s ability to adapt, innovate and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

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Cow wearables can provide a treasure trove of information, and for South Canterbury farmer Tom Lambie, the technology has delivered some real gems that have led to big gains in productivity and performance.

In this episode of Dairy Country, Anne speaks with Tom Lambie, his contract milker Eric Tao-ey, and veterinarian Ryan Luckman about unlocking the potential of cow wearables. They share how collar data, combined with practical management and nutrition strategies, helped transform the herd’s transition, reproduction and overall performance. From improving body condition scores to smarter once-a-day tactics and heat detection, the trio reveal how technology and teamwork turned insights into results.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:

1. Tom Lambie, South Canterbury dairy farmer
2. Eric Tao-ey, Contract milker
3. Ryan Luckman, Veterinarian

 

Ryan Luckman discusses how cow wearables are transforming herd management and animal health. He explains how collar data gives farmers clearer insights into reproduction, body condition, and heat detection, allowing smarter, more proactive decisions. Ryan highlights how this technology, combined with practical nutrition and management strategies, is helping farmers reduce transition challenges, lift reproductive performance, and improve overall productivity. 

From supporting once-a-day milking to refining feeding strategies, he shows how wearables are turning information into results that benefit cows and farmers.

 

Tom Lambie and Eric Tao-ey share how adopting cow wearables has reshaped herd performance on their South Canterbury farm. They explain how collar data has supported better transition management, improved body condition, and stronger reproductive results. 

Tom and Eric explain how combining technology with disciplined once-a-day strategies and practical nutrition decisions improved animal health and farm efficiency. From identifying heat cycles more accurately to streamlining day-to-day management, they share how wearables have provided the insights needed to turn challenges into results.

 

Listen to Ryan Luckman in a previous episode of the podcast here.

Read the article from Dairy Country here.

Find out more about the Barenbrug Better Pastures Together podcast here.

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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.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Will Burrett, Chief Operating Officer, Pāmu

 

Will Burrett talks about Pāmu’s strong annual results and the strategy driving them. He explains how a sharper focus on fundamentals, regional integration, and disciplined farm systems has delivered improvements in both financial and physical performance. Will also outlines the growth of Pāmu’s beef-on-dairy programme and its role in creating more value across the supply chain, alongside the company’s increasing use of genetics, technology and wearable tools to support animal health and productivity. 

From managing drought challenges in Taupō to achieving record six-week in-calf rates and scaling calf rearing at Exeter, Will highlights how staying disciplined on the basics while embracing innovation is shaping Pāmu’s future direction.

 

Find out more about the Barenbrug Better Pastures Together podcast here.

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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.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:

1. Jonathan Mason, New Zealand United States Council Chairman, Zespri Independent Director.
2. Emma Higgins, Rabobank Senior Agriculture Analyst.

 

Jonathan Mason talks to Anne Lee at the NZIPIM conference about new US tariffs, their potential effects on New Zealand exporters, why impacts differ across sectors, and how changing trade dynamics could create opportunities with markets such as India, the EU and the UK. He also discusses global geopolitical tensions—from Ukraine to East Asia—and, as  a former Fonterra Chief Financial Officer, shares his perspective on Fonterra’s strategic direction, including its focus on ingredients and food service and returning capital to farmers. 

He reflects on his career after Fonterra, and his governance roles with Zespri, Air New Zealand, Westpac and Vector, as well as his more recent not-for-profit work with the NZ US Council and the University of Auckland.

 

Emma Higgins speaks about the concept of “business as unusual” in a rapidly changing global environment. She explains how geopolitical shifts, rising protectionism, and market uncertainty are reshaping trade, supply chains, and opportunities for New Zealand farmers. 

Emma explores what these changes mean for dairy and beef markets, highlighting how global supply, China’s domestic milk production, and strong demand across Asia are influencing milk prices and farmgate returns. She discusses supply trends and that the focus is now on New Zealand’s seasonal production as well as beef-on-dairy opportunities, alternative income streams for US dairy farmers, and the practical lessons for New Zealand producers navigating volatile markets. The conversation emphasises the need for clear-eyed analysis, strategic thinking, and seizing opportunity in uncertain times.

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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.

Host:

• Sarah Perriam-Lampp, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Dairy Country

Guest:

• William Morrison, Morrison Farming

 

William Morrison talks to Sarah Perriam-Lampp about the history and evolution of Morrison Farming, a family business that has become a leader in beef-on-dairy genetics through its Ezicalve programme. He describes how decades of performance recording and selective breeding have created cattle that combine low birth weight and easy calving with high growth rates and strong carcass traits.

He shares the lessons learned from working alongside dairy farmers under pressure, and why Morrison Farming has always prioritised genetics that reduce stress and support practical, on-farm results. With cattle now supplying dairy and beef operations across New Zealand and overseas, William explains how customer needs and science-based breeding have shaped the family’s approach.

The conversation also explores the resilience required to maintain a long-term vision, how Morrison Farming has adapted to the rise of beef-on-dairy, and what farmers can expect from the upcoming Aro Hereford sale on 23 September.

 

Find the Morrison Farming catalogue and sale information here: 

https://i4.abri.au/online/cgi-bin/i4.dll?1=3538292F&2=2928&3=56&5=2B3C2B3C3A&11=515E505D

 

Find out more about Morrison Farming here: https://morrisonfarming.co.nz/

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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.

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Holly and Aaron Jackson, Sharemilkers, North Canterbury

 

Holly and Aaron Jackson talk to Anne Lee about the tough lessons they learned when mastitis hit their herd early in their sharemilking career in North Canterbury. They describe how rising cell counts and constant pressure to treat cows created huge stress and financial strain, forcing them to rethink the way they approached herd management. They looked to an innovative solution for identifying pathogens at a quarter level that meant connecting directly with microbiologists. That enabled them to gain a much clearer picture of what was happening in their herd and gave them the confidence to make faster, more targeted decisions and begin regaining control of milk quality.

They explain the practical systems they’ve developed since, including incubating their own samples, refining calving management, and implementing on farm protocols that support both prevention and treatment. These changes have not only reduced mastitis dramatically but have also led to consistently low somatic cell counts and recognition through multiple awards.

The conversation also delves into the resilience it took to keep going during difficult times, the mindset shift that allowed them to see challenges as opportunities, and how sharing their experiences has encouraged other farmers to take a more proactive approach. Holly and Aaron highlight that improving herd health is not about one big change, but a series of deliberate, practical steps that build towards long-term success, profitability, and pride in producing high-quality milk.

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Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guest:

• Dr. Jason Archer, Head of Genetics, Beef + Lamb NZ

 

Jason Archer talks to Anne Lee about the need for better integration of beef genetics into the dairy sector to create a more profitable and sustainable system for both dairy and beef farmers. He explains that tracking calf performance, genetics, and management practices along the value chain can help identify high-performing calves and ensure that value stays with them.

He highlights the need for stable markets and collaborative approaches between dairy and beef sectors, noting that success requires both industries to work together to make calf rearing economically viable year after year. Practical tools such as recorded bulls, beef semen, and improved data flow are outlined to support farmer decision-making and long-term planning.

The conversation also covers the potential for new opportunities within this emerging sector, including the benefits of lower carbon emissions for the final beef product.

 

Find out more about nProve here: https://nprove.nz/#/home

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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.

 

Host:

• Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country

Guests:

1. Andrea Dixon, General Manager, Southern Dairy Hub
2. Dawn Dalley, Senior Scientist, DairyNZ

 

Andrea Dixon, General Manager of the Southern Dairy Hub in Southland, is overseeing the commercial scale, 349ha research dairy farm where a series of farm trials are running that are designed to test dairy systems which can remain profitable while reducing environmental impact. The farm is running a comparison between a standard herd and a high-genetic-merit, lower-stocked “future” herd to assess whether fewer, more productive cows can deliver better results.

She explains that the Hub’s ability to have research that’s farmer-led and grounded in the realities of operating a commercial dairy farm can benefit Southern dairy farmers. By connecting scientists, industry and farmers, Andrea says it’s possible to fast-track the adoption of innovations that improve efficiency, animal welfare and environmental outcomes.

She also outlines HubWatch, the farm’s weekly, online glimpse into the research and happenings at the Southern Dairy Hub which not only gives farmers up to date data but shares real time decision making processes as the farm’s management deals with local climatic variations and seasonal management situations. 

The farm’s focus on technology, use of drones to establish plantain and beef-on-dairy breeding policy for non-replacement calves are also discussed.

 

Senior Scientist Dawn Dalley is leading research at the Southern Dairy Hub in Southland to test future-focused dairy systems that balance profitability with environmental stewardship. Drawing on her extensive experience in pasture management and farm systems science, Dawn is comparing a standard herd with a high-genetic-merit, lower-stocked “future” herd to see whether fewer cows can deliver more milk with less impact.

She provides results from early stages of the studies and talks about the differences in wintering with the “future” herd wintered on pasture and balage. Dawn explains some of the interesting results from varying break sizes and outlines some of the management findings. The first milking season’s results show the “future” farm had higher per cow production and used less supplementary feed but due to the lower stocking rate, produced  150kg milksolids (MS) per hectare less. Environmental impact and financial data will also be analysed and reported on.

Passionate about bridging the gap between research and real-world farming, Dawn works closely with southern farmers to ensure findings are reported on in a practical, relevant, and farmer-driven way. She sees the Hub as a proving ground for innovations that could reshape how southern dairy farms operate, making them more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible for the future.

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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.

 

Hosts:

1. Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country
2. Sarah Perriam-Lampp, Editor in Chief, Country-Wide
3. Sheryl Haitana

Guest:

1. LeAnne Blakelock, Taranaki dairy farmer

 

Taranaki dairy farmer and former corporate accountant LeAnne Blakelock is rethinking the role of non-replacement calves in New Zealand’s dairy sector, launching a rose veal brand that turns a perceived byproduct into a high welfare, premium meat. Drawing on her background in food production and financial analysis, LeAnne has developed a system that combines sexed semen, nominated beef genetics and accelerated growth programmes to maximise productivity from her Jersey cross herd without compromising animal wellbeing.

She explains how a focus on epigenetics, low stress environments and transparent supply chains has allowed her to rear calves through to six month carcasses of 130 to 140kg, with most of the meat sold through niche channels like gourmet butchers and high end restaurants. Alongside on-farm innovation, LeAnne is a passionate advocate for better calf rearing education, having learned the hard way through years of trial, error and personal stress. Her platform Calf Chronicles now offers practical advice and peer support for rearers around the country.

LeAnne also shares her insights into mental health in rural communities, drawing from her volunteer work with the Taranaki Retreat. She highlights the importance of building social networks and industrywide empathy, particularly during the demanding calving season. Looking ahead, she sees opportunity in closer collaboration between the dairy and beef sectors, more equitable value chains and the use of contracts to reduce volatility. She is calling for mature, solutions focused conversations to unlock the full potential of dairy beef in New Zealand.

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