Feed for Thought

Interested in understanding how you can mitigate feed quality losses? In this episode, Matt is joined by Shaun Body, our Portfolio Manager, and Helen France, our Hawke's Bay, Tararua & Wairarapa Area Manager, to discuss the value proposition of inoculant and how to get more value from your grass silage by minimising the drop in quality.

If you have any questions about using spring inoculants, please contact your contractor, merchant rep, or local area manager.

Join us as Jo Bills, Director for Global Insights at EverAg, breaks down the differences in supply chain dynamics, pasture-based efficiencies, and export strategies between New Zealand and Australia. Learn how Australia’s more productive cows compare to New Zealand's pasture-based herds. We also touch on greenhouse gas emissions and Fonterra's strategic manoeuvres, providing a comprehensive outlook on the unique challenges and strengths of each country's dairy sector.
  
 The discussion delves into the pressures of reducing carbon footprints amidst rising customer expectations and the potential compensations for sustainability efforts. The team also cover China’s ambition for dairy self-sufficiency and the global ripple effects of their evolving market. Southeast Asia's growing importance as a key market for New Zealand is highlighted, alongside the competitive rise of the United States in the global dairy arena. Tune in for an in-depth exploration of the trends and challenges shaping the future of the global dairy industry.

In this episode, international guest Grant Groene, the former Global Seed Agronomy Lead for Pioneer US, joins Dr. Rowland Tsimba, National Research and Agronomy Manager, Wade and Matt to delve into global agronomy and future crop development.

Together, the team discuss the process of genetic development in maize, from the rigorous testing of hybrids to the impressive yield advancements achieved in different environments. Also, they discuss the vital role of international collaboration in agriculture, the transformative power of shared knowledge, and the challenges faced by farmers worldwide. Join us for an episode packed with global insights and cutting-edge practices.

Raewyn Densley joins us to discuss AgFirst’s recent Our Land and Water funded project. Our Land and Water aims to enhance the production and productivity of New Zealand’s primary sector while maintaining and improving the quality of the country’s land and water for future generations. 

Raewyn covers the global grain market shift during the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and geopolitical tensions. She explores how these factors impact grain prices, create global shortages, and alter shipping logistics whilst spotlighting New Zealand's unique challenges and opportunities. Raewyn provides insights into how local grain production could be increased. She also discusses how many dairy farmers could grow their own feed whilst maintaining or enhancing profitability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

This episode is jam-packed with knowledge invested in the future of New Zealand’s primary sector and offers actionable strategies for increasing profitability while reducing environmental impact.

Join us as we explore the intersection between farm efficiency and reducing emissions with Malcolm Ellis, Fonterra's Strategic Advisor. Malcolm shares the difference between emissions intensity and absolute emissions and discusses Fonterra's strategic initiatives to support farmers in making impactful changes.
 
 The team balances animal efficiency and environmental sustainability by examining the contrasts in productivity and efficiency, delving into actionable strategies to enhance herd quality without reducing stocking rates. Key factors like reproductive performance, feed efficiency, and emissions intensity take centre stage, providing a roadmap for farmers to boost productivity while lowering environmental impact.
 
 The conversation also highlights the power of collaboration within the dairy sector. From rural professionals to regulatory bodies, we discuss the collective efforts needed to overcome challenges and optimize feed and pasture utilization. Reflecting on the evolution of the dairy industry, Malcolm sheds light on the wealth of data available to farmers and how leveraging new technologies is crucial for future success. 

In this episode, we delve into the pivotal role of sustainability in shaping the future of dairy farming. We are privileged to have Charlotte Rutherford, Fonterra's Director of Sustainability, join Wade and Matt in a thought-provoking discussion. Together, they explore the transformation of environmental efforts from basic compliance to tackling global sustainability challenges. 

Charlotte highlights the market's increasing demand for sustainable products and answers the question of what it takes to achieve a 30% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 and aim for near-zero emissions by 2050. She delves into Fonterra's comprehensive climate strategy and scope three objectives, emphasizing the importance of investments in projects like AgriZero and the intricate dynamics of gaining cooperative-wide support for sustainability goals. 

Tune in to understand why there is such a growing focus on sustainability and GHG emissions and how these efforts are transforming the future of dairy farming.

Join Dr. Rowland Tsimba, National Research and Agronomy Manager, Wade, and Matt as they sit down to discuss optimal plant populations and the impact this has on crop yield and quality. 

The team brings a global perspective to the discussion by comparing maize planting strategies in the United States and New Zealand. They highlight the importance of managing plant populations for silage versus grain and the value of tailoring planting decisions to your farm's environmental and soil conditions. This podcast will equip you with practical insights to make informed planting decisions in the upcoming spring.

In this episode, Lower North Island Regional Manager Mark Burke shares insight on the maize grain market opportunities and considerations. Mark delves into the pressures of regional demands, maize contracts, and pricing tactics and how these factors converge to shape the current grain market. The team discusses the methods growers use to ensure profitable sales, highlighting the significance of careful planning, especially after the recent surge in grain prices. With a focus on the challenges presented by weather and expenses, this episode covers the intricacies between supply and demand and how to best navigate the market and make informed decisions for next season.

In an episode packed with technological advancements, adaptive strategies, and a love for the agriculture industry, join Wade and Hamish as they sit down with David Wordsworth, Northland maize grain grower and cover of our 2024 grain catalogue. 

David shares the family's journey from dairy and beef farming to introducing maize into the grain industry in the 1970s. The team discusses the growth of Grain Co, which has become a symbol of self-sufficiency by reducing transport costs and supporting dairy farms with locally grown kibble maize and calf meal. We'll delve into the transition from full cultivation to the innovative no-till approach that has boosted soil health and challenged conventional beliefs around yield. 

From dairying in Otago to the Chief Executive of Pouarua Farms, an iwi-owned 2200-hectare operation in the Hauraki Plains, Jenna Smith, the cover of our 2024 Maize Silage catalogue, joins Wade and Brent Bishop, Upper North Island Regional Manager, to recount her remarkable journey. 

This episode covers the details of farming on peatlands into the larger narrative of ecological stewardship. The evolution of a 2200-hectare farm as it shifts from traditional animal husbandry to pioneering dairy practices, beef finishing, blueberry orchards and maize silage and grain operations. Jenna discusses the proactive strategies for peatland management and the exciting research initiatives on deck.