Talking Dairy

In this episode of Talking Dairy, DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker breaks down the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report, which captures the standout results from the 2024/25 season. You’ll hear how farmers produced record milk volumes from fewer cows, lifted productivity to new highs, and helped drive export earnings to more than $27 billion.

Campbell explains what’s behind the numbers, why the sector’s fundamentals are strong, and how the current season is tracking. If you want a quick, straight-talking snapshot of how dairy is really performing — and why your work continues to underpin the New Zealand economy — this episode is for you.

Download the State of the Dairy Nation Pulse Report

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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 

Recorded live at the Precision Dairy Farming Conference 2025 in Ōtautahi Christchurch, this episode features Craig Piggott, founder and CEO of Halter. 

Craig shares how he went from working at Rocket Lab to building virtual fencing technology that’s transforming pasture-based farming. He explains how Halter’s technology gives farmers precise control over grazing, lifts productivity, and creates more flexibility whether the goal is higher profit or better work–life balance. 

From early prototypes tested on his parents’ farm to a 300+ strong team and international growth, this is a story about grit, farmer-led innovation, and what precision tech could unlock next for dairy farm systems. 

View the conference highlights, proceedings and 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 

Heat stress is a growing challenge on our dairy farms, and the impact on your farm could be bigger than you think. In this episode, you’ll hear how DairyNZ’s summer trial at Scott Farm is testing common mitigation tools, and assessing their return on investment, to find the best solutions.

Animal scientist Dr Charlotte Reed and senior animal care specialist Jac McGowan break down the research and share their early insights and observations from the trials. They also share current information and practical solutions you can use right now to keep your cows comfortable and productive in the heat.

Heat Stress research and current information

DairyNZ invests in heat stress research to give you evidence behind the solutions that improve cow comfort, protect performance, and support sustainable, future‑ready farm systems.

Read more about heat stress research in action at DairyNZ

Get current information for reducing heat stress in your dairy cows

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, Northland farmer and DairyNZ associate director Greg Collins shares an inside look at his year in the role, as the search for the next associate director to join the DairyNZ Board gets underway.  

If you’re a dairy farmer who’s ready to grow your governance skills and contribute to the dairy sector, this episode offers some great insights into what you need to know.  

Greg is the 15th associate director on DairyNZ’s Board, since the initiative was introduced in 2013. The associate directorship is a one-year position that offers levy-paying farmers the chance to get first-hand governance experience.   

Find out about the DairyNZ associate director role and how to apply 

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 the right structure, tools, and communication, contract milking and variable order sharemilking agreements become pathways for equity growth and stronger farm businesses. 

This episode brings you practical insights on what makes those agreements successful for both parties.

DairyNZ senior business specialist Paul Bird, and contract milker Hayden Scott, share their experience and insights on aspects such as setting fair rates, managing cashflow in your first season, and having conversations that build trust. 

They also explore the expectations and pressures on each side, and how to align them so the business relationship stays strong over time.

Learn more about contract milking

Learn more about setting up a contract milking agreement

Download the DairyNZ Contract Milking Premium Calculator. 

A monthly cashflow budget takes your annual cash budget and spreads your income and expenses across the year giving you a month-by-month basis picture. 

Enrol in a Dairy Training Contract Milking Course

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 

Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.  

In this episode, you’ll hear from Teagasc researchers Dr Bernadette O’Brien and Dr Lisa Parce, who share what Ireland’s pasture-based farmers are doing with precision technology. How are Irish farmers making tech decisions, what motivates them to adopt new tools, and which technologies are becoming more common? Bernadette and Lisa also break down the social and farm-system factors linked to higher adoption, from herd size and labour needs, to environmental regulations and pasture management. 

View the conference highlights, proceedings and 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 

Artificial intelligence is suddenly everywhere — including on dairy farms.

In this episode, you’ll hear from DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Callum Eastwood and Perrin Ag senior consultant Rachel Durie, who have just completed a report on how dairy farmers are using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

They share what they found, including examples of how farmers are already using GenAI, what’s working well, the risks to watch for, and the opportunities ahead.

Find out more about the research into GenAI use on dairy farms & read the report.

How are you using GenAI tools on your farm? Take our short survey.

Ready to try it? Try DairyNZ's DAiSY tool on the homepage or find out more here.

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 

Experience the energy and insights from the 2025 Precision Dairy Farming Conference.  

This episode features Sharn Roskam and Stuart Taylor, who were part of the farmer panel. Sharn farms in Winton, Southland, with her husband and four children, milking 600 cows on a 280-hectare self-contained system. Stu is a fifth-generation dairy farmer and General Manager of Farming at Craigmore Sustainables, overseeing 20 dairy farms and 16,000 cows across Canterbury and North Otago. He combines strong farming fundamentals with a focus on people, sustainability, and smart adoption of proven innovations. 

They talk openly about their wins, challenges, and lessons learned from adopting different farm technologies. They also share how technology can improve efficiency and work-life balance – while acknowledging it isn’t a quick fix.  

View the conference highlights, proceedings and 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 

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]

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 

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]

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