Facial eczema is one of the toughest animal health challenges facing livestock farmers. It’s estimated to cost the dairy and red meat sectors $330 million in lost production every year. As summer gets hotter and more humid, the risk rises – and research shows it’s not just a North Island problem. 

In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with two experts who bring both science and practical know-how. Dr Cara Brosnahan, principal scientist at Beef + Lamb New Zealand, leads the Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts research programme. She explains what the team is learning about the disease, with results from a recent farmer survey and what solutions this research will deliver for farmers in the future. Mitch Cooper, DairyNZ senior technical and policy advisor and former dairy vet, shares practical steps to prevent facial eczema, from monitoring spore counts to planning zinc supplementation

Find out more about the research - B+LNZ Eliminating Facial Eczema Impacts programme 

View DairyNZ information about facial eczema 

Download the DairyNZ Facial Eczema Management Guide 

Get the 7 Steps to Managing Facial Eczema Using Zinc 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

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Whether you joined us in Christchurch or couldn’t make it, this episode is your chance to relive the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference. Hear from Dr Nicolas Lyons, Dr Callum Eastwood, and Dr Jenny Jago as they reflect on the event. 

If you were there, you’ll enjoy revisiting the highlights and hearing what stood out. If you missed it, you’ll get to hear from a range of speakers, their research and the ideas shaping the future of dairy. 

This conversation kicks off the Precision Dairy Farming podcast series, packed with practical insights from farmers, researchers, and innovators.  

View the highlights, proceedings and more from the conference here 

Meet the scientists: 

Dr Nicolas Lyons
Dr Callum Eastwood 
Dr Jenny Jago 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

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More farmers listened to this episode in 2025 than any other. Tune in to find out why it was so popular... 

What does it take to build a top herd? South Taranaki farmers Donovan Croot and Sophie Cookson started strong with a high Breeding Worth (BW) herd. But reaching the top 1% for BW in the country? That took smart decisions and a clear plan to drive genetic gain. 

In this episode, Donovan and Sophie share how they've achieved their results and the highlights from the joint DairyNZ and Fonterra event they hosted with DairyNZ area manager Talissa Squire. 

Did you know?
More Progressing Dairy events on improving genetic gain are coming in 2026. Find one near you.

Get the DairyNZ tools and resources mentioned in this episode: 

• Breeding Worth - DairyNZ | DairyNZ 
• Tools - Animal Herd Averages | DairyNZ 
• Bull Search - DairyNZ | DairyNZ 
• Bull Team - DairyNZ | DairyNZ 
• Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) | DairyNZ 
• InCalf reproduction gap calculator - DairyNZ | DairyNZ 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy, we unpack the findings of the most in-depth independent return on investment (ROI) ever – commissioned by DairyNZ to provide farmers with more transparency. 

Join host Jac McGowan as she talks with Dr Alan Pearson from Nimmo Bell, the independent analysts behind the report, and DairyNZ Chair Tracy Brown, who commissioned the work.

They explain:

• How $341 million in levy revenue delivered an estimated $2.98 billion in value for farmers between 2020 and 2025.
• Which initiatives delivered the biggest returns.
• Why collective investment is critical to keep dairy competitive and ready for the future.
• What DairyNZ is doing differently to ensure we’re focused on what matters to farmers.

If you’ve ever wondered “What's the return on my levy investment?”, this episode gives you the answer and the facts.

About the milksolids levy

Summary of report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers 

Report into DairyNZ levy ROI to farmers 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, animal scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks explains how research using wearable technology is building a deeper understanding of cow wellbeing and their experience in pasture-based systems.

Hear how scientists are combining a mix of tech and data in innovative ways to enhance research into animal care as they aim to uncover how cows respond to heat stress and other challenges, and test strategies like shade and sprinklers to see what really works. The goal? To create science-based solutions that help farmers confidently manage cow comfort and productivity more effectively in the future. 

How to support positive welfare in your cows 

Find out more about Heat Stress in Cows research

Read more about this research in Inside Dairy November-January 2026

Meet the scientist: Stacey Hendriks

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

Every minute in the farm dairy counts. Research shows the right milking routine can save you hours every week. In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac McGowan chats with Dairy Training tutors Julie Morgan and Pete Morgan about how small changes at milking can make a big difference.

They explain how the free MilkSmart workshop can help you fine-tune your milking routine using proven DairyNZ science including MaxT, which can shave minutes off every milking, and in some cases over three hours per week.

If you’d like to know how you could get time back in your day, tune in to hear more and then check out Dairy Training to find a MilkSmart workshop near you.

MilkSmart - Dairy Training

About Dairy Training

Dairy Training is a subsidiary of DairyNZ and registered NZQA provider. With funding from the Tertiary Education Commission and support from DairyNZ, it delivers free training to help farmers build capability.

Courses are expertly designed, teaching practical skills farmers can use immediately. Dairy Training also delivers popular DairyNZ-designed workshops such as MilkSmart and CalvingSmart

Check out dairytraining.co.nz to find courses and workshops available near you.

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

How is the great animal care already happening on your farm helping New Zealand dairy stay ahead of global market expectations?

In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore why animal care matters for New Zealand’s dairy competitiveness and how farmers have helped shape DairyNZ’s research right from the start.

You’ll hear from Penny Timmer-Arends and Dr Stacey Hendriks as they explain what markets and consumers are asking for, how NZ compares internationally, and what influences cow comfort and welfare in our pasture-based farm systems.

Penny and Stacey also discuss the challenges to good cow welfare that farmers are managing, like heat stress, comfortable lying surfaces and seasonal staffing pressure. They explain how current DairyNZ research – including work using wearable tech – is building better insights into how cows experience their environment, so farmers can make informed decisions, and our sector can stay future-ready.

This episode gives you a practical overview of where animal care expectations are heading and the science that supports farmers to stay ahead.

Links to more information mentioned in this episode:

Animal Welfare - DairyNZ | DairyNZ

Research - Science Projects - Heat Stress | DairyNZ

Research - Science Projects - United States Mega Dairies | DairyNZ

The development of a tool to assess cow quality of life based on system-level attributes across pastoral dairy farms - ScienceDirect

Download the Preventing and managing lameness guide 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy in 10, host Jac McGowan chats with Noldy Rust, Chair of SMASH (Smaller Milk and Supply Herds), and Frank Portegys from DairyNZ, about how this grassroots initiative is helping farmers connect, learn, and grow stronger businesses together.

SMASH began as a local idea to celebrate and support smaller herd farmers. Partnering with DairyNZ, it’s grown into a nationwide network, offering practical learning open to everyone.

Find out what’s coming up on the SMASH calendar and what to expect when you head along to their events (we also heard there might be a good lunch there too).

Learn more about SMASH or find an event: SMASH NZ

About DairyNZ collaboration with sector partners

At DairyNZ, we work alongside trusted partners to stretch your levy further, supporting better farming, stronger communities, and a more resilient dairy sector. These partnerships aren’t just about funding. We roll up our sleeves too, offering time, tools and expertise to help deliver what matters most to farmers. By collaborating with sector leaders, we make an impact where it counts – reducing duplication, promoting better farming practices, and maintaining our independence and credibility. Together, we’re building a future that’s practical and inclusive, and maintains our competitive edge. Partnerships with organisations like SMASH reflect our shared commitment to delivering real value for New Zealand dairy farmers. Together, we’re shaping a sector that’s connected, capable and ready for the future. Find out more about DairyNZ partnerships.  

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

With Fonterra’s sale of global consumer and associated businesses, Mainland Group, to Lactalis now approved, many shareholder farmers will soon receive a sizeable capital return, alongside strong milk prices. So, what’s the smartest move when opportunity knocks?

In this episode of Talking Dairy, Jac McGowan talks with financial commentator Martin Hawes and MBS Advisors director and rural accountant Nigel McWilliam about how to make confident, practical decisions that strengthen both your farm and your family’s future. From paying down debt to investing off-farm - or simply taking a well-earned break - they share grounded, no-nonsense advice on how to plan for the long term, reduce pressure, and make choices that fit your goals.

Thank you to Martin and Nigel for joining us on this episode. Find out more about them below:

Martin Hawes

MBS Advisors

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Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected

In this episode of Talking Dairy, we explore the latest DairyBase upgrades that make benchmarking faster and easier. 

DairyBase, our farm benchmarking tool, now connects with Farm Focus – and soon with tools like MINDA and Fonterra – so your financial and herd data flows in with just a few clicks. That means quicker cashflow reports, timely insights, and less time at your desk. 

Hear from DairyBase manager (and dairy farmer) Jodie Goudswaard, and South Waikato and Lower Waipa area manager Steph Gudgeon – also a dairy farmer and long-time DairyBase user – about how these integrations are already making a difference. 

Log in to DairyBase 

Not already with DairyBase? 

Find out more about DairyBase 

Why join DairyBase? 

Join DairyBase now 

Have feedback or ideas for future episodes? Email us at [email protected]

Connect with DairyNZ

Stay up to date with advice, latest research, tools and resources. Read, browse, scroll, listen, or be there in person. Visit dairynz.co.nz/get-connected