Talking Dairy

When a cow goes down, a clear plan helps you act early, support her recovery and keep your team moving during one of the busiest times of the season.

In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Mitch Cooper shares what to do when a cow goes down, how to spot when things are changing, and why clear communication can make a real difference at calving.

You’ll also learn about the “pattern of two” — a simple way to know when to reassess, ask for help, or take a closer look at your transition cow care.

It’s a useful listen if you want to support better cow recovery, reduce pressure on your team and make clear decisions during calving.

View the latest information on down cow management 

Like this episode? You might also like these:

• Down cow care: Thriving after calving: Key cow care and recovery tips | Ep. 82 | DairyNZ
• New transition cow advice: Transition cow care advice and what rumination data tells us | 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 

You don’t need all the answers to start thinking about what comes next.

Recorded live at People Expo, this Talking Dairy In 10 episode puts progression and succession in the spotlight, with Jac McGowan joined by Greg Duncan from Dairy Australia.

Whether you’re thinking about your own next step, the future of your farm business, or the people coming through, this short episode is a good starting point for those important conversations.

Find out more about People Expo 

Listen to 2026 People Expo keynote speaker James Laughlin’s Talking Dairy In 10 episode 

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 

Power costs continue to rise, and a lot of farmers are asking the same question: could solar work on my farm?

In this episode, you’ll hear from Chris McArthur from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) Solar on Farms programme and Rhys Mackenzie, a dairy farmer who’s making the move to solar on his farm. Together, they talk through what solar and batteries can realistically do on a dairy farm, where they add value, and what you need to think about before you invest.

You’ll get independent advice from Chris McArthur, alongside practical on-farm insight from Rhys Mackenzie as he shares what sparked the decision, what surprised him, and what he’d tell other farmers thinking about solar.

Find out more:

• Read the farm case study: Fairbank Farms
• Watch Fairbank Farms' experience with solar on farm 
• Sign up to find out about EECA Solar on farms news and open days
• Read: Practical guidance for solar on farms | Inside Dairy
• Solar power on-farm information | DairyNZ

EECA Solar helpline for farmers

A dedicated solar helpline for farmers and growers, providing independent, practical guidance to help you make informed decisions. Call the team on 0800 300 643, or email us at [email protected] 

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 

El Niño is getting a lot of attention, but what could it mean for your farm this season? In this episode, we cut through the noise with WeatherWatch’s Philip Duncan and farm systems expert Steve Veix. They share what to keep an eye on and where to focus your planning, so you’re better prepared for whatever the season brings.

Find out more: Plan ahead for El Nino | DairyNZ

Weather channels:

• Rural Weather
• WeatherWatch
• NIWA Weather 
• MetService - Te Ratonga Tirorangi
• New Zealand Weather Forecasts

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 

Earlier this year, Hinehou Timutimu was named the 2026 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year and became the first Māori woman to receive the award. But this episode is about more than an award. It is about the whānau, whenua, values and experiences that shaped her, the doors that were opened for her, and the doors she now wants to open for others. With Brooke Sinclair and Jac McGowan, she reflects on leadership, belonging, courage and what becomes possible when you stay true to who you are.

Watch more:

• Te Karere 
• Pūkāea 

Read more:

• Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year 2026 Announced - Dairy Women's Network
• New Zealand Farm Environment Trust – Hinehou as a 2023 finalist
• Te Tawa Kaiti Lands Trust – Learn about the trust Hinehou leads as General Manager and its work.

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 

Waiuku dairy farmer, and Dairy Environment Leader, Stu Muir has spent years restoring waterways, protecting the land and helping reconnect people with the Lower Waikato River Delta.

In this episode of Talking Dairy In 10, Stu shares what inspired him to take action on his farm and across the Mangati Stream catchment, where once degraded, weed-choked waterways are now thriving ecosystems.

Stu was recently recognised with the first Kaitiaki Award at the Dairy Environment Leaders Forum, honouring his commitment to environmental restoration, kaitiakitanga and community leadership.

Hear how Stu’s practical, persistent approach has helped restore waterways, open up a public walkway and build momentum for positive change through the Dairy Environment Leaders network.

Are you ready to be a Dairy Environment Leader? Find out more.

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 

The weeks around calving can have a big influence on cow health, production and reproductive performance. In this episode, DairyNZ scientist Dr Stacey Hendriks and dairy cattle vet Ryan Luckman discuss the latest advice on transition cow care, including DairyNZ’s updated feeding guidance for springers at target body condition score. 

They also look at the role of rumination data and wearables — what they can show you, where their limits are, and how they can support better decisions when used alongside good feed management, stockmanship and knowledge of your own herd. 

Read more: Transition cows | 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 

Are you thinking about what’s next for you or your farm business? 

Planning the next stage in dairy farming is unique to you. Honest conversations and the right tools can bring clarity and arm you with the confidence to move forward. 

In this episode, high-performance coach and People Expo 2026 headline speaker James Laughlin shares a preview of what he’ll cover at this year’s events. He talks about what can hold us back, how to work through it, and how high-performance leadership can help transform your life and business.

He also touches on what holds us back and practical ways to manage this – a snapshot of what he’ll be sharing at the event.

If you’re a farm owner, farm manager, contract milker, sharemilker or equity partner, join us at People Expo to explore your next stage and how to get there.

Find out more and register here.

 People Expo 2026 locations and dates:

• Palmerston North - Tuesday 16 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
• Te Awamutu - Thursday 18 June, 10.30am-2.30pm
• Invercargill - Tuesday 30 June, 12.00pm-4.00pm
• Dunsandel - Thursday 2 July, 12.00pm-4.00pm

Hosted by DairyNZ and Dairy Women's Network

Find out more about James Laughlin

Check out to James’ podcast – Habits of High Performers

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 

Are you feeding your calves enough to unlock their full potential?

In this episode, you’ll hear what the latest research says about early calf nutrition, and why feeding more milk before weaning can help your heifers hit growth targets sooner and produce more milk later. 

You’ll also hear from Canterbury farmer Cam Henderson, who’s made the shift to ad-lib feeding. He shares what’s changed, what surprised him, and how the costs stacked up. 

But this isn’t just about ad-lib systems. DairyNZ’s senior animal care specialist Penny Timmer-Arends shares other feeding approaches that achieve similar results. She discusses the principles behind calf growth, and how to weigh up the trade-offs and choose what fits your farm. You’ll also hear about the risks and how to manage them.

Download the Calf Rearing guide

Feeding milk to calves | DairyNZ

Read more:

‘Feeding more often feels natural and important to me’ | DairyNZ

Good as gold: the calves who feed themselves | DairyNZ

Laying the right foundation | DairyNZ

Inside Dairy - More milk, healthier calves, stronger heifers | 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 

Winter will test your system, but a clear plan helps you stay in control. In this episode, DairyNZ Environment Manager Justin Kitto shares practical advice to help you set up a winter grazing plan that works when conditions turn. You’ll hear why putting a written plan in place matters, and how simple practices like back-fencing and smart water placement can protect your paddocks and improve cow comfort. 

Justin covers how to make your plan work by involving your team and keeping it visible, so everyone knows what to do and when to act. He explains what to watch in your cows and your soil, including early signs that conditions are slipping, and why acting early protects lying time and overall cow wellbeing. You’ll also learn how having a Plan B helps you stay ahead of wet weather and keeps your system on track. 

Get practical steps to manage winter grazing, protect cow condition and make decisions under pressure. When you’ve done the thinking upfront, you’re prepared to act quickly and confidently to deliver good outcomes for your cows, your people and your farm system.

Get information on wintering and animal care

Get the DairyNZ Winter Grazing Plan template

Get the poster - What to look out for in winter 

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